Kava

Kava is an ancient crop used extensively as a religious herb in the Western Pacific. In the US, kava has become popular as a stress-fighter.

Recent concerns about kava's safety have made France and Switzerland ban the herb completely. In Germany, kava is only available by prescription. Cases of severe hepatic toxicity have been linked to the use of kava, but there are currently no definitive studies to confirm this. If you decide to take kava, do so under the close supervision of your physician.

Pennyroyal

The herb pennyroyal is a member of the mint family. Although primarily sold as an essential oil today, it was traditionally used in folk medicine to induce abortions. In dried herb form, it is used to treat indigestion and gallbladder problems, and studies suggest that it may lower blood sugar levels.

Pennyroyal dangers far outweigh its benefits. The FDA has warned consumers to avoid pennyroyal use in any form, including essential oils, as it can cause liver damage, blood vomiting, and fever. Agitation and hallucinations, followed by seizures and death have been reported. As little as one teaspoon of pennyroyal essential oil can lead to difficulty swallowing, irregular heartbeats, and irreversible damage to the brain and kidneys. Pregnant women should be very careful not to handle pennyroyal, as it can cause miscarriages.

Androstenedione

According to Wikipedia, "Androstenedione is manufactured as a dietary supplement, often called andro for short. The substance has similar effects to anabolic steroids when taken as a supplement, allowing users to build muscle mass."

The Controlled Substance Act has included both anabolic steroids and prohormones on the list of controlled substances. Since January 2005, possession of pure andro is considered a federal crime. Androstenedione causes estrogenic side effects, male infertility (with prolonged use), mood swings, and blurred vision. Andro also lowers HDL (the "good" cholesterol) levels.