Herbal Alternatives

Ailment Commonly Prescribed Pharmaceutical Herbal Option
Acne Retin-A, Tetracycline Tea Tree (external); Calendula
Allergies Synthetic Antihistamines quercetin  and black seed (nigella sativa)
Anxiety Ativan, Xanax, Klonopin Hops, Kava-kava, Valerian (found in PowerSleep), St.John’sWort (found in Sunnie),
Arthritic Pain Tylenol, other NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Cayenne (external); Celery Seed, Ginger, Turmeric
Athlete’s Food Griseofulvin Tea Tree (external); Garlic
Boils Erythromycin Tea Tree, Slippery Elm (both external)
BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) Hytrin, Proscar Saw Palmetto, Evening Primrose
Body Odor, Perspiration Commercial Deodorants, Antiperspirants Coriander, Sage
Bronchitis Atropine Echinacea (found in PowerMate), Garlic (found in PowerVites)
Bruises Analgesics Arnica, St. John’s wort (found in Sunnie), Yarrow, Plantain (all external)
Burns Silvadene Cream Aloe (external)
Colds Decongestants Echinacea (found in PowerMate), Ginger, Lemon Balm, Garlic (Garlic is found in PowerVites)
Constipation Laxative Flaxseed (found in Signal369), Psyllium
Cuts, Scrapes, Abscesses Topical Antibiotics Tea Tree, Calendula, Plantain (all external)
Mild Depression Prozac, Elavil, Trazodone, Zoloft St. John’s wort (found in Sunnie)
Diarrhea Imodium, Lomotil Bilberry (found in Diabetiks), Raspberry
Dysmenorrhea (painful menstruation) Naprosyn Kava-kava, Raspberry
Earache Antibiotics Echinacea (found in PowerMate), Garlic (Garlic is found in PowerVites)
Eczema (itchy rash) Corticosteroids Chamomile
Atopic Eczema (allergy-related rash) Corticosteroids, Sedatives, Antihistamines Evening Primrose
Flu Tylenol Echinacea (found in PowerMate), Elderberry
Gas Mylanta, Gaviscon, Simethicone Dill, Fennel, Peppermint
Gingivitis (gum inflammation) Peridex Chamomile, Echinacea (found in PowerMate), Sage
Halitosis (bad breath) Listerine Cardamom, Parsley, Peppermint
Hay Fever Antihistamines, Decongestants Stinging Nettle
Headache Aspirin, other NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Peppermint (external); Feverfew, Willow
Heartburn Pepto-Bismol, Tums Angelica, Chamomile, Peppermint
Hemorrhoids Tucks Plantain, Witch Hazel (both external)
Hepatitis Interferon Dandelion, Milk Thistle, Turmeric
Herpes Acyclovis Lemon Balm
High Cholesterol Mevacor Garlic (found in PowerVites)
Hives Benadryl Stinging Nettle
Indigestion Antacids, Reglan Chamomile, Ginger, Peppermint
Insomnia Halcion, Ativan Chamomile, Hops, Lemon Balm, Valerian (found in PowerSleep), Kava-kava, Evening Primrose
Irregularity Metamucil Flaxseed (found in Signal369), Plantain, Senna
Low Back Pain Aspirin, Analgesics Cayenne (external); Thyme
Male Pattern Baldness Rogaine Saw Palmetto
Migraine Cafergot,Sumatriptan, Verapamil Feverfew
Motion Sickness Dramamine Ginger
Nail Fungus Ketoconazole Tea Tree (external)
Night Blindness Vitamin A Bilberry (found in Diabetiks)
PMS NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), Diuretics, Analgesics Chaste Tree, Evening Primrose
Rhinitis (nasal inflammation) Cromolyn, Vancenase Echinacea (found in PowerMate)
Shingles Acyclovir Cayenne (external): Lemon Balm
Sprain NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Arnica, Calendula
Stress Diazepam Kava-kava, Valerian (found in PowerSleep)
Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) Steroids Ginkgo (found in Power Mate Sunnie and Diabetiks)
Toothache NSAIDS (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) Cloves, Willow
Urinary Tract Infections Sulfa Drugs Cranberry, Stinging Nettle
Vaginitis Clindamycin, Flagyl Garlic (found in PowerVites), Goldenseal (found in PowerMate)

The following are recommendations for Using Herbal Alternatives by Dr. James A. Duke in the book, “What the labels won’t tell you” by Logan Chamberlain, PH.D.

Make sure of the diagnosis.  Self-diagnosis is a risky business, and best left to well-trained physicians.  Once you’re confident of a diagnosis, though, then discuss with your physician how to treat it:  drugs, herbs, some combination of the two, or any of the foregoing plus diet, exercise, and lifestyle changes.

Watch out for side effects.. If you have an unpleasant reaction to an herb, such as dizziness, nausea, or headache, cut back on your dosage or stop taking the herb.  Listen to your body.  If the herb doesn’t feel right, don’t take it.

Beware of interactions.  Pharmaceutical medication sometimes interact badly with each other and with certain foods.  The same goes for herbal medicines.  Always be particularly careful when taking more than one drug or herb or a combination of a drug and herb.  If you suspect a bad interaction, consult your physician or pharmacist.

If you’re pregnant, take special precautions.  As a general rule, you shouldn’t take herbs while you’re pregnant unless you discuss your selections with your obstetrician, because quite a few herbs can increase the risk of miscarriage.

Recent Posts