Herb Warnings

Below, we've compiled some of the herbs we have in our remedies. They list well known warnings and contraindications for educational purposes, but the following information should not be construed as health advice. Everybody reacts differently to medicinal plants, and it is your responsibility to speak with your doctor or a medical professional prior to using any of His Hands Apothecary’ products.

His Hands Apothecary’s products are not reviewed by the FDA. We do not make any claims, promises, or about the health benefits of any products. All statements are not intended to diagnose, cure, or prevent disease. We only offer our opinions and resources based on research, product testing amongst ourselves, and customer reviews. These products are intended to support one’s well-being. All sales are final. Use these products at your own risk. We are not responsible for accidents, misuse, or adverse reactions.

To be clear: We do not make health claims, offer health-related advice, nor can we diagnose conditions. The information provided on this site is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health care provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or any health-related concern. The information on this website is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Never disregard medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the His Hands Apothecary site. For more information review our Disclosure information.

Ginseng, American or Korean Red

Ginseng has interactions with several medications including Warfarin, medications to treat depression (MAOIs), diabetic medications, and medications that decrease the activity of the immune system.
Long-term use or high doses of Ginseng may lead to headaches, dizziness, stomach upset, and other symptoms.
Women who use Ginseng regularly may experience menstrual changes.

Arnica Flower

Arnica might slow blood clotting. Taking Arnica along with medications that also slow blood clotting might increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Arnica may cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the Asteraceae/Compositae family.
Pregnant women should avoid Arnica without consulting their doctor.

Astragalus Root

Pregnant or nursing women should not use Astragalus root.
If you have an immune system disease such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, or another autoimmune disease, you should not use Astragalus root.

Burdock Root

People who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may have an allergic reaction to Burdock root.
Burdock may slow blood clotting, avoid use at least two weeks prior to surgery or if you are on any anticoagulant medications.

Calendula Flower

People who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may have an allergic reaction to Calendula.
Calendula interacts with sedation medications (CNS depressants), which can cause breathing problems or too much sleepiness.

Chaga Mushroom

People with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis should avoid using Chaga as it can cause the immune system to be more active, increasing symptoms.
Chaga can increase the risk of bleeding, if you have a bleeding disorder you should avoid this mushroom.
Chaga can also affect blood sugar control, people that are diabetic should closely watch their sugar during use.

Red Clover Flower

People with hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, endometriosis, or uterine fibroids should avoid Red Clover as it can act like estrogen.

Comfrey Leaf/Root

Comfrey is likely unsafe to take by mouth or apply to the skin if you are pregnant or breast feeding, the PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) might cause birth defects.
Comfrey should not be applied to broken or damaged skin, doing so can expose you to large amounts of the chemicals in Comfrey that can cause liver damage.
People with liver disease, taking hepatotoxic medications, or cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) inducers should avoid Comfrey as it can increase liver damage.

Dandelion Leaf/Root

People who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may have an allergic reaction to Calendula.
People with eczema may have a higher chance of an allergic reaction to Dandelion.
Dandelion can interact with cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) substrates and glucuronidated medications as Dandelion can change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications.
Dandelion can interact with water pills as Dandelion contains significant amounts of potassium as do these medications, which may cause an excess of potassium in the body.
Dandelion might slow blood clotting. People who take anticoagulant/anti-platelet medications might have increased their risk of bruising and bleeding.
People with Diabetes should watch their blood sugar closely when using Dandelion as it can cause blood sugar levels to lower.

Echinacea

People with autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, and pemphigus vulgaris should avoid Echinacea as it can increase the activity of the immune system and exacerbate symptoms.
Echinacea can affect how the liver and body break down certain medications. Be sure to speak with your doctor or a medical professional prior to use.

Elderflower

Elderflower might lower blood sugar levels. If you are diabetic, be sure to monitor your blood sugar levels when using Elderflower.
Discontinue use of Elderflower two weeks before surgery.

