Be Careful With Medicinal Herbs

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Many people are attracted to the idea of using medicinal herbs because they are “safer” and “natural”. Although herbs are most certainly natural, that does not mean that they are always “safe”, nor does it mean that herbal remedies are foolproof or not dangerous by any means. When you take into consideration the “natural factor” with herbs and herbal medicine, make sure you consider the fact that many of the pharmaceuticals that we rely on are derived from herbs and other components found in nature. Some of the strongest, and indeed, potentially dangerous drugs out there are based on flowers and herbs found in nature.

When using medicinal herbs, there are a few important to consider. Firstly, before you take any herb, be sure to read up on it and do all of your research ahead of time. You should not take the advice of friends and relatives as gospel, be sure to do your OWN research as well. Limit your use to those herbs that are widely recommended in popular herb books. When in doubt, never hesitate to consult a doctor.

Another thing to consider is dosage. Dosage, even when it comes to using the most seemingly innocent of medicinal herbs is very important, and like we illustrated above, it really pays to do your research. Respect the dosage guidelines for the particular herb, and never take more just because you feel the herb is “not working”.

Make sure you are aware of the interactions your newfound herb remedy might have with other drugs and herbs, including drugs you may be taking by prescription. One example of this is St. John’s Wort. This herb became very popular for a while, but not everyone was aware of the adverse interaction of St. John’s Wort with drugs like protease inhibitors and cyclosporine. Again, if you are in doubt, never hesitate to consult a doctor about any and all new herbs you may want to take, especially if you are concerned about interactions with prescription medicines.