Herbal Medicines
This is a partial list of more common herbal medicines. Just the side effects that may interfere with your ability to fly are listed. Please consult your physician with the normal use of these medications. Keep in mind that extensive, tightly controlled investigations of herbal medicine, in most cases, are not done and/or incomplete. Dosage is not correlated to sex, height or weight.
Chamomile
Echinacea
Like garlic it affects clotting. Consult your physician.
Gingko
Side effects are high blood pressure and tachycardia. Don't use with warfarin, heparin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens or corticosteroids, or digoxin. Don't use if your diabetic.
There are toxic components in goldenseal. Consult a physician for details specific for you.
St. John's Wort
Side effect is sensitivity to light, but only noted in people taking large doses of the herb.
Side effects are gastrointestinal upset and headache, both mild.
Valerian
Should not be taken with other sedatives.
This is a partial list of more common herbal medicines. Just the side effects that may interfere with your ability to fly are listed. Please consult your physician with the normal use of these medications. Keep in mind that extensive, tightly controlled investigations of herbal medicine, in most cases, are not done and/or incomplete. Dosage is not correlated to sex, height or weight.
Chamomile
It contains coumarin, an anticoagulant. Like other anticoagulants it should be closely monitored by a physician if you take chamomile.
Echinacea
May, with long term use, suppress the body's immune system. Problems that cause liver damage may occur.
Feverfew
Side effects include ulcers and gastrointestinal irritation. If you take it for migraines and stop taking it a rebound headache may occur. Don't use it if you take warfarin and other anticoagulants.
Garlic
It should not be used with warfarin, an anticoagulant, because garlic affects clotting.
Ginger
Like garlic it affects clotting. Consult your physician.
Gingko
Seeds are toxic but extract from leaves is nontoxic. Don't use with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, anticoagulants, anticonvulsant drugs or tricyclic antidepressants.
Ginseng
Side effects are high blood pressure and tachycardia. Don't use with warfarin, heparin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens or corticosteroids, or digoxin. Don't use if your diabetic.
Goldenseal
There are toxic components in goldenseal. Consult a physician for details specific for you.
Melatonin
Melatonin is a hormone produced by your body. Hormone abuse is dangerous above normal body concentrations. Approved by the FAA but only on individual cases. Consult a physician
St. John's Wort
Side effect is sensitivity to light, but only noted in people taking large doses of the herb.
Saw Palmetto
Side effects are gastrointestinal upset and headache, both mild.
Valerian
Should not be taken with other sedatives.