Before taking black haw, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Black haw may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take black haw without first talking to your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with breast cancer. It is unknown whether black haw can stimulate breast cancer cell growth.
Do not take black haw without first talking to your doctor or health care provider if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether black haw will harm an unborn baby.
Do not take black haw without first talking to your doctor or health care provider if you are breast-feeding a baby. It is also not known whether black haw will harm a nursing infant.
There is no information available regarding the use of black haw by children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child’s doctor.
The use of black haw in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take black haw, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized extracts, tinctures, and solid formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Take the pill forms of black haw with a full glass of water.
To ensure the correct dose, measure the liquid forms of black haw with a dropper or a dose-measuring spoon or cup.
Some forms of black haw can be brewed to form a tea for drinking.
Do not use different formulations (e.g., tablets, liquids, teas, and others) of black haw at the same time, unless specifically directed to do so by a health care professional. Using different formulations together increases the risk of an overdose of black haw.
Store black haw as directed on the package. In general, black haw should be protected from light and moisture.
No information is available regarding a missed dose of black haw. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.
Although rare, allergic reactions to black haw may occur. Stop taking black haw and seek emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives.
Large doses of black haw have been reported to cause
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nausea,
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dizziness,
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seizures,
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visual disturbances,
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reduced pulse rate, and
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increased sweating.
Other side effects may also occur with the use of black haw. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
Do not take black haw without first talking to your doctor or health care provider if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. It is not known whether black haw will harm an unborn baby.
Black haw has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of black haw may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking black haw, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
Interactions between black haw and other prescription or over-the-counter medicines or herbal/health supplements have not been reported. Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional before taking black haw if you are taking any other medicines or supplements.
Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a black haw overdose are not well known but might include nausea, dizziness, seizures, visual disturbances, reduced pulse rate, and increased perspiration.