Professional's Library
What herbs should physicians ask their cancer patients about? Which supplements could be useful in treating or preventing cancer? What scientific evidence supports the use of an alternative therapy? The alternative health fact sheets here are designed for the practicing clinician. These comprehensive pages cover more than 45 herbs associated with cancer and its conventional treatment. The fact sheets include information on the approach to the patient, proposed medical uses, the scientific evidence, mechanisms of action, dosage, safety issues, and drug interactions.
Browse by Proposed Use | Browse Alphabetically | Drug Interactions With Herbs and Supplements
Browse by Proposed Use
Cancer Prevention
Cancer Treatment
Cancer Prevention
Principal Proposed Substances:
Other Proposed Substances:
- Boron
- Bromelain
- Calcium
- Cartilage
- Conjugated linoleic acid
- Fish oil (Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA))
- Flaxseed (lignans)
- Genistein
- Ginseng
- Glycine
- Grass pollen extract
- Inositol hexaphosphate
- Kelp
- Licorice
- Melatonin
- Milk thistle
- MSM (Methyl sulfonyl methane)
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
- Nettle
- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Probiotics
- Quercetin
- Schisandra
- Spirulina (and other blue-green algae)
- Turmeric
- Vitamin D
Not Recommended:
Cancer Treatment
To Improve the Effectiveness of Conventional Cancer Treatment:
- American ginseng
- Fish oil (Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA))
- Ginkgo
- Lycopene
- Melatonin
- Shark cartilage
- Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus)
- Vitamin D
To Manage the Side Effects of Cancer Treatment:
- Aloe vera gel
- Beta-carotene
- Chamomile cream
- Citrus bioflavinoids
- Coenzyme Q10
- Colostrum
- Fish oil (Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA))
- Glutamine
- Ginger
- Grapeseed oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Melatonin
- Milk thistle
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
- Oxerutins
- Probiotics
- Proteolytic enzymes
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Use With Caution During Cancer Treatment:
- Androstenedione
- Beta-carotene
- Boron
- Dong quai
- Estriol
- Folate
- Genistein
- Ginseng
- Hops
- Licorice
- Red clover
- Soy
- St. John's wort
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
Browse Alphabetically
- Aloe vera gel
- American ginseng
- Androstenedione
- Beta-carotene
- Boron
- Bromelain
- Calcium
- Cartilage
- Chamomile cream
- Citrus bioflavinoids
- Coenzyme Q10
- Colostrum
- Conjugated linoleic acid
- Dong quai
- Estriol
- Fish oil (Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA))
- Flaxseed (lignans)
- Folate
- Garlic
- Genistein
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Glutamine
- Glycine
- Grapeseed oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Grass pollen extract
- Green tea
- Hops
- Inositol hexaphosphate
- Isoflavones
- Kelp
- Licorice
- Lycopene
- Melatonin
- Milk thistle
- MSM (Methyl sulfonyl methane)
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC)
- Nettle
- Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs)
- Oxerutins
- Probiotics
- Proteolytic enzymes
- Quercetin
- Red clover
- Schisandra
- Selenium
- Shark cartilage
- Siberian ginseng (eleutherococcus)
- Soy
- Soy Protein
- Spirulina (and other blue-green algae)
- St. John's wort
- Tomatoes (lycopene)
- Turmeric
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Zinc
Drug Interactions With Herbs and Supplements
Please refer to HealthGate Editorial Policy on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Content for information on the scientific review process, or get information on our Complementary and Alternative Medicine Editorial Board .
