The table below is for educational purposes, and is not meant to substitute for the advice of your health care provider. Herbal products are not approved by the FDA. They are not meant to cure or eliminate diseases.
| Medical Condition | OTC drug | Herbal Substitute |
|
Burns (minor) |
Aloe, Petroleum Jelly |
|
|
Colds (general symptoms) |
Dayquil, Nyquil, etc. |
|
|
Cold Sores |
Lysine |
|
|
Constipation |
Miralax, X-Lax |
|
|
Cough with phlegm |
Robatussen,cough drops |
Chuanbei Ye Syrup |
|
Diarrhea (occasional) |
Kaopectate, Pepto-Bismol |
|
|
Indigestion (simple) |
Pepto Bismol |
|
|
Injury Pain |
Motrin, Tylenol, Alieve |
|
|
Itching (poison oak, etc.) Itching (dry skin)** |
Cortisone creams Topical Moisturizers |
|
|
Mood ** |
Prescription meds only |
|
|
Nasal, Sinus Congestion |
Sudafed |
Allergy: Dr Shen’s Sinus Pills Cold: Bi Yan Pian |
|
Pain** |
Ibuprofen Acetaminophen Aspirin |
|
|
Skin: pimples with pus Skin: dry and inflamed** |
Topical cleansers Topical moisturizers |
|
|
Sleep** |
Benadryl, Aleve PM, others |
|
|
Sore Throat (topical) |
Cepacol, Chloraseptic |
