A patient report, "Last night I had several mixed drinks at a party. When I got home, I had difficulty falling sleep. I made two cups of herbal tea with lavender. This morning, I feel very groggy and have a headache." The nurse should explain that

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Lavender has sedative properties that are potentiated when used in combination with other central nervous system depressants. Headaches are another possible side effect of this herbal medicine. The nurse should advise caution in ingesting alcohol and lavender for these reasons. Taking lavender an hour after alcohol will not prevent these interactions, and it is likely that the lavender played a role in her feeling perhaps worse than usual after this episode of drinking. Herbal teas cause headaches in some cases, but it is not characteristic of this group of herbal remedies.

A Patient Report, "Last Night I Had Several Mixed Drinks