Are Herbal Remedies Really Safe? ALERT! (Herbalism)

Member Name: splodgethecat

Product:	Herbalism
Date:	30/07/01 (246 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Non prescription, Natural remedies which can alleviate problems

Disadvantages: Can interract badly with prescription medications

I was reading an article in a recent Readers’ Digest all about herbal remedies and how they can actually work against, reduce effectiveness of, or even magnify effects of G.P. prescribed medications. Apparently, many people are taking over-the-counter herbal preparations without prior consultation with their doctors, and these remedies are causing all sorts of complications. As I am on this healthy lifestyle kick, all this interested me greatly. I am not actually on any medication at the present time, but after reading the article, it occurred to me that if I were, I, like many others, wouldn’t even think twice about taking herbs because they are ‘natural’. Unfortunately, in this case, natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe.

~~~~~

I decided to look a little further into this, because I do take supplements and the occasional herbal preparation for the odd ailment and niggling health problem, and I was astounded at the potential dangers of these herbal products (if taken in conjunction with traditional medication). Some of the products I am going to mention here are being taken by thousands of people every day for a number of health related matters, so you might be surprised to find that you are taking something yourself which might actually be harming you.

~~~~~

St Johns Wort is something which has become very popular in recent times because of it’s effectiveness in alleviating mild to moderate depression. Dubbed ‘natural Prozac’, it is prescribed by doctors in Germany as much as prescription medication for the treatment of depressive illness. Sales of this herb have been absolutely huge. One brand purports to have sold over 80 million items in less than 10 years. (And this is just ONE brand.) Unfortunately, The Committee on Safety of Medicine says that the herb interacts with enzymes in our liver, which prevents the absorption of other prescription drugs, including the pill! Also, a
nyone taking epilepsy medication, tablets for bronchitis or asthma or medication for heart problems or blood clotting should see their G.P. and gradually stop taking St Johns Wort.

~~~~~

Ginkgo Biloba, a potent antioxidant, is believed to improve circulation to the brain, improve memory and increase concentration. Trials have also been done which have shown that it also helps in the reduction of migraine attacks. However, other studies suggest that the herb can impair fertility. Therefore, people who are trying to conceive should steer clear of it.

~~~~~

Echinacea is an excellent over-the-counter herb for boosting the immune system and protecting you from coughs, colds and niggling infections. Lots of people swear by its effectiveness (including myself) and trials have shown that it is very effective. You must be aware though, that Echinacea shouldn’t be taken long-term; no longer than 6 weeks at a stretch. If it is taken longer than the recommended 6 weeks, it could actually have the *opposite* effect and *reduce* your immune system’s effectiveness. Again, doubts have also been cast as to whether it should be taken by people trying to conceive a baby, as it may, like the last remedy have a negative effect on fertility.

~~~~~

Kava Kava is a herb that more and more people are starting to take for relieving anxiety and stress symptoms. It is a mild sedative and reduces muscle cramps or pain. It is also thought to improve memory and sharpen reactions. It has been shown in trials to be very effective for the treatment of panic attacks, insomnia and phobias. Unfortunately, it does not mix well with prescribed tranquillisers. It has been reported that one man fell into a coma after mixing a tranquilliser with Kava! Also, those on anti epileptic medicine should also steer clear of this herb. High quantities of Kava, which have been taken over long periods of time, have been linked to blood in the
urine and certain skin conditions. Also, it is advised that pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take it.

~~~~~

Lastly, a herbal preparation which is indicated for ‘women’s problems’ such as PMT, hot flushes, low sex drive, menopause etc. is Dong Quai. Although very effective for the problems mentioned above, it can be very dangerous for those who are already taking anti-coagulant (blood thinning) drugs, because mixing the two can cause internal bleeding and bruising.

~~~~~

I am sure there are more instances like these, but the ones I have mentioned here are some of the more popular and widely used herbal remedies. What about some of the lesser-known ones, those which don’t have lots of articles written about them and that are taken by far fewer people? The mind boggles, it really does. There are many of us out there just popping pills on a regular basis because we think they are safe. We think this because they are made from natural substances. However, I believe, after finding all this out, that there should be much more in depth information on the packaging of these preparations. For all we know, we are doing our bodies far more harm than good, simply because we are not aware of ALL the facts surrounding a particular remedy.

Summary: