10 medicinal plants to avoid if you’re having surgery
That daily cup of macerate is a relaxing ritual for many – but if you’re heading into surgery, it can quietly become a problem. Certain medicinal plants contain active compounds that may increase bleeding risk, interfere with anaesthesia, or push your blood pressure and heart rhythm in the wrong direction. And because they’re natural, many people don’t even think to mention them when doctor asks what, if any, treatments are taken by the patient.
Medicinal plants to avoid before surgery (and why):
Ginseng – Can interfere with blood clotting and may affect blood sugar, which matters when you’re fasting.
Ginger – Popular for nausea, but may increase bleeding risk by disrupting normal clotting.
Ginkgo – Often used for memory and circulation, but can raise bleeding risk and interact with blood thinners.
Turmeric – Anti-inflammatory, but may increase bleeding risk and interfere with how the liver processes drugs used during anaesthesia.
Kava – Known for calming effects, but can dangerously amplify sedation and interact with anaesthesia medications.
St. John’s wort – Often used for mood, but is notorious for altering drug metabolism and potentially modifying how anaesthesia and other meds work.
Liquorice root – Can raise blood pressure and lower potassium, which may strain the cardiovascular system before surgery.
Ma huang (ephedra) – A serious red flag: linked to dangerous cardiovascular effects and banned in U.S. supplements, but still found in some products.
Yerba mate – Stimulating and caffeinated, which can affect heart rate and blood pressure and complicate surgical prep.
Valerian – A sleep plant that acts on calming brain receptors, but can interact with sedatives or cause withdrawal-like effects if stopped abruptly.
The key takeaway: If surgery is coming up, treat medicinal plants like a real medical variable – because they can act like drugs inside the body. The smartest move is to tell your surgical team exactly what you’ve been drinking and taking, even if it seems minor, so you don’t walk into the operating room with a hidden risk.
yogaesoteric
February 12, 2026