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10 Common Herbal Mistakes...and how to avoid them...

Sat, 24 Oct 2009 20:34:37 -0700 (PDT)

mary braun

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10 Common Herbal Mistakes--

 

 

And How to Avoid Them

 

By Cathy Wong <http://altmedicine.about.com/bio/Cathy-Wong-8634.htm>,

About.com <http://About.com>

 

Updated: June 24, 2008

 

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our

Medical Review Board <http://www.about.com/health/review.htm>

 

See More About:

 

* supplement safety

<http://altmedicine.about.com/lr/supplement_safety/45713/1/>

* chamomile <http://altmedicine.about.com/lr/chamomile/45713/2/>

* supplement-drug interactions

<http://altmedicine.about.com/lr/supplement-drug_interactions/45713/3/>

* supplement side effects

<http://altmedicine.about.com/lr/supplement_side_effects/45713/4/>

 

 

When it comes to the herbs you're taking, are you unwittingly making

mistakes that could harm your health? Here's a rundown of the 10 most

common herb mistakes.

 

 

*1) You drink chamomile tea without knowing what medications it

interacts with.*

 

Although most people think of chamomile tea as being harmless, it can

have some serious side effects /if/ it's combined with certain medications.

 

For example, a case report published in the April 2006 issue of the

/Canadian Medical Association Journal/ describes a 70-year-old woman

who, while being treated with the drug warfarin, was admitted to

hospital with internal bleeding after having used chamomile tea and body

lotion for cold symptoms.

 

*Tip* Take a look at this list of drugs that can interact with chamomile

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/druginteractions/p/chamomile.htm>.

 

 

*2) You're tired all the time so you turn to herbs and other

natural products to boost your energy.*

 

Constant weariness, tiredness, or lack of energy warrants a trip to your

primary care provider, not the health food store. Although diet and

supplements may help, the first step is make sure that the cause of the

fatigue isn't an underlying illness, such as:

 

* Anemia <http://adam.about.com/reports/000057.htm>

* Asthma <http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000141.htm>

* Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000811.htm>

* Hypothyroidism <http://adam.about.com/reports/000038_1.htm>

* Chronic fatigue syndrome

<http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/chronicfatiguesyndrome/p/whatiscfs.htm>

* Depression <http://adam.about.com/reports/000008_1.htm>

 

Fatigue can also be a symptom of other conditions such as infectious

diseases (e.g. mononucleosis

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000591.htm>), heart failure

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000158.htm>, diabetes

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/001214.htm>, liver or kidney disease

<http://kidneydiseases..about.com/od/symptomssigns/a/Article0004.htm>,

Addison's disease <http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000378.htm>,

Autoimmune diseases (e.g. lupus

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000435.htm>), cancer

<http://cancer..about.com/>, malnutrition

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000404.htm>, or due to medication

side effects.

 

*Tip* See your primary health provider first. He or she will ask you

questions and make sure you have the proper laboratory and/or imaging

tests to rule out these conditions. /Then/ you can think about natural

approaches.

 

 

*3) You take herbs, supplements, and/or drugs that together may

increase your risk of bleeding.*

 

Anticoagulant drugs

<http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=11022> such as

aspirin <http://drugsaz.about.com/od/drugs/aspirin.htm> or warfarin

<http://drugsaz.about.com/od/drugs/warfarin.htm> (commonly referred to

as " blood-thinners " ) prevent the formation of blood clots inside

arteries, reducing the risk of stroke and heart disease. When they are

combined with herbs and supplements that also have an anticoagulant

effect, they can increase the risk of bleeding:

 

* aloe vera

<http://altmedicine.about..com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Aloe.htm>

* chamomile

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Chamomile.htm>

* coenzyme q10

<http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/supplements/a/CoenzymeQ10.htm>

* danshen

* feverfew

* garlic <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/garlic/>

* ginger

* gingko <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/ginkgobiloba/>

* ginseng <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/ginseng/>

* saw palmetto <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/sawpalmetto/>

* goji

* devil's claw

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/DevilsClaw.htm>

* dong quai

* fish oil

* willow bark

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/willow_bark.htm>

 

*Tip* If you are taking more than one of these herbs or are taking them

warfarin, aspirin, or other anticoagulants, or if you are

self-prescribing any of these herbs, consult a licensed holistic

practitioner (such as a naturopathic doctor) for guidance. Be sure to

inform your family physician of all herbs and supplements you are

taking. Blood tests called the prothrombin time and international

normalized ratios (PT/INR)

<http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/pt/test.html> can

be used to assess blood clotting.

