Spices and Herbs by Elaynn

 

On my last blog regarding surgery and herbs, one of my readers accused me of taking side with the medical profession. I would like to clear this up and defend my position.

My reason for calling attention to dangerous herbs in my blogs is because some herbs are dangerous and if not used properly, can kill us. This is especially true when we mix medications and herbs. They don't mix! When we mix medication and herbs together, we are brewing up our own concoction of witch's brew!

One of the Herbal magazines that I read is NATURAL HEALTH and I can't recall a single issue that hasn't discussed the issue of herbal safety. I do a tremendous amount of research on herbs and even vitamins. I have been in the herb business since the 1970's and also have been using vitamins and herbs for my own health . I use what is needed for my own body. I don't just use herbs willy nilly because it's the newest thing out as if herbs are some type of a fashion craze.

The number of people that use herbs goes up each year, in fact, it is estimated that 50% of all adults living in America take dietary supplements of various kinds that include herbs and vitamins. More than half of those people buying herbs aren't really sure about how to use them or exactly why they are taking them. The Food and Drug Administration is charged with ensuring that the medications you take are safe, herbs fall into a separate category that isn't monitored by any government agency. However, we are starting to see where the FDA has had to get involved because of the amount of people who are not educating themselves regarding the use of herbs.

Many herbs that are safe when used alone may be dangerous when combined with drugs or even vitamins. For instance St. John's wort has been touted by many herbalists (not I ) to be very effective natural treatment for depression. But when it is combined with certain drugs, including some medications used to treat AIDS and other illnesses, St John's wort actually prevents the drugs from working properly. Another example is the stimulant herb ephedra also known as ma huang, if used alone could be an effective appetite suppressant (although I personally would not recommend this either) . In larger amounts, this herb can cause high blood pressure, leading to strokes, It can also cause a rapid heartbeat.. Overdoes of ephedra have even resulted in the deaths of several people who used it as a herbal version of the illegal drug Ecstay.

Whenever we use herbs, it is very important to understand exactly what the herb is and how to use it correctly. Just because there is a blitz on an herb doesn't mean that we have to go find it and use it. We need to use our heads and act responsible so that we don't end up dead. And this is what my blogs are all about!

 

BLACK COHASH (Cimicifuga racemosa)

also known as black snakeroot, rattleweed, rattleroot, bugbane, bugwort

Do not confuse black cohash with blue cohash or white cohash. These are unrelated plants. The blue and white cohash plants do not have the same effects as black cohash, and may not be safe.

 

Black Cohash is an American herb, introduced into medical practice in America in 1828 and used briefly in Europe around 1860. Only recently has Black Cohash been given attention once again as an herb for menopausal symptoms.

Black cohash was used by Native Americans as a traditional folk remedy for womens' health conditions, such as menstrual cramps and hot flashes, as well as arthritis, muscle pain, sore throat, cough and indigestion. The juice of the plant was used as an insect repellent and was made into a salve and applied to snake bite

Today, black cohash is used primarily as a nutritional supplement for hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness and other symptoms that can occur during menopause, as well as for menstrual cramps and bloating.

Side effects of black cohash may include: indigestion, headache, nausea, vomiting, heaviness in the legs, weight gain, low blood pressure, seizures, visual disturbances and slow or irregular heartbeat. There have also been a number of cases of liver damage suspected to be associated with black cohash.

People with a history of blood clots or stroke, seizures, liver disease and those who are taking medications for high blood pressure should not use black cohash. And because it may act like the hormone estrogen in the body, black cohash could interfere with hormone replacement therapy or oral contraceptives.

Black cohash may interfere with the effectiveness of the chemotherapy drug CISPLATIN. Also, combining black cohash with the drug ESTRADIOL,(Alora, Combipatc, Estrace,, Estraderm, Fem Patch, Vivelle, ) could raise the body's estrogen level too high.

You should not use black cohash if you have a hormone-sensitive condition, such as breast cancer, endometriosis, ovarian cancer, uterine cancer, or fibroid tumors or, if you have liver damage or drink alcohol in excessive quantities. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid black cohash as the herb may stimulate contractions and lead to premature labor.

