Butterbar could be dangerous

[Guest guest]

More for allergy and asthma sufferers:

Safety is a serious concern, because butterbur " may contain a certain type of

chemical, or an alkaloid, that has liver and kidney toxicity, may be

cancer-causing, and may cause blood clots, " says Dr. McNairn, who cautions that

you cannot be completely sure what you're getting when purchasing a supplement.

Unlike medications, the Food and Drug Administration does not ensure that a

dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. " I would have serious concerns

about the purity of a purchased product, and whether it contains those

particular compounds, " she says.

McNairn also notes that people who have a ragweed allergy should avoid

butterbur, which is related to ragweed. " It may cause an allergic reaction in a

ragweed-sensitive person, " she says.

Before taking butterbur or any other herbal remedy, it's important to talk with

your doctor. Some herbal supplements can react with other supplements or

medications, so it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist everything

you are taking.

And remember, because the manufacturers of a supplement advertise their product

as being natural does not necessarily mean that it is safe. " Natural does not

mean safe or without side effects, " says McNairn.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Entire article can be viewed here:

http://www.everydayhealth.com/allergies/butterbur-for-allergies.aspx

FYI,

Lottie

[Guest guest]

hi everybody,

i would like to ask if anybody there gets so much pain in the head ,my husband

experiences pain in his left forehead and when the pain gets back, it always

visits the same area.Could this be a glivec reaction?

Thanks,

Virginia

From: Lottie Duthu <lotajam@...>

Subject: [ ] Butterbar could be dangerous

" CML " < >

Date: Monday, 25 May, 2009, 3:20 PM

More for allergy and asthma sufferers:

Safety is a serious concern, because butterbur " may contain a certain type of

chemical, or an alkaloid, that has liver and kidney toxicity, may be

cancer-causing, and may cause blood clots, " says Dr. McNairn, who cautions that

you cannot be completely sure what you're getting when purchasing a supplement.

Unlike medications, the Food and Drug Administration does not ensure that a

dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. " I would have serious concerns

about the purity of a purchased product, and whether it contains those

particular compounds, " she says.

McNairn also notes that people who have a ragweed allergy should avoid

butterbur, which is related to ragweed. " It may cause an allergic reaction in a

ragweed-sensitive person, " she says.

Before taking butterbur or any other herbal remedy, it's important to talk with

your doctor. Some herbal supplements can react with other supplements or

medications, so it is important to tell your doctor and pharmacist everything

you are taking.

And remember, because the manufacturers of a supplement advertise their product

as being natural does not necessarily mean that it is safe. " Natural does not

mean safe or without side effects, " says McNairn.

By Krisha McCoy, MS

Medically reviewed by Lindsey Marcellin, MD, MPH

Entire article can be viewed here:

http://www.everyday health.com/ allergies/ butterbur- for-allergies. aspx

FYI,

Lottie