Anything negative about these herbs?

[DougV]

I don't follow information on herbs very much so I have little or no idea which are harmful to the liver.  While I do not take these as supplements I do use them in making soft drinks and cooking and even occasionally teas.  So does anyone know if any of the following are potentially harmful for those who have hep.

Sarsaparilla Root
Sassafras Root Bark
Birch Bark
Licorice Root
Burdock Root
Yellow Dock Root powder
Spikenard Root
Hops Flowers
Juniper Berry
Dandelion root
Wintergreen Leaves

Thanks,
Doug

[Mongo]

Doug,

I don't have a lot of experience, but I seem to remember being warned about long-term use of the licorice root due to possible impact to my high blood pressure.


Kerry


PS, I didn't think you smoked.   

[DougV]

Kerry,

Glad you said that.  I don't have high blood pressure, nor am I fond of licorice, but my wife does and is.  In fact I have licorice root seeping in Vodka to make her licorice liqueur.  She loves licorice.  Hmmm, guess I better:

1.  Call insurance up her policy.

2.  Run to her favorite store and load up on licorice.

Man world tour comin' up. 

I looked it up as you mentioned it.  Supposed to be good for the liver, studies allegedly show it has an ability to lower cholesterol, is used in the treatment of ulcers, and oddly in some cases can lower BP and in others raise it.

In case you're curious, from U of Maryland:

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/licorice-000262.htm

It's also the flavor in a highly illegal licorice flavored opium tinted alcohol common in part of the med region, but that is another story..............

Doug

[jody13]

Doug, These herbs will be a

[Tom_K]

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/CAM_avoid.pdf

[DougV]

Thanks Tom.

I know this one is suspected by FDA to have a carnogenic compound, you can't sell a product containing Sassafras Root that is intended for human consumption, although you can legally obtain it for external use. 

This one,  Sarsaparilla Root, while it is on the list, I can't find a single reference anywhere else that tells me why it would be a problem.  I see 8 zillion herbal remedies for liver cleaners (wonder if they come with a small washboard to help really scrub the liver clean?) that contain it.  (Not that a zillion places selling a herb makes it legit.)  Wonder then why this one is included.  Wish they had given more info and a search of the site for more info didn't help.

Brings up another question, does that mean heppers should not drink root beer.  Primary flavor is derived from Sarsaparilla.

Doug

[Jazzdenova]

Sasspeerilly!!
Thats a durned tootin fragsnaggled narkwarlerin Yosemite Sam shame.
See, first they went after me drinking and substance abuse, then cigarettes and coffee..... now me rootbeer and licorice
Oh what a dark and stormy tempest we are being brewed in

They will be arresting you in your kitchen for trying to get somebody to smile and show them your love next.

[denden]

does that mean not to take at all ...or just if you on interferon?  I been trying some colloidall silver. thx in advance ..       http://www.hcvadvocate.org/hepatitis/factsheets_pdf/CAM_avoid.pdf

[DougV]

Denden,

I'd avoid colloidall silver.  It has no real documented benefits and it does have potential health risks. 

Doug

[19Dragon52]

{{{Oh Thanks Tom!}}}

Now I can't willingly serve my brother Hemlock & Mistletoe Punch over the holidays to speed up the ordeal with my father's house and property which has been in limbo for over 3 years!  DANG!

Love Ya Anyway.....

[robin]

Joyce...you are too funny. BTW...can  I send some friends and relatives to share in your holiday concoction?  Keep your spirits high...robin

[DougV]

{{{Oh Thanks Tom!}}}

Now I can't willingly serve my brother Hemlock & Mistletoe Punch over the holidays to speed up the ordeal with my father's house and property which has been in limbo for over 3 years!  DANG!

Love Ya Anyway.....

Nah Joyce, you probably can't do that.

BUT......

I could. 

Doug

[wings]

I know the dandelion is supose to good for you.  My father being italian, used to pick them in the yard and make a simple salad out of them.  Italian never waste anything, I laugh every time I kill one of those plants in the yard.  My father is rolling in his grave saying what a waste.

sheila

[JustBlue]

I don't know what others have replied, but I just went looking for lists of harmful herbs.
I know, call me lazy. I have a cold, so that's my excuse.

http://www.liverdisease.com/harmfulherbs_hepatitis.html

The list on this healthyhepper site is depressing, it's so long
http://www.healthyhepper.com/liverhazzards.htm

this site has a good list of bad herbs too
http://theliver.org/?p=10

i'll try to look up each one later, when I can breathe again.