It is suggested that you not use black cohash for longer than 6 months/

 

In August 2006, Health Canada advised consumers of the possible link between black cohash and liver damage. In June 2007, the United States Pharmacopeia proposed that black cohash product labels contain a cautionary statement

 

 

Whenever you use herbs to treat a health problem, no matter how minor, it is important to understand exactly what the herb is and how to use it correctly. You also need to know if the herb will interact positively or negatively with any other foods, herbs, supplements, or medications you take. If you are not sure whether the herb is safe for you , or if you're uncertain about the dosage, don't use it.

Make herbal safety a priority. Although most herbs are very safe WHEN USED PROPERLY, they still must be used with caution. Many herbs that are safe when used alone may be dangerous when combined with drugs or other supplements.

Some herbs are dangerous and should never be used and one that comes to my mind is EPHEDRA.

EPHEDRA (EPHEDRA SINICA) A/K/A MA HUANG herbal version of the illegal drug ECSTASY.

This herb can cause high blood pressure, anxiety, irritability, rapid heartbeat, and heat rhythm problems. EPHEDRA is a potentially dangerous stimulant herb.

You definitely DO NOT USE EPHEDRA with:

CHAMOMILE

PASSION FLOWER

KAVAV KAVA

VALERIAN

Do not mix EPHEDRA and ATENOLOL which is used to treat high blood pressure, EPHEDRA can decrease the drug's intended effect in the body.

Do NOT use EPHDRA if you have glaucoma, because as a stimulant, it will make the glaucoma worse.

Do not use EPHEDRA with ACETAZOLAMIDE, a drug used for glaucoma.

Do NOT use EPHEDRA with ANY TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANT. If you do, it will raise your risk of serious high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias.

Do NOT USE the drug EHPEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, which are similar to EPHEDRA and are found in many non prescription cold and allergy remedies.

Do NOT use EPHEDRA with any caffeine products such as ANACIN, CAFFEDRINE, EXCEDRIN, MIDOL MAX-STRENGTH, NO DOZ, VANQUISH, VIVARIN

Do NOT use EPHEDRA with ALLEGRA, ZYRTEC , CHLORPHENIRAMINE, ALKA SELTZER PLUS COLD AND COUGH LIQUI-GELS, CHLOR-TRIMETON ALLERGY, CONTAC 12 HOUR, CLEMASTINE ANTIHIST-1, TAVIST, TAVIST-D, which can worsen dry mouth . Also avoid the related drugs EPHEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, which are found in many nonprescription cold and allergy remedies.

Do NOT use EPHEDRA with CLOMIPRAMINE ( tricyclic antidepressant) OR ANAFRANIL, DESIPRAMINE, NORPRAMIN,DOXEPIN, SINEQUAN, IMIPRAMINE, TOFRANIL, TOFRANIL-PM, NITROGLYCERIN, PHENELZINE SULFATE, NARDIL, THEOPHYLLINE, BRONKODYL, SLO-BID, THEOLAIR, THEO-DUR, UNIPHYL. Taking EPHEDRA with any tricyclic antidepressant raises your risk of serious high blood pressure and heart arrhythmias. Similarly, avoid the related drugs EPHEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, found in many nonprescription cold and and allergy remedies.

Do NOT use EPHEDRA with DEXAMETHASONE, DECADROM, DEXONE, HEXADROL, PREDNISONE, DELTASONE, LIQUID PRED, METICORTEN, ORASONE, PREDNISONE INTENSOL, STERAPRED. The herb EPHEDRA naturally contains EPHEDRINE, which can reduce the effectiveness of CORTICOSTEROIDS. Similarly, avoid EPHEDRIN and PSEUDOPHEDRIN which can be found I many nonprescription cold and allergy remedies.

REGARDING the drug EPINEPHRINE, this drug is a synthetic form of adrenaline. As a non prescription drug, EPINEPHRINE is sold as a mist to be inhaled into the lungs to treat asthma symptoms. The drug EPHEDRINE, which is very similar to EPINEPHRINE, was originally isolated from EPHEDRA. Taking EPHEDRA with any product containing EPINEPHRINE could increase the side effects of the drug, including nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, high blood pressure and heart arrhrthmias.

