Contraindications

1) Avoid with heavy menstruation or bleeding between periods due to the increase in blood flow to the uterus caused by this herb. E

2) Do not use during pregnancy due to the emmenagogue and arbortifacient effects of this herb. The anthroquinone content is also potentially mutagenic and/or genotoxic.

3) Do not use for nursing mothers due to potentially genotoxic effects of the anthraquinones and the purging effects of this herb, which pass via the milk. S

4) Avoid with stomach/intestinal inflammation, which is accompanied by irritation or congestion due to the irritating effects of the anthranoid aloins. E

5) Avoid with inflamed haemorrhoids as this herb may induce stenosis, thrombosis or prolapse. E

6) Do not use with children under the age of 12 as this herb may deplete water and electrolytes.

7) Do not use this herb for longer than 2 weeks as long term use may cause loss of peristalsis due to intestinal smooth muscle nerve damage. E
8) Long term use of this herb may also cause hypokalaemia, which may in turn potentiate the action of cardiac glycosides and interact with prescibed arrhythmic medication.

9) Avoid where there is intestinal obstruction due to the stimulation of peristalsis by the anthroquinones.

10) Avoid where there are kidney disorders as excessive doses of this herb may cause nephritis. E

11) Do not use this herb where there is appendicitis or abdominal pain, as it increases the risk of rupturing an inflamed appendix or intestinal lesion.

12) Overuse of this herb may cause potassium loss.

13) Caution should be exercised where oral drugs are used in tandem with this herb, as there may be reduced absorption due to the increase in bowel transit time.

14) It has been shown that the use of this herb delays wound healing following laparotomy or caesarean.

The information contained in these pages is an indication of possible contraindications, but if you are at all concerned about any herb and its suitability for personal use please contact a herbal practitioner in your area or contact us.