Feverfew

Feverfew may contain chemicals that could cause the uterus to contract. Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
People who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may have an allergic reaction to Feverfew.
Discontinue use of Feverfew at least 2 weeks before surgery as it can slow blood clotting and cause bleeding during surgery.
Be cautious when using Feverfew with any medications that are changed/broken down by the liver as it can change how quickly the liver breaks down these medications.

Ginger Root

Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding. Pregnant women are advised to stop the use of Ginger close to their due date, but it is safe to use during the pregnancy for nausea relief.
People taking any anticoagulant medications or medications used to slow blood clotting should be cautious when using Ginger.
Ginger can affect how much the body absorbs nifedipine and losartan. Use caution when taking these medications and using Ginger.

Hibiscus Flower

Hibiscus may cause blood pressure to drop, use with caution if you have low or high blood pressure.
Avoid Hibiscus if you are allergic or sensitive to members of the Melvaceae family.
Hibiscus may interfere with the effectiveness of some anti-malaria Medications. It may also interact with Medications used for high blood pressure and diabetes.
Do not use Hibiscus if pregnant.

Hops Flower

Some chemicals in Hops can act like the hormone estrogen. People who have conditions that are sensitive to estrogen should use caution when taking Hops.
Hops might cause too much sleepiness when combined with anesthesia and other medications used in surgery. Stop taking Hops at least two weeks before surgery.
Be cautious when taking sedative medications and medications changed by the liver.

Lemon Balm / Melissa Leaf

Lemon Balm may change thyroid function and reduce thyroid hormone levels.
Taking Lemon Balm with sedative medications may cause too much sleepiness or breathing problems.

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

Licorice Root

Not to be used during pregnancy. Not for use in persons with hypertension, liver disorders, edema, severe kidney insufficiency, low blood potassium, heart disease with edema, or congestive heart failure.

Marshmallow Root

Orally administered medications should be taken one hour before use or several hours after, as Marshmallow may slow absorption.
Marshmallow may increase your chance of bleeding and might slow blood clotting.
Be cautious when taking lithium while using Marshmallow as it might decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium.

Motherwort

Motherwort may contain chemicals that could cause the uterus to contract. Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Use of this herb might cause sleepiness when taking sedative medications along with Motherwort as it may result in too much sleepiness.

Nettle, Stinging

Nettle may contain chemicals that could cause the uterus to contract. Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Nettle may lower blood sugar levels, people taking anti-diabetes medications should use caution and watch their blood sugar closely when using Nettle.
Stinging Nettle contains large amounts of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help clot blood. If taking warfarin, be sure to have your blood checked regularly.
Stinging Nettle may decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium.

Osha Root

Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Osha may start menstruation and cause a miscarriage.

Passionflower

Passionflower may contain chemicals that could cause the uterus to contract. Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Passionflower may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. If taking a sedative medication along with Passionflower be cautious as it could cause breathing problems.

Peppermint Leaf

Medications that are broken down by the liver may be affected as Peppermint may change how quickly the liver breaks down some medications.

Plantain Leaf

Plantain can affect the uterus and might increase the chance of miscarriage. Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
Plantain Leaf contains large amounts of vitamin K. Vitamin K is used by the body to help clot blood. If taking warfarin be sure to have your blood checked regularly.

Raspberry Leaf

Raspberry Leaf may slow blood clotting, taking medications that also slow blood clotting may increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Raspberry Leaf might act like estrogen, people who have any condition that may be worsened by estrogen should avoid this herb.

Red Reishi Mushroom

High doses of Red Reishi might increase the risk of bleeding in people with certain bleeding disorders.
People taking high blood pressure medication and other medications that slow blood clotting or for diabetes should use caution when using Red Reishi.

Rosehips

Rosehips contain Vitamin C. Large doses may lead to Kidney stones. Vitamin C may also interact with certain medications.

