Herbalism Herbal Safety & Contraindications

Question 1

Which herb is contraindicated throughout pregnancy due to its potent uterine-stimulating (emmenagogue) properties?

Accepted Answer

Pennyroyal

Answer

Pennyroyal contains pulegone, a hepatotoxic compound that strongly stimulates uterine contractions and has caused miscarriages and maternal deaths.

Question 2

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) found in comfrey and coltsfoot raise safety concerns primarily because they are:

Accepted Answer

Hepatotoxic and potentially carcinogenic with repeated use

Answer

Pyrrolizidine alkaloids cause veno-occlusive liver disease and are classified as probable human carcinogens; internal use of high-PA herbs is restricted in the US.

Question 3

Ephedra (ma huang) was banned by the FDA in the US as a dietary supplement in 2004 due to serious risks including:

Accepted Answer

Cardiovascular events including heart attack, stroke, and death

Answer

Ephedra's alkaloids (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine) caused numerous cardiovascular events and deaths, leading to an FDA ban on ephedra-containing dietary supplements.

Question 4

Which herb should be used with extreme caution in patients with existing liver disease?

Accepted Answer

Kava kava

Answer

Kava has been associated with rare but serious cases of hepatotoxicity, and patients with liver impairment should avoid it entirely.

Question 5

Aristolochic acid found in Aristolochia species is notorious for causing:

Accepted Answer

Aristolochic acid nephropathy and urothelial cancer

Answer

Aristolochic acid causes permanent kidney damage (aristolochic acid nephropathy) and is strongly associated with urothelial carcinoma.

Herbalism Practice Test

Herbalism Practice Test

Herbalism Herbal Safety & Contraindications