Herbals and teas

Hi @contentandwell – @colleenyoung flagged your post for us wondering if we had access to any additional information within Mayo’s transplant center. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but we did consult Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester. Here’s what she said: “Your question is a great one – and one that we do not have a quick or easy answer for. As you have found there is NOT a comprehensive list of herbals and teas to avoid post-transplant. This is partially because there is limited information regarding some of the herbals, partially because so many of these products contain multiple ingredients and partially because this market is ever changing – it literally could be a full-time job to keep a list like this up!

Here in our transplant center we advise patients to avoid herbal supplements and teas as an overall statement – however, if there are a few in particular that someone is interested in consuming, we will review the ingredients on a case-by-case or one-by-one basis. You are correct in your findings that Echinacea and licorice root teas would not be recommended. For the others you mentioned, I referenced the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com) that our institution subscribes to. Ginger is fine for transplant recipients– especially in the amounts we would normally consume in foods. Turmeric is also likely safe, however does list a side effect of possible constipation and there is a case report of very elevated tacrolimus levels in a post-transplant patient who had started taking 15 spoonfuls of turmeric powder on a daily basis – which we would describe as an excessive amount. We do not see this issue with patients who use turmeric in cooking. Cardamom has no known concerns so should be safe to consume, also. Green tea is a bit more complicated as there are several medications that may interact with green tea such as anticoagulants (Warfarin, Plavix etc.), some types of chemotherapy and Corgard. If you take any of these types of medications it is advisable to not take green tea. Otherwise, again, in normal amounts (not more than 3 caffeinated beverages per day) green tea should be fine to consume.”

Reminder, this is general information that could relate to any patient. For your particular case, we strongly suggest you consult your physician team before you consume any herbal or teas to be sure they are safe with your particular medications and illnesses.

I hope that helps!

@kequick @contentandwell @colleenyoung I'm so impressed - when I y'all do not have an answer you go the extra distance to find it. I just want to add another thought to why a list would be difficult. That is one size really does not fit all. I may have an intolerance or am downright allergic to an ingredient that you may need for overall health & of course vice versa

Hi @contentandwell – @colleenyoung flagged your post for us wondering if we had access to any additional information within Mayo’s transplant center. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but we did consult Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester. Here’s what she said: “Your question is a great one – and one that we do not have a quick or easy answer for. As you have found there is NOT a comprehensive list of herbals and teas to avoid post-transplant. This is partially because there is limited information regarding some of the herbals, partially because so many of these products contain multiple ingredients and partially because this market is ever changing – it literally could be a full-time job to keep a list like this up!

Here in our transplant center we advise patients to avoid herbal supplements and teas as an overall statement – however, if there are a few in particular that someone is interested in consuming, we will review the ingredients on a case-by-case or one-by-one basis. You are correct in your findings that Echinacea and licorice root teas would not be recommended. For the others you mentioned, I referenced the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com) that our institution subscribes to. Ginger is fine for transplant recipients– especially in the amounts we would normally consume in foods. Turmeric is also likely safe, however does list a side effect of possible constipation and there is a case report of very elevated tacrolimus levels in a post-transplant patient who had started taking 15 spoonfuls of turmeric powder on a daily basis – which we would describe as an excessive amount. We do not see this issue with patients who use turmeric in cooking. Cardamom has no known concerns so should be safe to consume, also. Green tea is a bit more complicated as there are several medications that may interact with green tea such as anticoagulants (Warfarin, Plavix etc.), some types of chemotherapy and Corgard. If you take any of these types of medications it is advisable to not take green tea. Otherwise, again, in normal amounts (not more than 3 caffeinated beverages per day) green tea should be fine to consume.”

Reminder, this is general information that could relate to any patient. For your particular case, we strongly suggest you consult your physician team before you consume any herbal or teas to be sure they are safe with your particular medications and illnesses.

I hope that helps!

Hi @contentandwell – @colleenyoung flagged your post for us wondering if we had access to any additional information within Mayo’s transplant center. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but we did consult Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester. Here’s what she said: “Your question is a great one – and one that we do not have a quick or easy answer for. As you have found there is NOT a comprehensive list of herbals and teas to avoid post-transplant. This is partially because there is limited information regarding some of the herbals, partially because so many of these products contain multiple ingredients and partially because this market is ever changing – it literally could be a full-time job to keep a list like this up!

