12. Kelp Kelp as a source of iodine may interfere with thyroid replacement therapies.

13. Echinacea

Echinacea could cause liver toxicity and therefore should not be used with other known liver toxic drugs, such as anabolic steroids, amiodarone, methotrexate, and ketoconazole

14. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate usefulness of feverfew in treatment of migraine headaches

15. Kava when used with alprazolam has resulted in coma

16. Evening primrose oil and borage should not be used with anticonvulsants because they may lower seizure threshold.

17. Both Rhubard and Aloe cause loss of potassium through stool... this may increase side effects of cardiac glycosides and antiarrhythmic drugs.

18. Astragalus (huang qi) may oppose immunosupressive drugs, because it tends to improve immune function.

Some of these herbs are not chinese herbs (feverfew, gingko, valerian, kava, echinacea, everning primrose, borage). If you saw a Chinese herbalist, they wouldn't be an issue. Plus, chinese herbalists prescribe more balanced formulas, not single herbs, so potential interactions with single herbs are reduced.

Positive Drug Herb Interactions

Gan cao increases effectiveness of prednisone. This benefit can be used to reduce dosage of prednisone in patients who have to take it long term. This reduces serious long-term side effects (bone density loss, adrenal insufficiency, etc.).

In typhoid fever, research showed that those given an herbal formula (xue yang mei) plus a sulfa drug did better than those just given sulfa drug. Both groups had a 100% cure rate, but combination group experienced few or no side effects.

In mastitis, those given a heat and toxin clearing herbal formula (jin yin hua, pu gong ying, yu jin, chi shao, dan shen, qing pi) plus penicillin/streptomycin injections did much better than those only given injection.

In adult primary nephrotic syndrome, one group was simply given corticosteroids, while another group was also given an herb formulas (dan shen, di gu pi, gui ban, han lian cao, hong hua, nu zhen zi, gou qi zi, sheng di, zhi mu). The steroid only group had a recovery rate of 56%, while combined group's recovery rate was 85%. In another study with nephritic patients, patients given predisone, zhi mu (anemarrhena), shu di huang (rehmannia), and gan cao (licorice) experienced less of corticosteroid side effects.

Late-stage gastric cancer patients were studied. All patients were given a drug chemotherapy combo of either methotrexate, fluoroacil and vinblastine, or methotrexate, MFC, and fluorocil. One of two groups was also given herbs (huang qi, tai zhi shen, caulis banthalobi, ji xue tang, bai zhu, fu ling, niu zhen zi, gou qi zi, tu su zi). Side effects were cut in half or eliminated in chemo plus herbs group.

Solving Multi-Drug Problem with Herbs

Many patients are on multiple drugs. We have had success reducing these medications over time with assistance of herbal formulas. An appropriate herbal formula is begun weeks or months ahead of time. This gives patient a 'cushion,' so to speak. Then drug dosage is slowly reduced. The herbal prescription is modified as patient progresses. MD's often cooperate with us in this effort since they know as well as anyone dangers of poly-pharmacy (taking multiple drugs at once)… especially in elderly. They say a good geriatric doctor stops more medications than he starts.

1. Use The Pulse of Oriental Medicine's Acupuncturist Finding Resource (http://pulsemed.org/findacupuncturist.htm), and look for your town. If you don't see it, click on "general databases" link, then choose "National Certification Committee for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine," then search by your city. If that doesn't work, try state-wide, and choose nearest ones.

2. Candidates: Pick 3 or 4 names, and give them a call. Ask if they provide a "short, free consult." If they offer to do this in person, take them up on it, because you'll get a much better sense of them that way. However, many will assume you mean a free "phone consult." Make sure you get to talk to actual acupuncturist. Most of them will talk to you for as much as 15 minutes. If only one of your group does this, I'd say that's a strong testimony to their sensitivity and marketing savvy, unless they are so successful that they don't have time. Try to get even 5 minutes on phone with them. While you're listening, look for intelligence, sensitivity, compassion, ability to listen and adapt, and ability to communicate clearly.