Herbal Remedies

Tea Tree Oil is an herbal medicine used to treat fungal infections, such as athletes foot and toenail fungus. It is also used to treat acne.Other names for Tea Tree Oil include: Melaleuca alternifolia, Melaleuca Oil, Teebaum, and Ti Tree.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using: Tell your doctor if you …

•  are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
•  are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
•  are breastfeeding
•  have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Tea Tree Oil you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Tea Tree Oil. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Warnings:

•  Before using Tea Tree Oil, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
•  Do not use if you have an allergy to Tea Tree oil or turpentine (3)
•  Do not eat or drink Tea Tree oil. It is only for external use (4).

Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

•  Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
•  Chest pain
•  Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

•  Dryness, itching, stinging, burning, and redness of the skin 
•  Rash or skin irritation after putting it on your skin

Mate Tea

Other names: Jesuit’s Tea, Paraguay Tea, Yerba Mat

Mate Tea is A Remedy For

• Fatigue
• Heart palpitations
• Irregular heartbeat
• Kidney and bladder stones
• Urinary tract infections
• Weak heart

Mat is also used as a treatment for mental and physical fatigue and as a diuretic for flushing water from the body.

What Is Mate Tea; Why Mate Tea Works
Tea made from this herb is very popular in South America, the only source of the plant. Mat is an evergreen with white flowers and red fruit. Its medicinal parts are the dried or roasted leaves, which have proven to be a rich source of caffeine. Like coffee, Mat stimulates the central nervous system and has a diuretic effect. It also increases the force of heart contractions, affects heart rhythm, and breaks down sugars and fats in the body.

Avoid Mate Tea If…
You should avoid Mat if you are sensitive to caffeine or have a health condition that is aggravated by caffeine.

Special Cautions
Mat poses no problems when taken at normal dosage levels. However, high doses of caffeine taken regularly can lead to restlessness, irritability, insomnia, palpitations, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and headache.

Possible Mate Tea Drug Interactions
No interactions have been reported.

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Many doctors recommend limiting caffeine intake during pregnancy to the equivalent of 1 cup of coffee a day. Drinking the equivalent of 4 cups or more per day could slow the baby’s development.

How To Prepare Mate Tea 
Mat can be made into a tea by pouring boiling water over one-half teaspoonful (2 grams) of crushed Mat. Steep for 5 to 10 minutes then strain. You will find that the tea tastes better and is more stimulating if it is steeped only a short time.

   Mat is available alone and in various tea combinations. It’s also an ingredient in some commercial drinks.

Typical Mate Tea Dosage
Mat is taken orally. The usual daily dosage is 3 grams (about three-quarters of a teaspoonful).

Mate Tea Overdosage
Massive doses of caffeine can cause stiffness, muscle spasms, and heart irregularities, but are unlikely to be life-threatening. (The lethal dosage is the equivalent of 75 cups of coffee at one sitting.) Nevertheless, if you suspect an overdose–especially in a child–seek medical attention immediately.

What is Rooibos tea? Rooibos is an herbal medicine sometimes used in the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections and cancer. It is also used to prevent changes in the brain that occur with age.

Other names for Rooibos include: Aspalathus linearis, Aspalathus contaminata, Borbonia pinfolia, Kaffree tea, Psoralea linearis, Red bush and Rooibos tea.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using: Tell your doctor if you …

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Rooibos tea Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Rooibos you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Rooibos. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Warnings:

• Do not use Rooibos if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Possible Side Effects of Rooibos tea: This medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

What is Kombucha? Kombucha is called a mushroom, when, in fact, it is a collection of yeast and bacteria often grown in black tea. The “mushroom” itself is never eaten; instead, the liquid portion is drunk. It is claimed to be a detoxifier and used for weight loss and to stimulate the immune system. It has also been used for bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, increase energy, and to restore hair loss.

Other names for Kombucha include: Cembuya orientalis, Champagne of Live, Champignon de Longue Vie, Combucha, Dr. Sklenar’s Kombucha Mushroom Infusion, Fungojapon, Fungojapon Kombucha, Fungus Japonicus, Gelum Oral-Rd, Indo-Japanese Tea Fungus, Kargasok Tea, Kombucha Mushroom, Kombucha Tea, Kwassan, Manchurian Mushroom, Miracle Fungus, Mo-Gu, Olinka, Pinchia Fermentans, Spumonto, T’chai From the Sea, Tea Fungus, Tea Kvass, Teakwass, Tee Kwass, Tschambucco, Volga Spring, Wolga-Qualle, and Wolga Jellyfish.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using: Tell your doctor if you …

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breastfeeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much Kombucha you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking Kombucha. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the medicine bottle. Do not take more medicine or take it more often than the directions tell you to.

To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Warnings:

• Before taking Kombucha, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Heart and liver problems have been associated with the use of Kombucha (2-4)
• Do not take Kombucha if you have a decreased immune system (7)
• The tea that is made can produce many organisms that might cause problems including yeast, bacteria, and in a few cases, anthrax (1,5,6)

Side Effects: Stop taking your medicine right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms which may mean you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Possible Side Effects: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Irritability and restlessness may occur due to the caffeine content of the tea (1)
• Throwing up and upset stomach have been reported with the use of Kombucha (2)