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Specific Vitamins, Herbs, Medications
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approach. Arch Intern Med 159: 2456–2460, 1999.
SAW PALMETTO
QUESTION: I would like to know if Saw Palimetto has any side effects for someone taking it for prostrate problems
ANSWER: Saw palmetto appears to be safe, mostly side-effect free. The most common complain is GI upset so take
with food if you have a easily upset stomach. The indians of Florida ate this berry as a food crop for hundreds of
years, it is very nutritrive. There are no known drug interactions.
The General Warning given is safety for those with severe kidney or liver disease has not been established, but this is
a general warning given for many products.
GOTU KOLA: I read that I should avoid using Gotu Kola if I am pregnant. Can you tell me
why? Unfortunately, I have been drinking a hot morning drink that has Gotu Kola
in it for the past 5 months. After what I read last night I have obviously
stopped.
ANSWER: From the Botanical Safety Handbook the reason given is it could increase fetal heart rate causing the fetus
to go into distress, Gotu Kola, Latin Name: Centella asiatica is not recommended during pregnancy for this reason.
As a side note if the Gotu Kola you were consuming was part of a formula your were probably not getting very much,
secondly it has been recommended that Gotu Kola be processed fresh because it is most effective then. So if the
product was a tea or a pill you were probably getting a product which used dry Gotu Kola, possibly as inert as dirt
(clean dirt).
FENUGREEK
QUESTION: I was taking a fenugreek supplement for approx. 2 weeks during the first month of my pregnancy, before
I knew that I was pregnant. I have been reading that fenugreek should not be taken during pregnancy. I am in my 3rd
month now, and everything seems normal. Could the supplement have harmed the baby in any way?
ANSWER: The caution on this herb refers to the herbs ability to be a uterine stimulant which could lead to
spontaneous abortion of a fetus, since you have stopped taking it you and the baby should be okay.
If you are going to breast feed this is a great herb to increase milk production and help your uterus return to normal.
Keep it in mind for that time period after you give birth to your child.
GINSENG
QUESTION: I take Red Panax Ginseng Extract daily for energy. I am taking 10 c.c. oral liquid extra strength 5000mg.
Is this safe to take on a daily basis? Could there be any side effects.
ANSWER: Red Ginseng, Chinese Ginseng, Red Chinese Ginseng, Latin Name Panax Ginseng
There are actually three different herbs commonly called ginseng: 1.) Chinese, Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax
ginseng), 2.) American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and 3.) Siberian "ginseng" (Eleutherococcus senticosus). The
latter herb is actually not a Ginseng at all and is not in the Ginseng family directly but its actions are similar.
Chinese Ginseng is a perennial herb which grows a taproot resembling the human body. It is sometimes called
manroot. It can be found growing in northern China, Korea, and Russia.
Dried, unprocessed ginseng root is called "White Ginseng," and steamed, heat-dried root is "Red Ginseng."
Most Herbalists believe that each form red or white has its own particular use and benefits.
Ginseng is widely regarded by the public as a stimulant (or as you said for energy), but Herbalist who utilize it with
their clients disagree with this singular description.
In TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), Chinese Ginseng is used to strengthen digestion and respiratory systems,
calm the spirit, and finally increase overall energy. It was generally considered an old mans herb, to strengthen the
dibilitated or ill.
A Russian scientist, named Brekhman, coined the category of herbs called Adaptogens which help the body deal with
and recover from stress in all forms. Helping the body return to balance. Ginseng is considered by modern day
Herbalists as an Adaptogen.
Chinese Ginseng is relatively safe, in short and long term use. This has been confirmed with studies done on mice,
rats, chickens and pigs no toxicity was observed and use for thousands of years in Asia.
There are very few side effects. Unconfirmed reports suggest that excessive doses of Chinese Ginseng can cause
insomnia, hypertension, increased heart rate. But one adulterant in some Ginseng products is Caffeine, whether some
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