Changing your Medicine Chest to Herbal Remedies

Changing your Medicine Chest to Herbal Remedies

Type of                                Drugs and Brand                        Possible side                                Herbal
Medication                                names                                         effects                                 alternatives    
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Acne remedies                       antibiotics                             dry skin, nosebleeds                      Burdock,
                                             Benzoyl  Peroxide                    liver damage                              Redcolver
                                                                                            Inflamed bowel                          Tea tree oil
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Analgesic                                Aspirin                                 nausea, vomiting                       White willow
                                              Tylenol                                 ulcers, fatigue,                            valerian
                                                                                          Liver and kidney damage
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Anti-Anxiety                      Benzodiazipines                        addicting, dizziness                          Skullcap
                                          Phenobarbital                            slows body reaction time                 Valerian
                                                                                          Forgetfulness
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Anti-                                  Advil, Motrin                           weight gain, fluid                                Yucca
Inflammatory                        Steroids                                retention, diabetes,
                                                                                         Impaired blood clotting
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Anti-depressants                Tricylics                                  dry mouth, blurred vision                         Ginseng
                                     Monoamine oxcidase                difficulty urinating, coma, fatal                 Schizandra
                                     Inhibitors                                    disturbed  heart rhythm
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Antacid                         calcium carbonate                           inhibit digestion                                  catnip
                                    Aluminum hydroxide                       muscle weakness                            celery juice
                                    Sodium bicarbonate                             vomiting
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Antibiotic                       penicillin’s                                    kill friendly bacteria                              Garlic
                                     Tetracycline’s                                cause yeast infection                          Echinacea
                                   Aninoglycoides                              allergic reactions
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Antihistamine               brompheniramine                             drowsiness, blurred                              Nettle
                                    Chlorpheniramine                             vision, dry mouth                               bayberry
                                                                                            Urinary difficulties
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Arthritis                      aspirin and other                            inability to stop bleeding.                         Yucca
Remedies                       analgesics                                             ulcers                                          Hydrangea
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Bronchodilator                 ephedrine                                        dry mouth                                         Lobelia
                                                                                               Palpitations
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Burn remedies                  analgesics                                      do not promote                         Aloe Vera Gel
                                        Antibiotics                                        tissue repair                                      honey
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Cough remedies                 codeine                                           chest pain                                  Horehound
                                      Dextromethorphanb                           constipation                               Elecampane
                                         Isoproternol                                   dry mouth                                  Wild cherry

 Changing your Medicine Chest to Herbal Remedies

Type of                                Drugs and Brand                        Possible side                                Herbal
Medication                                names                                         effects                                 alternatives    
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Decongestant                   naphazoline                                       headaches                               Mullein
                                         Benadryl                                         palpitations                             Fenugreek
                                        Sudafed                                          sleeplessness                            Thyme
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Diet pills                                 Dexedrine                                habit forming                             Chickweed
                                                                                             Loss of nutrients
                                                                                               Hypertension
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Diuretic                              chlorothiazide                          potassium depletion                   Juniper berry
                                            Metolazone                                 impotence                             Uva Ursi
                                            Triamterene                               noises in ears
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Energy (pep pills)                amphetamines                           lack of appetite                           Ginseng
                                                                                                 Paranoia                                Licorice
                                                                                               Hyperactivity
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Female                           conjugated estrogens              nausea, vomiting, depression              Black Cohosh
Hormones                        Diethylstilbestrol                  breast swelling, weight gain                Dong Quay 
                                              Norgestrel               reduced sex drive, vaginal bleeding
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Hemorrhoid                         zinc oxide                                    local irritation                       Butchers’ broom               
Medicines                          hydrocortisone                                                                                White oak
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Laxative                                bisacodyl                                     abdominal pain                Cascara Sagrada
                                            Mineral oil                                    rectal irritation
                                                                                     Can become dependent on it
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Motion sickness                  Dimenhydrinate                              drowsiness                               Ginger
                                             Dramamine                                  blurred vision
                                                                                                  Dry mouth
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Muscle                             centrally- acting drugs                      muscle weakness                     valerian
Relaxants                         diazepam, chorzoxazone                     drowsiness                           Blue Vervain
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Sleep aids                            Benzodiazipines                                 addiction                             Chamomile
                                               Barbiturates                                 blurred vision                      Valerian, Hops
                                                                                              Dizziness, headaches                Passion flower
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Ulcer                                        cimetidine                        breast enlargement in men            Cabbage juice
Medications                              tagamet                           impotence, rash, headache
                                                 Sucralfate                           nausea, dizziness
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