EPHEDRA naturally contains EPHEDRINE, which reduces the effectiveness of CORTICOSTEROIDS. Do not take it when taking HYDROCORTISONE. Similarly, avoid the drugs EPHEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE which are found in many nonprescription and cold allergy remedies.

The use of EPHEDRA may exacerbate insomnia and nervousness; side effects of PHENYTOIN. Similarly, avoid the drugs EPHEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE which are found in many nonprescription and cold allergy remedies.

EPHEDRINE, a drug closely related to PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, was originally isolated from EPHEDRA. Taking EPHEDRA with any product containing PSEUDOEPHEDRINE could increase the side effects of the drug, including nervousness, insomnia, dizziness, high blood pressure and heart arrhythmia.

Taking EPHEDRA with THEOPHYLLINE raises blood pressure and can cause heart arrhythmia and other serious side effects. Similarly, avoid the drugs EPHEDRINE and PSEUDOEPHEDRINE which are found in many nonprescription and cold allergy remedies.

 

CASCARA SAGRADA (Rhamnus Pursbiana) a/k/a sacred bark

The native Americans used this for hundreds of years as a laxative.

Cascara Sagrada was accepted in medical practice in the United States in 1877.

The bark should be dried for at least one year before using. Fresh cut, causes vomiting and violent diarrhea

However, in 2002 The FDA has issued a ban in the use of Cascara Sagrada as a laxative ingredient in over the counter drug products. Use of Cascara Sagrada has been associated with abdominal pain and diarrhea; it is potentially carcinogenic.

Cascara Sagrada has also been associated with the development of chronic hepatitis. Short term use may cause a terrific gripping effect on the intestinal system, intestinal distress, including inflammation of the colon, nausea and vomiting and chronic or dangerously severe diarrhea. Nursing mothers who use this will pass the laxative effect to their infants. The strain on the intestines and forced diarrhea could kill the infant. Pregnant women can go into labor using Cascara Sagrada.

Long term use can lead to disorders of heart and muscle function.

Cascara Sagrada acts unfavorably with prescription medications.

  

SENNA Senna alexandrina other names: Aden senna, Cassia acutifolia, Cassia augustifolia, Cassia senna, Cassia marilandica Mecca senna, nubian senna, and tinnevally senna, wild senna, locust plant

Senna pods and leaves contain anthroquinones, which have strong laxative effect. Does not matter which senna you use, they are all the same,

Senna is a powerful laxative that should be used for no more than seven days in a row except under a physician's supervision. It can cause sever abdominal cramps. Do not use senna if you have intestinal problems such as ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Do not use senna if you are pregnant or nursing. DO NOT give senna to children.

Senna is a potent cathartic drug, not just a different tasting tea.

SIDE EFFECTS: diarrhea, intestinal cramps or gripping pains, sever weight loss

This herb can also cause finger clubbing ( rounded swelling of the fingertips and nails);

fluid and chemical imbalances; jaw tightness.

DO NOT USE SENNA WHILE TAKING heart drug called calcium channel blockers, such as Calan and Procardia; Indocin

Don't use SENNA if you have an inflammatory condition of the digestive tract, hemorrhoids or a prolapsed rectum

Do not use senna in cases of inflammation of the stomach.

Don't use senna to force a daily bowel movement

Senna supplements differ in potency

Senna will discolor your urine.

WARNING: Do NOT use senna for inflammatory conditions of the alimentary canal, fever, piles, menorrhagia, prolapse of the rectum and uterus, or pregnancy.

If you should happen to take senna use the following to modify the herb: any one or all of; ginger root, anise, caraway, fennel or coriander.

 

Honestly friends, there are lots better herbs than this to take for a laxative. I use 4 sticks of black licorice and red grapes. Does a good job every time!  Use sensible herbs, so that you feel good, not lousy! Take care of your body and it will take care of you!

 

The one thing that I enjoy about being an herbalist is that it is never ending. I never get to the point where I know it all. I'm always fascinated by the fact that there are so many avenues that can be taken.