 

 

*4) You quit your coffee or soda habit in favor of lots of yerba

mate and energy beverages.*

 

Yerba mate is the coffeehouse " it " drink. Widely consumed in Central and

South America, it's often touted as a healthier alternative to coffee, a

herbal tea that energizes without causing jitters. However, yerba mate

has been associated with esophageal

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000283trt.htm>, oral

<http://adam.about.com/od/oraldigestivecancer/index.htm>, lung

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000122.htm>, and bladder cancers

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000486trt.htm> in several research

studies. Although studies have found it's really only a risk for people

drinking huge amounts of the tea (greater than 1 liter a day) or very

hot tea, it should be avoided until more evidence is in.

 

Energy drinks, such as Red Bull, Monster Energy Drink, Full Throttle,

contain caffeine and a slew of vitamins and herbs. One of the biggest

concerns is that we just don't know enough about the combined effects of

these ingredients. Many ingredients are believed to work synergistically

with caffeine to boost its stimulant power. Most of them contain loads

of sugar and are really no better than soda. What you need to know about

energy drinks

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/energy_drinks.htm>.

 

*Tip* If you're looking for healthier drink options consider water with

a splash of pomegranate juice or cranberry juice.

 

 

*5) You take immune-boosting herbs like echinacea

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/echinacea/> and goldenseal

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/glucosamine/> with

immunosuppressant drugs, such as corticosteroids.*

 

Drugs that suppress the immune system are used to prevent organ

rejection after transplant and to control the symptoms of autoimmune

diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis

<http://arthritis.about.com/od/rasymptoms/>, lupus

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000435.htm>, and type 1 diabetes

<http://adam..about.com/reports/000009.htm> (more autoimmune diseases

<http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000816.htm>). Herbs that stimulate

the immune system may counteract these medications, resulting in

transplant <http://adam.about.com/encyclopedia/000815.htm> rejection, an

exacerbation of pre-existing autoimmune disease, or precipitation of

autoimmune disease in people genetically predisposed to such disorders.

 

*Tip* If you are taking immunosuppressant drugs such as the ones listed

below, do not take the herbs alfalfa

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Alfalfa.htm>,

astragalus

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Astragalus.htm>,

echinacea <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/echinacea/>, ginseng

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/ginseng/>, licorice root, or the

mineral zinc.

 

* Cyclosporine <http://drugsaz.about.com/od/drugs/cyclosporine.htm>

* Azathioprine

* Corticosteroids such as prednisone

<http://drugsaz.about.com/od/drugs/prednisone.htm>

* Methotrexate <http://drugsaz.about.com/od/drugs/methotrexate.htm>

 

 

*6) You take herbal laxatives or " dieter's teas " to induce regular

bowel movements.*

 

The herbs in these products, called anthranoid laxatives, include:

 

* cascara sagrada

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/cascara.htm>

* rhubarb

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/rhubarb.htm>

* aloe <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/Aloe.htm>

* senna <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/senna.htm>

* buckthorn

 

People can become dependent and use them for weeks, months, or even

years at a time. However stimulant laxatives such as senna should not be

used for longer than a week without consulting a doctor or other health

provider. Prolonged use may cause the bowels to lose the ability to move

on their own, and has been linked to chronic diarrhea, muscle weakness,

potentially dangerous irregular heart rhythms, and kidney or liver

impairment.

 

*Tip* Talk with your primary care provider about weaning off laxatives

gradually and recovering normal bowel function. The key is to do it

slowly—usually in combination with a fiber supplement such as psyllium

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/completeazindex/a/psyllium.htm> and

adequate fluids.

