When analyzing the interactions of herbal preparations with drugs, it should be noted that most herbal products available on the market have the status of a dietary supplement. Supplements may not have a properly controlled portion of the raw material, which in turn makes it difficult to assess both safety and effectiveness.

Medication should always be washed down with water. The ingredients contained in tea (e.g. tannins) can interfere with the absorption of drugs and significantly limit their effects.

Herbs/plant products that affect the metabolism of other drugs:

1) St. John's wort - (liquid or powdered alcohol extract) - affects the activity of liver enzymes, reduces the effectiveness of many drugs, is not recommended during treatment with any medication

2) grapefruit - (juice, seed extract) - inhibits the activity of some liver enzymes (risk of drug poisoning), should not be consumed during treatment with any medications

3) ashwagandha - enhances the effect of calming drugs, lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels, can also affect the absorption of thyroid hormones

4) garlic - should not be combined with warfarin, medicines used to treat HIV and lisinopril (risk of drug exacerbation plus side effects)

5) purple echinacea - should not be combined with anticancer drugs, paracetamol and aspirin (increased risk of side effects)

6) common knotweed - increases the risk of hypokalemia with the simultaneous use of certain cardiac drugs

7) licorice - should not be combined with drugs that lower blood pressure (it interferes with their effect)

8) ginkgo biloba - it should not be combined with anticoagulants and aspirin (possible risk of bleeding)

9) Immaculate Conception - may interfere with the action of hormonal drugs (contraception, HRT)

9) white and purple willow - should not be combined with NSAIDs and anticoagulants

10) ginseng - should not be combined with anticoagulants and antiplatelet drugs and tamoxifen; interferes with the effects of sleeping pills

Above, I have presented the best documented and researched interactions of herbs with drugs. It should be taken into account that not all herbal preparations have been clinically tested for interactions. Patients using medications (especially very potent ones) should be especially careful when using medications and supplements at the same time.

I encourage you to read:

https://www.gdziepolek.pl/artykuly/czy-mozna-laczyc-leki-ze-soba

https://www.gdziepolek.pl/artykuly/czy-przyjmowanie-kilku-lekow-jednoczesnie-jest-bezpieczne

https://www.gdziepolek.pl/artykuly/czym-roznia-sie-leki-od-suplementow