I know that there is one other herbalist here on LH who knows a thing or two about herbs and I must admit that I didn't take the time to look and see if she hasn't already covered this subject. If so, my apologies and if this should pose a problem, then I will delete this blog.

In the meantime, it is interesting to note that herbs have about the oldest beginnings of nearly any other plants such as vegetables and fruits. Maybe the reason is that we are constantly trying to improve the quality of the vegetables and fruits. But not so with herbs. Herbs made their appearance in the Bible passages. Then later, the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and English all did their thing with herbs. It's also interesting that while there are some herbs that are native to England, just as some are uniquely American, the blue-bloods are almost all of Mediterranean ancestry. And while a rich body of lore is found in sixteenth and seventeenth century English herbals, at least a core of that lore is derivative of material first recorded by Greek herbalists and on down through the monks.

Historically the oldest uses of herbs were medicinal. Of course herbs were used as pomander balls and herbal bags, but the real reason was for hygienic effects because of the stench of rotting garbage, putrefying sewerage, disease, and death. A cook used herbs on meat not so much to enhance the flavor, but because the meat was going bad and she wanted to coverup the taste.

Gerard's Herbal became the best work known in 1597. The next was James Parkinson around 1640. One of the most notables was Nicholas Culpeper. His effort was based more in superstition and folklore than were the works of Gerard and Parkinson. Thus much of Culpepers' work was overstatements of the value of many of the plants. One of Culpeper's more curious superstitions was the Doctrine of Signatures. According to this belief, the medicinal use of a plant could be determined from some element of its appearance. The spotted, lung-shaped leaves of the lungwort indicated to the ancients that it was good for curing diseased, or spotted, lungs. The hollow stalk of the garlic showed it was a remedy for windpipe aliments. Some like dandelion, plantain, yarrow, and nettles--revealed the broadness of their healing virtues through their abundance.

The American Indian formed their herbal lore much the same way other peoples formed theirs. The doctrine of signatures that Culpeper described found practitioners in America. Similarly, the Indians, like their contemporaries around the globe, were superstitious and they based some plant uses in superstition. And of course, there were the experimenters. The American Indian had some use for almost every plant native to their land. I think that also explains the reason why different tribes would use different herbs for the same ailment, depends on what was growing in their area.

I can't help but think that all those people went through a lot of trial and error periods before they finally got some of the right herbs for their ailments. Also, since people before the 1800's didn't live much longer than 40 years, who knows that the wrong herb is what killed them?

Many of those people back then just grabbed an herb and gave it a “try.” Heck it either cured the person or killed him.

We don't want to be like those people of yesteryear who really didn't exactly know what they were doing. That was called ignorance, today it's called irresponsible.

That's why I constantly bring to your attention herbs that are dangerous.

 

This morning I was greeted with an email from a reader who read my latest blog and stated that he thought that my posts about dangerous herbs was completely unfounded. I'm up to the challenge of defending what I post on LH blogs. Here we go..

I happen to know that this person sells herbs and vitamins. Possibly in a shop, or a so called “health food store” or just on line. Let me ask these type of people some things:

For starters: How much do you know about the products your store is selling? Do you have an herb book handy? ( you do?, one huh? And it answers all the questions any one could possibly ask you) I have over 100 books and I still don't know all the answers about the herbs growing just here in the United States. Or are you fortunate enough to have a paper that you can refer to with 2 sentences about every item in your store ?

Do you own the store or are you just an employee? How much do you get paid? Are you current on your mortgage or rent payments? Your car payments? Utilities?

Where do you live? What type of property do you have? Do YOU have a garden? Do you even have a flower box? ( a what?) Do you have a farm? (no, don't need one. Old Mac Donald does and that's enough for me)

Where do go for your daily walks? Will you go for a walk in the woods with me? (OMG! Dear ticks!)

Do you know the difference between a pine tree and an oak tree?

Could you spot a Shepherd purse plant? ( a what?) When you mow your grass, do you stop to investigate what that beautiful smell is , just in a certain spot? ( I don't have to mow. My landlord does it or the maintenance people do it. What are you nuts? I 've got better things to do than get all hot and bothered!)