ACE Inhibitors, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Acetaminophen, See
Analgesics
Acne Preparations
Interactions with Specific Acne Preparations:
Isotretinoin:
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Interactions with Specific AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents:
Non-nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors:
Protease Inhibitors:
Analgesics
Interactions with Specific Analgesics:
Acetaminophen:
Narcotic Analgesics:
NSAIDS:
Note: For NSAIDS (such as aspirin) that have strong antiplatelet effects, see also Antiplatelet Agents . For NSAIDs with photosensitizing effects (such as piroxicam), see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Antacids (Aluminum-Containing)
Interactions with Antacids (Aluminum-Containing) in General:
Calcium
Antiacne Agents, See
Acne Preparations
Antianxiety Agents, See
Sedatives
Antibiotics
Interactions with Antibiotics in General:
Interactions with Specific Antibiotics:
Erythromycin:
Fluoroquinolone Antibiotics:
Nitrofurantoin:
Sulfonamides:
Tetracycline Antibiotics:
Note: For antibiotics with photosensitizing effects, see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Anticoagulant Agents
Interactions with Anticoagulant Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Anticoagulant Agents:
Anticonvulsant Agents
Interactions with Anticonvulsant Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Anticonvulsant Agents:
Carbamazepine:
Phenytoin:
Primidone:
Valproate:
Antidepressants
Interactions with Antidepressants in General:
Interactions with Specific Antidepressants:
MAO Inhibitors:
Interactions with MAO Inhibitors in General:
Interactions with Specific MAO Inhibitors:
Phenelzine:
Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Interactions with Tricyclic Antidepressants in General:
Interactions with Specific Tricyclic Antidepressants:
Clomipramine:
Antidiabetic Agents
Interactions with Antidiabetic Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Antidiabetic Agents:
Sulfonylureas:
Interactions with Sulfonylureas in General:
Interactions with Specific Sulfonylureas:
Tolbutamide:
Antifungals
Interactions with Specific Antifungals:
Azole Antifungals:
Antihypertensive Agents
Interactions with Antihypertensive Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Antihypertensive Agents:
ACE Inhibitors:
Interactions with ACE Inhibitors in General:
Interactions with Specific ACE inhibitors:
Beta-Blockers:
Calcium
Calcium Channel Blockers:
Interactions with Calcium Channel Blockers in General:
Calcium
Interactions with Specific Calcium Channel Blockers:
Nitrendipine:
Methyldopa:
Nitroprusside:
Anti-insomnia Agents, See
Sedatives
Antilipemic Agents, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Antimetabolites
Interactions with Specific Antimetabolites:
Methotrexate:
Antimanic Agents, See
Mood Stabilizers
Antimigraine Agents, See
Serotonergic Agents
Anti-Parkinsonian Agents
Interactions with Anti-Parkinsonian Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Anti-Parkinsonian Agents:
Antiplatelet Agents
Interactions with Antiplatelet Agents in General:
OPCs (Oligomeric Proanthocyanidin Complexes)
Note: For antiplatelet agents (such as aspirin) that have anti-inflammatory properties, see also NSAIDS .
Antipsychotic Agents
Interactions with Antipsychotic Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Antipsychotic Agents:
Atypical Antipsychotic Agents:
Interactions with Atypical Antipsychotic Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Atypical Antipsychotic Agents:
3Clozapine:
Phenothiazines:
Antischizophrenics, See
Antipsychotic Agents
Barbiturates, See
Sedatives
Benzodiazepines, See
Sedatives
Beta-Blockers, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Bisphosphonates, See
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Blood Modifiers, See
Anticoagulants
and
Antiplatelet Agents
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Interactions with Specific Bone Metabolism Regulators:
Bisphosphonates:
Bromocriptine, See
Dopamine Agonists
Calcium Channel Blockers, See
Antihypertensive Agents
Cancer Chemotherapy Agents
Interactions with Cancer Chemotherapy Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Cancer Chemotherapy Agents:
Doxorubicin:
Etoposide:
Mitoxantrone:
Teniposide:
Cardiac Glycosides (e.g., Digoxin)