Here in our transplant center we advise patients to avoid herbal supplements and teas as an overall statement – however, if there are a few in particular that someone is interested in consuming, we will review the ingredients on a case-by-case or one-by-one basis. You are correct in your findings that Echinacea and licorice root teas would not be recommended. For the others you mentioned, I referenced the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com) that our institution subscribes to. Ginger is fine for transplant recipients– especially in the amounts we would normally consume in foods. Turmeric is also likely safe, however does list a side effect of possible constipation and there is a case report of very elevated tacrolimus levels in a post-transplant patient who had started taking 15 spoonfuls of turmeric powder on a daily basis – which we would describe as an excessive amount. We do not see this issue with patients who use turmeric in cooking. Cardamom has no known concerns so should be safe to consume, also. Green tea is a bit more complicated as there are several medications that may interact with green tea such as anticoagulants (Warfarin, Plavix etc.), some types of chemotherapy and Corgard. If you take any of these types of medications it is advisable to not take green tea. Otherwise, again, in normal amounts (not more than 3 caffeinated beverages per day) green tea should be fine to consume.”

Reminder, this is general information that could relate to any patient. For your particular case, we strongly suggest you consult your physician team before you consume any herbal or teas to be sure they are safe with your particular medications and illnesses.

I hope that helps!

@kequick @contentandwell @colleenyoung I'm so impressed - when I y'all do not have an answer you go the extra distance to find it. I just want to add another thought to why a list would be difficult. That is one size really does not fit all. I may have an intolerance or am downright allergic to an ingredient that you may need for overall health & of course vice versa

Hi @contentandwell – @colleenyoung flagged your post for us wondering if we had access to any additional information within Mayo’s transplant center. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but we did consult Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester. Here’s what she said: “Your question is a great one – and one that we do not have a quick or easy answer for. As you have found there is NOT a comprehensive list of herbals and teas to avoid post-transplant. This is partially because there is limited information regarding some of the herbals, partially because so many of these products contain multiple ingredients and partially because this market is ever changing – it literally could be a full-time job to keep a list like this up!

Here in our transplant center we advise patients to avoid herbal supplements and teas as an overall statement – however, if there are a few in particular that someone is interested in consuming, we will review the ingredients on a case-by-case or one-by-one basis. You are correct in your findings that Echinacea and licorice root teas would not be recommended. For the others you mentioned, I referenced the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com) that our institution subscribes to. Ginger is fine for transplant recipients– especially in the amounts we would normally consume in foods. Turmeric is also likely safe, however does list a side effect of possible constipation and there is a case report of very elevated tacrolimus levels in a post-transplant patient who had started taking 15 spoonfuls of turmeric powder on a daily basis – which we would describe as an excessive amount. We do not see this issue with patients who use turmeric in cooking. Cardamom has no known concerns so should be safe to consume, also. Green tea is a bit more complicated as there are several medications that may interact with green tea such as anticoagulants (Warfarin, Plavix etc.), some types of chemotherapy and Corgard. If you take any of these types of medications it is advisable to not take green tea. Otherwise, again, in normal amounts (not more than 3 caffeinated beverages per day) green tea should be fine to consume.”

Reminder, this is general information that could relate to any patient. For your particular case, we strongly suggest you consult your physician team before you consume any herbal or teas to be sure they are safe with your particular medications and illnesses.

I hope that helps!

Hi @contentandwell – @colleenyoung flagged your post for us wondering if we had access to any additional information within Mayo’s transplant center. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a comprehensive list, but we did consult Heather Bamlet, RDN, LD, transplant clinical dietitian at Mayo Clinic’s campus in Rochester. Here’s what she said: “Your question is a great one – and one that we do not have a quick or easy answer for. As you have found there is NOT a comprehensive list of herbals and teas to avoid post-transplant. This is partially because there is limited information regarding some of the herbals, partially because so many of these products contain multiple ingredients and partially because this market is ever changing – it literally could be a full-time job to keep a list like this up!

Here in our transplant center we advise patients to avoid herbal supplements and teas as an overall statement – however, if there are a few in particular that someone is interested in consuming, we will review the ingredients on a case-by-case or one-by-one basis. You are correct in your findings that Echinacea and licorice root teas would not be recommended. For the others you mentioned, I referenced the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database (naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com) that our institution subscribes to. Ginger is fine for transplant recipients– especially in the amounts we would normally consume in foods. Turmeric is also likely safe, however does list a side effect of possible constipation and there is a case report of very elevated tacrolimus levels in a post-transplant patient who had started taking 15 spoonfuls of turmeric powder on a daily basis – which we would describe as an excessive amount. We do not see this issue with patients who use turmeric in cooking. Cardamom has no known concerns so should be safe to consume, also. Green tea is a bit more complicated as there are several medications that may interact with green tea such as anticoagulants (Warfarin, Plavix etc.), some types of chemotherapy and Corgard. If you take any of these types of medications it is advisable to not take green tea. Otherwise, again, in normal amounts (not more than 3 caffeinated beverages per day) green tea should be fine to consume.”

Reminder, this is general information that could relate to any patient. For your particular case, we strongly suggest you consult your physician team before you consume any herbal or teas to be sure they are safe with your particular medications and illnesses.

I hope that helps!