When you go by a cow farm do you roll up the windows and quickly turn on the a/c or do you roll all the windows down, slow down just a bit, and inhale and say to yourself “Is there any better smell than God's creation?” ( you can't be serious!)

Do you know the difference between a cow and a bull? (why should I?) Do you know what's meant by a cow freshening? (My milk better be fresh or I'm gonna be suing someone!) Do you know what a Gurney or a Black Angus even looks like? (first of all, what are we talking about here!Art work?!?) When was the last time you dare let your ignorance show by asking a farmer who stops for gas what type of horses/cows he is transporting ? ( are you kidding? I wouldn't stoop that low!anyway, I never knew what was in those long carriers with a canvass over it. I know one thing, sure smells)

Do you have any idea why many people keep horses, even though the horses don't really give anything? Try asking some folks why the first thing in the morning they'll ride their horse. Why do they sometimes linger when brushing down their horse and caring for it. Why some will even tell you they like the smell of their horse. (You're kidding, liking a smelly horse!)

Do you know the difference between a chicken and a duck (ok, I'll give you that), but how about being able to tell the difference between a chicken and a partridge if you saw one in the road?

 

Just how close to nature or God's creatures are you?  Do you even like them?

What do you do for a living? Just sell herbs and vitamins, maybe a few books, other stuff? I live herbs. That's right, live. Just as a farmer lives farming. We know what we are doing, inside out, we love it, we live it, we breathe it, we learn from it everyday of our lives. It's one thing to sell a product, it's another to study up on it and keep abreast of all the new and old information; knowing our land; knowing what can grow or we can raise in our area; know how to protect our crops and animals; and in my case, knowing what herbs like each other (now I know you're nuts!) and what herbs will protect other vegetables. I also NEED to know which herbs will harm you and which herbs will benefit you!

You best get to know me before you say that my blogs are unfounded. I do a lot of studying and researching and not just on the web, before I post anything on this or any other site.

 

UNSAFE HERBS FOR CHILDREN part three

Here are some more herbs that are unsafe that may cause stomach upset, skin irritation, excessive drowsiness or over stimulation:

ELEUTHERO may cause over stimulation and altered hormonal balance in children

FEVER FEW may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

FO TI may cause diarrhea in children

GENTIAN ROOT can cause severe gastrointestinal irritation

GINSENG may cause over stimulation in children

GOLDENROD this herb is a diuretic and may cause dehydration

GREEN TEA contains caffeine, which may over stimulate children

GUARANA this herb contains caffeine, which may overstimulate children

GUGGUL may cause diarrhea in children

GUMWEED may cause diarrhea in children

HORSERADISH may cause gastrointestinal irritation in children

HOPS fresh hops may cause excessive drowsiness in children

IVY LEAF may cause skin irritation in children

KAVA KAVA may cause excessive drowsiness

KOLA NUT contains caffeine, may cause over stimulation in children

LAVENDER may cause skin irritation in children

MASTICA may cause diarrhea in small children

MATE this herb contains caffeine, which may overstimulate children

MUGWORT may cause diarrhea in children

MYRRH may cause gastrointestinal irritation

OREGANO OIL external use only, however may cause skin irritation. Internal use causes sever gastrointestinal irritation

PASSION FLOWER may cause excessive drowsiness

PUMPKIN SEED may cause gastrointestinal irritation

PYGEUM may cause hormonal imbalance

ROSEMAY OIL may cause skin irritation

SARSAPARILLA may cause irritation of the skin, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract

SAW PALMETTO may cause hormonal imbalance in children

SCHISANDRA may cause skin rash and stomach upset

SENNA may cause severe diarrhea in children

SOY ISOFLAVONES,, SOY LECITHIN may cause hormonal imbalance and diarrhea in children

STINGING NETTLE LEAF may cause hormonal imbalance.

