Fw: Herbs are at the bottom of the article, hi-lighted in maroon.

[Guest guest]

I have no idea how many of you are on pharmaceuticals. But in case we have some who are, read. Blessings, Joy

Subject: Herbs at the bottom

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Saturday, November 10, 2007

Herb-Drug Interactions: Inevitable Conflict?

Clara Myers

November 9, 2007

Home remedies have been around for ages out of necessity. There was a time when doctors were few and far between and self-reliance was a necessity. Common ailments such as sprained muscles and upset stomachs were tended to at home. Only one hundred years ago most babies were born at home. Only the most serious and contagious diseases required the presence of a physician. Even then home remedies were used because there might not be a doctor available.

Fast forward to the twenty-first century. We have so many choices available to us it’s mind boggling. Not only do we have the accumulated knowledge of centuries of traditional medicine, we also have astounding scientific breakthroughs in the treatment of disease. Add to that Chinese herbal medicine, Ayurveda, newly discovered African Bush herbs . . . you get the picture.

Many people learn about a herb from a friend or a brief mention online or in a magazine, and they think because it’s natural, it can’t be harmful. They proceed to take as many as they can forgetting about the prescription medication they’re also using. The problem is that while many herbs can help with multiple problems, herbs are medicine–-powerful medicine. There are many situations in which the actions of the herbs can be in conflict, or cause complications with, the prescription medications you’re taking.

That's why it's important to let your doctor know if you're taking herbal supplements. More importantly, educate yourself. If your doctor does not understand the effects of the herbs you're taking, you may need to explain it to him or her so they'll better understand the potential interactions of your herbs and the medicines they want to give you prescriptions for.

An excellent example of two things that shouldn't be mixed are Ginkgo biloba and antidepressants. Ginkgo biloba is used for a variety of conditions ranging from varicose veins to vertigo; however, if you’re also taking antidepressants, it has the potential to cause seizures. You may be thinking, well how many people would combine those two? Actually, millions of people based on the number of sales of this popular herb.

Let’s look at another popular herb--Golden Seal. This herb contains the chemical berberine which is an anticoagulant. Let’s say you’re already taking a blood thinner and you add Golden Seal into the mix. Now you’ve got two chemicals in your body fighting each other.

Yet another example of potential conflict between herbal and prescription medications is to take Kelp while also taking a prescription diuretic or water pill. A diuretic is a medication that causes your body to release more urine, and Kelp is a natural diuretic on its own. Taking Kelp while also taking a prescription diuretic could cause you to become dehydrated, or have other related dangerous side effects and complications.

Some combinations of herbal and prescription medication taken at the same time can be dangerous, while others end up just working against each other. For instance, if you have a chest cold, a conventional doctor will likely prescribe medications that are designed to suppress your coughing. Conversely, the naturopathic cures in the local health food store are more than likely expectorants--which means they purposely try to help your body expel the phlegm and mucus that's in your lungs so that you can heal faster.

Before you start using herbs to medicate yourself, be sure to learn as much as you can about what the herbs actually do, and how that might conflict with pharmaceutical prescriptions. Remember, herbs aren’t magic pills. Just like the prescription medications you get at the pharmacy, they’re strong medicine. If you want to learn more about potential conflicts between herbs and drugs, a good resource is the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Treatment