Side Effects of Herbs and Supplements

Side Effects of Herbs

For thousands of years plants have been used to ease the suffering from every kind of ache and pain. In modern times this practice is known by many names: herbalism, traditional medicinal, folk medicine, botanical medicine, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology, and phytotherapy. See examples of Herbal Remedies here.

This forum explores the side effects and adverse events that result from using herbs and supplements for medicine. These are the countraindications, warnings, drug/herb interactions and side effects that you should be aware of before using these supplements.

Natural health supplements and herbs are added to this list of herbs by request so if you have a favorite, let us know and we will do the research for you.

Herbs and Natural health Supplements

The following table is color coded. A green background indicates no side effects. A yellow background indicates a high number of warnings or side effects. Click on the name of the herb to read about the side effects and warnings.

Herbs/SupplementsNumber of WarningsNumber of Side Effects
Acidophilus23
Aconite36
Agar55
Alfalfa83
Aloe Vera86
Andrographis47
Angelica Root49
Astragalus Root30
Basil50
Bay Leaf33
Bearberry74
Bilberry80
Bitter melon43
Black Cohosh46
Borage Oil43
Boswellia40
Buckthorn99
Burdock root31
Calendula40
Castor Oil35
Catnip76
Cat’s Claw103
Cayenne Pepper56
Chamomile31
Chaparral25
Chia21
Chondroitin40
Chromium87
Cinnamon60
Cloves20
Co-enzyme Q1095
Coffee105
Cola tree114
Coltsfoot63
Coriander31
Creatine52
Cucumber34
Dandelions60
Devil’s Claw48
DHEA415
Echinacea68
Ephedra1216
Eucalyptus127
Evening Primrose Oil74
Fenugreek55
Feverfew24
Flax Seed94
Garlic45
Ginger85
Ginkgo Biloba66
Ginseng1012
Glucomannan94
Glucosamine58
Goldenseal132
Gotu Kola33
Grape Seed Extract28
Green Tea914
Guarana1813
Hawthorn56
Hops113
Horseradish53
Jamaican dogwood102
Jimson Weed622
Juniper43
Karaya Gum20
Kava117
Kelp52
Khat117
Lavender Oil67
Lemon Balm45
Licorice84
Lysine23
Marshmallow50
Melatonin913
Milk Thistle35
Mistletoe75
Myrtle33
Mullein20
Nettle64
Nutmeg – Mace50
Parsley40
Peppermint26
Pill-bearing Spurge94
Pineapple26
Poplar30
Poppy Seeds36
Quinine95
Raspberry32
Rosemary70
Rue44
Sage69
SAM-e411
Saw Palmetto74
Senna74
Soy185
St. John’s Wort206
Tribulus Terrestris22
Thyme30
Turmeric
(Tumeric, Curcumin)
40
Valerian610
Vitex Agnus Castus
(Chaste tree)
43
Wintergreen38
Witch Hazel24
Yarrow93
Yerba Mate52
Yohimbe913

* A green background indicates no side effects. A yellow background indicates a high number of warnings or side effects.

For questions and answers about the side effects of herbs see the Herb Forum

Last post: August 27, 2017

Related Articles


If you find this page useful share it with others. Use the form below to request research on your favorite herb. Please note that all addresses are held confidential.