Herb Benefits

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HERB BENEFITS

 

Echinacea: It stimulates your immune system and it's useful for treating

 

colds and upper respiratory conditions. It should not be taken daily.

 

Echinacea should only be taken at the onset of cold symptoms. Side

 

effects:Because it stimulates your immune system it can increase symptoms

 

associated with illnesses like asthma. Avoid Echinacea if you have: Asthma,

 

HIV, Tuberculosis or Autoimmune disorders.

 

Ginkgo Biloba: Ginkgo Biloba has been shown to be helpful in people with

 

early Alzheimer's disease. If your forgetfulness is not age-related, it won

 

t help. In other words, taking Ginkgo Biloba will not help you pass an exam.

 

It will only be effective if your memory loss is due to blood flow. Side

 

effects: Taking Ginkgo can thin blood, leading to stroke, internal bleeding,

 

or excessive bleeding during surgery. Avoid Ginkgo Biloba if you are

 

taking:Warfarin, Coumadin, aspirin or other blood thinners.

 

St. John's Wort: St. John's Wort can be helpful as a treatment for mild and

 

moderate depression and common nerve pain. Avoid St. John's Wort if you are

 

taking: Anti-depressants, Cyclosporine (organ transplants), Digoxin (heart

 

conditions), Warfarin or Coumadin (blood thinner), Protease inhibitors or

 

oral contraceptives.

 

Garlic: Garlic is great for lowering cholesterol and may decrease cancer

 

risk. A lot of people use it in their food. However, it is a blood thinner,

 

so if you're taking any anti-coagulants, such as Coumadin, you should avoid

 

large quantities of garlic. Avoid garlic if you are taking: Warfarin,

 

Coumadin, aspirin or blood thinners. [A note about garlic: When mentioning

 

aspirin, we are talking about people who take aspirin daily to thin their

 

blood, or to prevent heart attack. Those individuals should consult with

 

their doctor's about the amount of garlic they consume to ensure they don't

 

thin their blood to a dangerous level.]

 

Ginsing: Ginsing is a tonic herb used to increase energy. Side effects: If

 

taken with cold tablets or caffeine and diet pills, Ginsing can cause

 

hypertension and severe jitters. Avoid Ginsing if taking: Warfarin, Coumadin

 

or Phenelzine (Nardil).

 

It's important to remember that there may be other drugs, less commonly

 

prescribed, that may adversely interact with herbs, so keep these guidelines

 

in mind when you are considering herbal products.

 

 

 

Diana Gonzalez

 

 

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - the longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

-Unknown