Drug Interactions And Uses For 10 Common Herbs 

Plants have been used for medical purposes since the beginning of humanity. The popularity and use of herbal medicines and supplements have increased in the past decade. Therapeutic effects of some herbal medicines are tested and established but most are not. Plant extracts that are used for medicinal purposes are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and are available over-the-counter. Taking herbal medicines with prescribed drugs can potentially result in serious or dangerous interactions. Therefore, it is important to be aware of herb-drug interactions.    

In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and National Institutes of Health conducted a survey on complementary and alternative medicinal use and found that 17.7% of adults aged 18 and over used herbal medicines.  Here are the most commonly reported herb-drug interactions.