UVA URSI not for children under 12 years old. Use only occasionally; prolonged use may cause dehydration and urinary tract irritation

VALERIAN may cause excessive drowsiness in children

VERVAIN may cause excessive drowsiness in children

WALNUT LEAF may cause skin irritation in children

WITCH HAZEL may cause skin irritation in children with very sensitive skin

YARROW may cause allergic reactions in children

YELLOW DOCK may cause diarrhea in children

YUCCA may cause an upset stomach in children; can block the absorption of other medications

 

In World War I, before the advent of antibiotics, silver compounds were used to prevent and treat infections. Silver compounds continue to be used in external preparations as antiseptics.

The antibacterial action of silver is dependent on the silver ion. The effectiveness of silver compounds as an antiseptic is based on the ability of the biologically active silver ion (Ag+) to irreversibly damage key enzyme systems in the cell membranes of pathogens. It has long been known that the antibacterial action of silver is enhanced by the presence of an electric field. Applying a few volts of electricity across silver electrodes drastically enhances the rate that bacteria in solution are killed.

Silver sulfadiazine cream (SSD Cream) replaced colloidal silver as the most common delivery system for using silver on the surface of burn wounds to control infection in the 1970s.

The US Food and Drug Administration has approved the use of a range of different silver-impregnated wound dressings

From approximately 1990, there has been a resurgence of the promotion of colloidal silver as an alternative medicine treatment, marketed with claims of it being an essential mineral supplement, or that it can prevent or treat numerous diseases like cancer, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, and herpes, as well as tuberculosis. Silver is not an essential mineral in humans; there is no dietary requirement for silver, and no such thing as a silver "deficiency".There is no medical evidence that colloidal silver is effective for any of these claimed indications. Colloidal silver preparations primarily deliver inactive metallic silver, rather than the active microbicidal silver ion.

The chronic intake of silver products and the silver buildup from colloidal silver can result in an accumulation of silver or silver sulfide particles in the hair, skin, kidneys, liver, heart and muscles due to high methionine-containing proteins, such as keratin, myosin, tropomyosin, troponin, and key dieptide glutathione.

the FDA has issued numerous Warning Letters to Internet sites that have continued to promote colloidal silver as an antibiotic or for other medical purposes.

In 2002, the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) found that there were no legitimate medical uses for colloidal silver and no evidence to support its marketing claims

Colloidal silver is made with a generator which one can either purchase from $200 to $600 or make themselves. Then pour in some distilled water, salt and a silver wire. That's natural? I 've even heard of melting down old silver coins. And then drink the stuff. Really? Then charge someone else $60 a bottle for this stuff.

This is alternative medicine in the left field, but by no means is it natural. Why take a chance on something that doesn't have a solid, good reputation for our well being, good health and happiness?

Comfrey is of the borage family and is a wide type of plant that has pretty pink, white,blue, even yellow flowers. Years ago people used to use this internally for lung disorders, including tuberculosis. Many people  view comfrey as some type of a wonder drug.There's no end as to what this herb can be used for.

Comfrey has a high content of allantoin, which is an agent which promotes cell proliferation. Quantities of tannin and mucilage are also present. The root is more toxic than the leaves.

ALL comfrey species have been found to contain hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are highly toxic to the liver and can cause death. Pyrrolizidine alkaloids are poisonous compounds and is also absorbed through the skin, and harmful amounts may build up in the body

Comfrey taken internally as a tea or in salads has been reported to cause liver failure. One of the most common causes of veno-occlusive disease is ingestion of plant materials that contain hepatotoxic PA's.

In July 2001, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration required that dietary supplement manufacturers immediately remove all oral comfrey products from the market. The United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and Germany also have banned the sale of oral products containing comfrey.

We herbalists can do better than that.There are plenty of other herbs we can use instead.

All parts of the pokeweed are poisonous, with the highest concentrations in the rootstock. The leaves and stems are next in toxicity, and the berries have the smallest amount of poison. Pokeweed contains phytolaccatoxin and phytolaccigenin, which are poisonous to mammals. Several toxins have been identified in species of Phytolacca, usually concentrated in the roots, berries and seeds. These poisons include an alkaloid (phytolaccine), a resin (phytolaccatoxin), and a saponin (phytolaccigenin). However, children have been poisoned by eating raw pokeweed berries, and some have died. Severe poisonings have been reported in adults who ingested mature pokeweed leaves and following the ingestion of tea brewed from one-half teaspoonful of powdered pokeroot. The effects of eating the uncooked or improperly prepared plant may include nausea, retching or vomiting after two hours or more (sometimes bloody), watery diarrhea, abdominal cramps, headaches, blurred vision, confusion, dyspepsia, perspiration, spasms, severe purging, prostration, tremors, convulsions. dizziness, weakness, excessive yawning, slowed breathing, fast heartbeat, heart block (a blockage of the electrical impulses that stimulate the heart to contract) and possibly seizures, coma and death.

 If poke is eaten by animals: In horses it causes colic, diarrhea, respiratory failure. In swine: unsteadiness, inability to rise, retching, jerking movements of the legs, below-normal temperature.In cattle: same general signs plus a decrease in milk production.

 

Here in North Carolina we have been seeing some nice weather in the past few weeks. And some plants are starting to come back to life. One is going to be the poke-root a/k/a The poke-weeds, also known as poke, pokebush, pokeberry, poke-root POKEROOT (Phytolacca americana) The stems are often pink or red. The flowers are greenish-white, in long clusters at the ends of the stems. They develop into dark purple berries.

It seems that many southerners years ago and even now, from my understanding, liked to clean themselves out after being cooped up all winter and not being able to get fresh greens. The above ground leaves sprout in the early spring. Young leaves, if collected before acquiring a red color, are edible if boiled for 5 minutes, rinsed, and reboiled. Young pokeweed leaves can be boiled three times to reduce the toxin, discarding the water after each boiling. In a traditional Cherokee recipe for fried poke stalks, young stalks are harvested while still tender, peeled to remove most of the toxin, washed, then cut into pieces and fried like okra with cornmeal. The practice of brewing pokeweed plant parts with hot water to make tea has caused poisoning. Thoroughly cooking the plant reduces its toxicity.

 

Pennyroyal is another herb that many herbalists use. Many use pennyroyal as a tea as a stimulant, carminative, diaphoretic and emmenagogue. American and European pennyroyal consist of 85 to 92% of pulegone, a toxic ketone found in pennyroyal oil. It causes hepatotoxicity in dogs and cats.

Pennyroyal is considered one of the most dangerous herbs mainly because of the damage it can do the the liver, causing severe liver damage even in relatively small amounts. As little a 1/2 teaspoonful of pennyroyal can produce convulsions and coma, leading to death. While pennyroyal may indeed induce abortion, it does so only in lethal doses.

Pennyroyal tea tastes just like insect repellant. This is sold as an 'all natural' flea killing product. The problem is all natural does not mean safe and it's quite a toxic choice

Pennyroyal is toxic even in a small amount should the animal (dog or cat) accidentally ingest it. And this can be done thro licking or scratching where the pennyroyal is. There is a myth that pennyroyal oil is good for preventing ticks on pets but this is false and is actually highly toxic and can induce seizures and causes comatose fits. Even rubbed on the skin can cause irritation

 

Here is another dangerous herb to stay away from!  This time, both internally and externally!

American hellebore ( or black and green): This herb is highly toxic and causes severe side effects, even in small doses, including reduced blood pressure and heart rate.

Internally violently narcotic that affects the heart..it can kill. Symptoms of hellebore poisoning include salivation, nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhea, weak heartbeat, vertigo, ringing ears, disturbed vision, coronary arrest. Green hellebore is a cardiac depressant...black hellbore is a cardiac stimulant. Applied locally, the fresh root is an irritant.

 

 

 

Here are two more herbs that are considered unsafe for humans: 

CHAPARRAL    This herb can cause kidney lesions or liver problems, such as hepatitis.

COLTSFOOT is used for coughs, but contains alkaloids that cause liver cancer. Coltsfoot has been used for cough remedies. Try slippery elm bark instead. Coltsfoot has been shown to increase risks for liver cancer.

Both Chaparral and coltsfoot can cause serious liver damage. They contain the chemical NGDA, along with other liver damaging chemicals like Allantoin and Pyrrolizidines.

Remember there are hundreds of herbs in the United States alone, but not all of them are safe for us to use!