Rosemary Leaf

Rosemary contains chemicals like aspirin, choline magnesium trisalicylate, and salicylate. Use caution when taking medications containing these chemicals when using Rosemary.
Rosemary may slow blood clotting, taking medications that reduce blood clotting could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Rosemary may lower blood sugar levels, so taking diabetic medications may cause blood sugar to drop too low.

Sage Leaf

Not for use during pregnancy or lactation. Sage contains thujone which can bring on a menstrual period and reduce breast milk supply.
Sage may lower blood sugar levels, taking diabetic medications may cause blood sugar to drop too low.
Sage may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. If taking a sedative medication along with Sage be cautious as it could cause breathing problems.
Sage may increase the risk of seizures, as it may reduce the effectiveness of seizure medications.
Sage can affect how quickly the liver breaks down medications. Taking medications that are broken down by the liver while taking Sage could change their effects and produce side effects.

Skullcap Leaf

Skullcap may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. If taking a sedative medication along with Skullcap be cautious as it could cause breathing problems.

Slippery Elm Bark

Slippery Elm should be taken with at least 250mL (8 oz) of liquid. Orally administered medications should be taken one hour prior to or several hours after consumption of Slippery Elm. The mucilage may slow the absorption of orally administered medications.

Spearmint Leaf

Spearmint may increase kidney and liver damage. Using large amounts of spearmint tea makes kidney disorders and liver disease worsen.
Spearmint may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. If taking a sedative medication along with Spearmint be cautious as it could cause breathing problems.

St. John’s Wort

Using St. John’s Wort while pregnant may cause birth defects. Not for use in pregnancy or breast feeding.
St. John’s Wort might make dementia worse in people with alzheimer’s disease.
St. John’s Wort can affect how the body breaks down certain medications, this could increase or decrease the effects and side effects of these medications. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.
Do not use St. John’s Wort if taking mood changing medications, especially if taking antidepressants.

Turkey Tail Mushroom

A chemical found in Turkey Tail, PSP or polysaccharide peptide, might change how cyclophosphamide is removed from the body. This may alter how effective it is and cause more side effects.
Turkey Tail can affect how quickly the liver breaks down medications. Taking medications that are broken down by the liver while taking Turkey Tail could change their effects and produce side effects.

Turmeric Root

Do not take medicinal amounts of Turmeric if you are pregnant as it may cause a menstrual period or stimulate the uterus. It is considered safe to use in small amounts.
Do not use Turmeric if you have gallstones or a bile duct obstruction.
Turmeric may slow blood clotting.
Turmeric contains a chemical called curcumin, which may act like the hormone estrogen. This may have effects on hormone sensitive conditions.
Turmeric may lower testosterone levels and decrease sperm movement.
Turmeric may damage the liver, so people who have liver disease should avoid this herb.
Turmeric can affect how the body breaks down certain medications, this could increase or decrease the effects and side effects of these medications. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.

Valerian Root

Valerian may cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. If taking a sedative medication along with Valerian be cautious as it could cause breathing problems.
Valerian can affect how quickly the liver breaks down medications. Taking medications that are broken down by the liver while taking Valerian could change their effects and side effects.

Willow Bark

Do not use it if allergic to aspirin or other salicylate-containing medications.
Do not administer to children or adolescents with viral infections due to the possibility of reye's syndrome.
Willow may reduce blood flow to through the kidneys, so if you have kidney disease do not use Willow.
Willow may slow blood clotting, taking medications that reduce blood clotting could increase the risk of bruising and bleeding.
Willow contains chemicals that are like aspirin, salsalate, and choline magnesium trisalicylate. This could increase the effects and side effects of these medications.

Yarrow

Not for use in pregnancy except under the supervision of a qualified healthcare practitioner.
People who are allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family may have an allergic reaction to Yarrow.
Yarrow may decrease how well the body gets rid of lithium. Consult with your healthcare provider before using it.

If you are experiencing an adverse reaction, please contact 911 in case of emergency or contact your doctor for further assistance. If you have questions, please email us at info@hishandsapothecary.com or call during business hours at (770)-712-9242.