A Guide to Common Medicinal Herbs Here's a look at some of the
more common medicinal herbs. Most herbs have not been thoroughly
tested for effectiveness or interactions with other herbs,
supplements, drugs, or foods. Products added to herbal
preparations may also cause interactions. It is important to
tell your health care providers about any herb or dietary
supplement you are using. Considered by some to be a cure-all,
chamomile is commonly used in the United States as a sedative,
it is used in Europe for wound healing and as an anti-
inflammatory agent. Few studies have evaluated its effectiveness
for any condition. It is consumed as a tea or applied as a
compress. It is considered safe by the FDA. It may increase
drowsiness caused by drugs or other herbs or supplements. It may
interfere with the way the body metabolizes some drugs, causing
too high a level of the drug in some people. As with any
medicinal herb, consult your health care provider prior to
taking it. (Leaf, stalk, root) Echinacea is commonly u