Coltsfoot
Also Called: coughwort, Farfarae folium leaf, foalswort, Tussilago farfara.
Claimed Benefits: relieves cough, sore throat, laryngitis, bronchitis, asthma.
Potential Harms: liver damage, possible carcinogen.
Comfrey
Also Called: blackwort, bruisewort, slippery root, Symphytum officinale.
Claimed Benefits: relieves cough, heavy menstrual periods, stomach problems, chest pain; treats cancer.
Potential Harms: liver damage, cancer.
Germander
Also Called: Teucrium chamaedrys, Teucrium viscidum.
Claimed Benefits: weight loss; alleviates fever, arthritis, gout, stomach problems.
Potential Harms: liver damage, hepatitis.
Greater Celandine
Also Called: celandine, Chelidonium majus.
Claimed Benefit: alleviates stomachache.
Potential Harm: liver damage.
Kava
Also Called: ava pepper, kava kava, Piper methysticum.
Claimed Benefits: eases anxiety, helps sleep.
Potential Harms: liver damage, exacerbates Parkinson’s disease and depression, impairs driving.
Lobelia
Also Called: asthma weed, Lobelia inflata, vomit wort, wild tobacco.
Claimed Benefits: helps respiratory problems, smoking cessation.
Potential Harms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tremors, rapid heartbeat, confusion, seizures, hypothermia, coma.
Pennyroyal Oil
Also Called: Hedeoma pulegioides, Mentha pulegium.
Claimed Benefits: improves breathing problems, digestive disorders.
Potential Harms: liver and kidney failure, nerve damage, convulsions.
Usnic Acid
Also Called: beard moss, tree moss, usnea.
Claimed Benefits: weight loss, pain relief.
Potential Harm: liver injury.
Yohimbe
Also Called: Johimbi, Pausinystalia yohimbe, yohimbine, Corynanthe johimbi.
Claimed Benefits: treats low libido and erectile dysfunction, depression, obesity.
Potential Harms: raises blood pressure; causes rapid heart rate, headaches, seizures, liver and kidney problems, heart problems, panic attacks.