Herbal Supplements to Avoid Post Surgery

Below is a list of Herbal Supplements and the possible interactions/complications you may experience after surgery:

Aloe - May lower potassium level if eaten.
Bilberry- May cause bleeding.
Cayenne- May cause bleeding.
Danshen- May cause bleeding.
Dong guai- May cause bleeding.
Echinacea- Can affect liver during general anesthesia and can be harmful to immunosuppressed patients. It may interfere with healing and should be stopped several months before surgery.
Ephedra- May cause abnormal heartbeat; may cause extreme high blood pressure and coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia.
Feverfew- May cause bleeding.
Garlic- May cause bleeding. You should stop taking at least a week before surgery.
Ginger- May cause bleeding.
Ginkgo- May cause bleeding. You should stop taking about 2 days before surgery.
Ginseng- May slow blood clotting; may cause low blood sugar levels in fasting patients; may cause rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure. You should stop taking 2 days before surgery.
Goldenseal- May cause or worsen high blood pressure.
Kava- Increases the effects of anesthesia and may slow the recovery. You should stop taking at least 24-3 6 hours before surgery.
Licorice (not including licorice candy)- May increase blood pressure. May interact with Demerol.
Melatonin- Decreases the amount of anesthesia needed.
PC-SPES- Has an estrogenic effect that may increase the risk of blood clots in the legs.
Senna- May cause electrolyte imbalance.
St. John’s Wort- May increase or decrease the effects of some drugs used during and after surgery. May interact with Demerol. You should stop taking about 5-7 days before surgery.
Valerian- Increases the effects of anesthesia and may slow the recovery. Do not stop suddenly, but gradually taper off for several weeks.
Yohimbe (natural Viagra)- May interact with Demerol

Herbal Supplements to Avoid Post Surgery

Aloe - May lower potassium level if eaten.

Bilberry- May cause bleeding.

Cayenne- May cause bleeding.

Danshen- May cause bleeding.

Dong guai- May cause bleeding.

Echinacea- Can affect liver during general anesthesia and can be harmful to immunosuppressed patients. It may interfere with healing and should be stopped several months before surgery.

Ephedra- May cause abnormal heartbeat; may cause extreme high blood pressure and coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia.

Feverfew- May cause bleeding.

Garlic- May cause bleeding. You should stop taking at least a week before surgery.

Ginger- May cause bleeding.

Ginkgo- May cause bleeding. You should stop taking about 2 days before surgery.

Ginseng- May slow blood clotting; may cause low blood sugar levels in fasting patients; may cause rapid heartbeat and high blood pressure. You should stop taking 2 days before surgery.

Goldenseal- May cause or worsen high blood pressure.

Kava- Increases the effects of anesthesia and may slow the recovery. You should stop taking at least 24-3 6 hours before surgery.

Licorice (not including licorice candy)- May increase blood pressure. May interact with Demerol.

Melatonin- Decreases the amount of anesthesia needed.

PC-SPES- Has an estrogenic effect that may increase the risk of blood clots in the legs.

Senna- May cause electrolyte imbalance.

St. John’s Wort- May increase or decrease the effects of some drugs used during and after surgery. May interact with Demerol. You should stop taking about 5-7 days before surgery.

Valerian- Increases the effects of anesthesia and may slow the recovery. Do not stop suddenly, but gradually taper off for several weeks.

Yohimbe (natural Viagra)- May interact with Demerol