Some herbal teas like ashwagandha and ginkgo biloba can interact with certain medications.
St. John\u2019s wort may reduce birth control effectiveness and increase blood clotting risks.
Goldenseal and chamomile may also affect medications\u2014always consult your healthcare provider.<\/p>\n
Iced or hot, there is something nostalgic and comforting in sharing a conversation over a cup of tea. Herbal teas have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years. These teas come in a variety of flavors that have unique health properties. But, if you have a health condition that requires medication, be aware that certain herbal teas can interfere with both prescription and nonprescription drugs.\n<\/p>\n
Read on to learn more about which teas can affect your medication, plus ways to enjoy herbal teas.\n<\/p>\n
What Is Herbal Tea?\u00a0 <\/p>\n
Herbal teas are not the same as \u201ctrue teas,\u201d such as black, oolong, green and white varieties, which are made from Camellia sinensis<\/a> (tea plant). Herbal teas, on the other hand, are made from a range of plants and can be prepared from their leaves, stems, roots, fruits, buds and flowers.\n<\/p>\n In addition, herbal tea is caffeine-free, while true teas contain caffeine, says Caroline Thomason, RD, CDCES<\/a>. Herbal varieties also tend to have a milder or sweeter taste, compared to the bitter flavors of true tea, she says.\n<\/p>\n Flavor combinations such as apple cinnamon, chamomile, mint, chai, ginger turmeric, elderberry, tulsi, lemon and rooibos red tea are just some of the types of herbal teas you will find on grocery store shelves. \u201cMost herbal teas are considered to be generally safe when consumed in moderation and can definitely be included as part of a complete and nutrient-dense diet,\u201d says Lena Bakovic, M.S., RDN, CNSC<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n However, if you read their labels, you might see a disclaimer on herbal tea that recommends people speak with their medical provider if they have a medical condition or take medication. And that\u2019s good advice, especially if you\u2019re sipping the following five teas.\n<\/p>\n 1. Ashwagandha <\/p>\n Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is an herb traditionally used to reduce stress, enhance well-being, reduce anxiety and improve sleep quality and duration. Ashwagandha may be an added ingredient in different formulations of herbal teas promoted for stress reduction and inducing a calming effect.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n However, large amounts of ashwagandha in supplement form may interact with medications such as sedatives, antianxiety drugs, thyroid medications, and diabetes or blood pressure medications. It may also affect how immunosuppressants work. While the amount of ashwagandha in herbal tea is likely much lower than in supplements, it\u2019s still best to consult a health care professional before using it alongside any medication..\n<\/p>\n 2. Ginkgo Biloba\u00a0 <\/p>\n Ginkgo biloba is a plant rich in antioxidant compounds called flavonoids that may help dilate blood vessels to improve circulation. For some folks, that can be a problem. \u201cGinkgo biloba tea can slow down blood clotting, which poses an interaction with blood thinner medicines and can also interact with NSAID medications, such as ibuprofen, by increasing the risk of bleeding,\u201d says Bakovic. Therefore, people with a known bleeding risk should be cautious about using ginkgo biloba products<\/a>.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n 3. St. John\u2019s Wort\u00a0 <\/p>\n St John\u2019s wort comes from the flowering plant tops of Hypericum perforatum and has been studied for its use in treating symptoms of depression, wound healing, ADHD and menopausal symptoms, among others. However, there is a great deal of evidence that suggests that SJW can interfere with many types of medications, reducing their effectiveness.\n<\/p>\n Some of the potential interactions? \u201cSt. John\u2019s wort can impact selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) due to increasing serotonin levels, reduce the efficacy of birth control medications by changing how our body metabolizes them, and worsen the use of blood thinners by increasing blood clotting risks,\u201d says Thomason.\n<\/p>\n 4. Goldenseal\u00a0 <\/p>\n Goldenseal<\/a> (Hydrastis canadensis), also known as yellow root, has been used as a remedy for colds and other respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), ulcers and digestive issues like diarrhea and constipation. Goldenseal may interfere with certain diabetes medications, such as metformin, by reducing their effectiveness.\n<\/p>\n 5. Chamomile\u00a0 <\/p>\n Chamomile tea<\/a> is often promoted as a stress-reliever or the perfect bedtime tea. Although amounts in teas are likely to be safe, chamomile can potentially interact with warfarin (a blood thinner) and cyclosporine (an immunosuppressant drug used after organ transplant).\n<\/p>\n In addition, you may need to take precautions if you have diabetes, says Bakovic. \u201cIf a person with diabetes chooses to have chamomile tea on a regular basis, it is recommended that they closely monitor their blood sugars for potential blood sugar lowering effects,\u201d she explains.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Herbal Tea Tips <\/p>\n Drinking tea is a wonderful way to hit your hydration goals, especially if you have a hard time drinking plain water. \u201cHerbal teas can be a great part of a healthy diet, as they contain antioxidants and nutrients that you may not consume otherwise,\u201d Thomason says. \u201cSince herbal tea does not contain caffeine, you can easily incorporate it at any time throughout the day, and it is delicious whether served hot or cold,\u201d she adds. Brew herbal tea in a large container and store it in the refrigerator for a refreshing beverage choice. And as long as it\u2019s safe for you to do so, try these recipes for Herbal Chamomile Health Tonic<\/a>, Lavender-Chamomile Herbal Tea<\/a> or Hibiscus-Pomegranate Iced Tea<\/a>.\n<\/p>\n Our Expert Take <\/p>\n Herbal teas are a great addition to a healthy eating plan, providing fluids and antioxidants. They contain no caffeine and come in a variety of flavors. Depending on how much you consume and what type, some herbal teas, such as ashwagandha and ginkgo biloba, have the potential to interact with medications. Be sure to reach out to a medical provider if you are unsure whether the herbal tea you consume can impact the effectiveness of your medications, especially if you drink it regularly.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Some herbal teas like ashwagandha and ginkgo biloba can interact with certain medications.St. John\u2019s wort may reduce birth…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41693,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[33],"tags":[64,63,137,490],"class_list":{"0":"post-41692","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-medication","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-health","11":"tag-medication"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41692","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41692"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41692\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41693"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41692"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41692"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41692"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}