Liver & Gallbladder
Liver Safety Warnings
Herbs listed here have been linked to liver damage in some people. Most cases are rare, but they can be serious. Stop the product and see a doctor if you notice tiredness, loss of appetite, nausea, dark urine, or yellow skin or eyes.
Liver and gallbladder problems need diagnosis and care from a health professional. These herbs are listed because of traditional use or research, not because they're proven treatments. Some herbs and supplements can themselves harm the liver, and several shouldn't be used if you have gallstones. Check with your doctor or pharmacist first, especially if you have liver disease or take regular medicines.
21 herbs
Each note says whether the link comes from traditional use or research, and what the research found.
AloeAloe veraAloe leaf extracts taken by mouth have been linked to cases of acute hepatitis.
AshwagandhaWithania somniferaRarely, ashwagandha products have caused liver damage, usually 2 to 12 weeks after starting.
Aster RootAster tataricusReported to have some liver toxicity.
Black CohoshActaea racemosaCases of liver damage have been reported, though it's not certain black cohosh caused them. Stop and see a doctor if you notice dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.
BurdockArctium lappaOne case of sudden liver injury was reported after an herbal tea containing burdock. It protected the liver in rats, but hasn't been studied for this in people.
Chinaberry BarkMelia azedarachIts main compound, toosendanin, damages the liver; Melia fruit has been reported to cause liver injury.
CinnamonCinnamomum verumCassia cinnamon, the most common kind in North America, contains coumarin, which has been linked to liver problems.
EpazoteDysphania ambrosioidesPoisoning can affect the liver. High doses strained the liver and kidneys in rats.
Evodia FruitTetradium ruticarpumHas caused liver damage in rats and people.
Fo-TiReynoutria multifloraOne of the herbs most often linked to liver injury; hundreds of cases have been reported, a few fatal.
Giloy (Guduchi)Tinospora cordifoliaCases of liver injury, including autoimmune-like hepatitis, have been reported.
GinsengPanax ginsengLiver damage has been reported with Asian ginseng.
Gotu KolaCentella asiaticaLiver damage has been reported with gotu kola.
Green TeaCamellia sinensisGreen tea extract supplements are a well-established, though rare, cause of liver injury. Drinking green tea hasn't been linked to it.
KavaPiper methysticumKava products have been linked to rare but serious liver damage, including deaths.
Penny RoyalClinopodium browneiIts oil contains pulegone, also found in European pennyroyal, whose oil has caused deadly liver damage.
PeriwinkleCatharanthus roseusA woman who drank periwinkle juice developed liver damage with jaundice and recovered after stopping.
ReishiGanoderma lucidumCase reports describe liver damage from reishi, including one death.
Siamese CassiaSenna siameaBarakol tablets made from Siamese cassia caused hepatitis in 12 people in Thailand.
TurmericCurcuma longaLiver injury has been reported with turmeric, especially curcumin products made to be absorbed better.
ValerianValeriana officinalisIn very rare cases, liver damage has been reported with valerian.