Interactions with Cardiac Glycosides (e.g., Digoxin) in General:
Cardiovascular Agents, See
Antihypertensives
;
Cardiac Glycosides
;
Coronary Vasodilators
;
Diuretics
; and
Hypolipidemics
Chelating Agents
CNS Depressants, See
Sedatives
CNS Stimulants
Interactions with CNS Stimulants in General:
Coronary Vasodilators (Nitrates)
Interactions with Coronary Vasodilators (Nitrates) in General:
Corticosteroids
Interactions with Corticosteroids in General:
Cyclosporine, See
Immunosuppressive Agents
Digitoxin, See
Cardiac Glycosides
Digoxin, See
Cardiac Glycosides
Diuretics
Interactions with Specific Diuretics:
Dopamine Agonists
Interactions with Dopamine Agonists in General:
Estrogens
Interactions with Estrogens in General:
Fibric Acid Derivatives, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Fungal Medications, See
Antifungals
Gastrointestinal Agents, See
Antacids (Aluminum-Containing)
;
H2-Blocking Agents
; and
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Glucocorticoids, See
Corticosteroids
Gout Preparations
Interactions with Specific Gout Preparations:
Probenecid:
H2-Blocking Agents
Interactions with H2-Blocking Agents in General:
Heparin, See
Anticoagulant Agents
HIV Therapy, See
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Hormonal Therapies, See
Estrogens
;
Progesterone
; and
Thyroid Hormone
Hormone-Replacement Therapy, See
Estrogens
and
Progesterone
Hydantoins, See
Anticonvulsants
Hypnotics, See
Sedatives
Hypoglycemic Agents, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Hypolipidemic Agents
Interactions with Specific Hypolipidemic Agents:
Fibric Acid Derivatives:
Niacin:
Statins:
Immunosuppressive Agents
Interactions with Immunosuppressive Agents in General:
Interactions with Specific Immunosuppressive Agents:
Cyclosporine:
Insomnia Medications, See
Sedatives
Insulin, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Loop Diuretics, See
Diuretics
MAO Inhibitors, See
Antidepressants
Metabolic Agents, See
Thyroid Hormone
Methotrexate, See
Antimetabolites
Migraine Medications, See
Serotonergic Agents
Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors, See
Antidepressants
Mood Stabilizers
Interactions with Specific Mood Stabilizers:
Anticonvulsants
Interactions with Anticonvulsants in General:
Interactions with Specific Anticonvulsants:
Carbamazepine:
Phenytoin:
Primidone:
Valproate:
Lithium:
Narcotic Analgesics, See
Analgesics
Nitrates, See
Coronary Vasodilators
Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Interactions with Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) in General:
Note: For NSAIDS (such as aspirin) that have strong antiplatelet effects, see also Antiplatelet Agents . For NSAIDs with photosensitizing effects (such as piroxicam), see also Photosensitizing Agents .
Opiates, See
Analgesics
Oral Contraceptives
Interactions with Oral Contraceptives in General:
Oral Hypoglycemic Agents, See
Antidiabetic Agents
Osteoporosis Preparations, See
Bone Metabolism Regulators
Pain Treatments, See
Analgesics
Penicillamine, See
Chelating Agents
Phenothiazines, See
Antipsychotic Agents
Phenytoin, See
Anticonvulsant Agents
Photosensitizing Agents
Interactions with Photosensitizing Agents in General:
Platelet Inhibitors, See
Antiplatelet Agents
Potassium-Sparing Diuretics, See
Diuretics
Progesterone
Interactions with Progesterone in General:
Protease Inhibitors, See
AIDS Chemotherapeutic Agents
Proton Pump Inhibitors
Interactions with Proton Pump Inhibitors in General:
Sedatives
Interactions with Sedatives in General:
Interactions with Specific Sedatives:
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), See
Antidepressants
Serotonergic Agents
Interactions with Serotonergic Agents in General:
Sleep Aids, See
Sedatives
SSRI Antidepressants, See
Antidepressants
Statins, See
Hypolipidemic Agents
Stimulants (CNS), See
CNS stimulants
Theophylline
Interactions with Theophylline in General:
Thiazide Diuretics, See
Diuretic Agents
Thyroid Hormone
Thyroid Imaging
Interactions with Thyroid Imaging in General:
Tranquilizers, See
Antipsychotic Agents
and
Sedatives
Triptan Anti-migraine Agents, See
Serotonergic Agents
Uricosuric Agents, See
Gout Preparations
Vasodilators, See
Coronary Vasodilators
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
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