 

 

*7) You take herbs and supplements before or after surgery.*

 

Your surgeon needs to know about all herbs and supplements you are

taking to prevent complications. Herbs and supplements can interact with

anaesthestics or cause excessive bleeding. Columbia University's

Department of Plastic Surgery recommends that /all/ herbs and

supplements be discontinued 2 to 3 weeks prior to surgery. The herbs

they identified as some of the most risky yet commonly used include:

 

* ginkgo <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/ginkgobiloba/>

* garlic <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/garlic/>

ginseng <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/ginseng/>

* ginger

* glucosamine <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/glucosamine/> and

chondroitin

* coenzyme q10 <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/coq10/>

* saw palmetto <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/sawpalmetto/>

* omega-3 fatty acids, flax seed oil, fish oil

* goldenseal

<http://altmedicine.about.com/od/herbsupplementguide/a/dong%20quai%3Cbr%20/%3E%3\

Cli%3Edanshen%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cli%3Efeverfew%3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cli%3Eephedra/ma%20huang%\

3Cbr%20/%3E%3Cli%3E%5Blink%20url=http://altmedicine..about.com/cs/herbsvitaminse\

k/a/Goldenseal.htm>

* chamomile

* kava kava <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/kava/>

* St. john's wort <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/stjohnswort/>

* licorice

* valerian <http://altmedicine.about.com/od/valerian/>

* vitamin E

 

 

*8) You don't tell your doctor about the herbs or supplements

you're taking or stop taking medications on your own.*

 

A 1997 study by David Eisenberg, MD, of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical

Center in Boston, discovered that almost half of Americans use some form

alternative medicine, only a third of them told their doctors.

 

Why is this? A survey published in the /Journal of Family Practice/

found patients didn't reveal their use of natural therapies because they

thought their doctors wouldn't be interested, were biased against

alternative therapies, or didn't know enough about them to comment.

 

However, there is increasing evidence that /not/ telling could have

serious risks to your health. Many herbs interact with common

medications and medical procedures and may increase side effects or

reduce the effectiveness of your treatment.

 

*Tips*

 

* Type up a list of your current supplements, including the

ingredients, ingredient amounts, and how often you take them. Next

time you go to your family doctor, bring the list with you and ask

that it be added to your chart.

* You may wish to consider consulting a licensed natural

practitioner who can inform you of any interactions.

* When asking your family doctor a question, frame your questions so

they are as specific as possible, such as " I am thinking of trying

massage therapy for my neck. Is there any reason why I shouldn't

have it? " If communication is difficult, consider whether it's in

your best interest to find a family doctor who is easier to talk

with and is non-judgmental about your choices.

 

 

*9) You rely soley on the manufacturer's website for information

about safety and side effects.*

 

You should know about potential side effects and safety concerns from an

independent resource that is current and is based on scientific

research. Some manufacturers will describe their products as natural

therefore safe, but some have the potential to cause serious adverse

effects if taken improperly.

 

For example, in a 2003 study published in the journal /Obstetrics and

Gynecology/, Adrienne Fugh-Berman at George Washington University states

that " the use of bust-enhancing products should be discouraged because

of lack of evidence for efficacy and long-term safety concerns. " And yet

these pills are incredibly popular--they're one of the most searched-for

herbal pills on the web. Herbs used in many of these breast enhancement

pills (e.g. hops, fenugreek) have been found to have potent estrogenic

effects and may increase the risk of hormonal cancers such as

endometrial and breast cancer. What you need to know about herbal breast

enhancement <http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/3/a/Herbal_Breast.htm>.

 

 

*10) You don't take your herbs and supplements consistently.*

 

It's important to take herbs and supplements regularly as recommended in

order to assess whether or not they are working. A common mistake is to

start taking a supplement, skip a day, then two, and then after a while

start taking another supplement because you haven't noticed an

improvement. If you're not consistent, you'll never know whether it's

effective.

 

*Tip* Get a day-of-the-week pill organizer

<http://heartburn.about.com/od/medsotchomeremedies/tp/med_organizers.htm>

online or at your local drug store.

 

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[Guest guest]

Thanks for the informative post.

 

Anyone on medication (prescribed or over the counter) should always double check

side effects and drug interactions of nutritional and herbal supplements.

 

There are a number of books and on-line resources to check these things.

 

For instance, many people do not know that they shouldn't have a high intake of

grapefruit with some medications because it affects the way the liver

metabolises drugs.