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 Have
you ever taken an herbal medicine to help relieve
an ache or pain, to improve your memory or to
boost your immune system? Herbal medicines have
become a popular way to prevent and treat many
health problems. But are they safe?
Many herbs have been used safely
for centuries, but certain herbs can cause problems
for some people. Herbal medicines are not regulated
by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
The FDA considers them to be dietary supplements,
not drugs. This means that the FDA does not do
extensive tests of these products before they
are sold to the public.
So it is up to you to use caution
if you decide to use herbal medicines.
Before You Buy
Keep these points in mind before using an herbal
remedy.
- If you are thinking about taking an herbal
medicine, tell your doctor. Some herbs may be
dangerous when taken with certain prescription
drugs or if you have a medical condition. For
example, St. John’s wort may cause side effects
if you take it with certain antidepressants,
and it may also lessen the effectiveness of
other drugs. And the herbs ginkgo and garlic
may cause a hemorrhagic stroke if taken with
the heart medicine warfarin.
- Be sure that you always follow the dosage
directions on the bottle and pay attention to
any special warnings listed.
- Because they are not regulated, the amount
of the active ingredient in herbal remedies
can vary widely from brand to brand. Look for
a product that uses the U.S. Pharmacopoeia notation
(USP) on the label. This means that the product
was made following USP standards.
Talk With Your Doctor
Play it safe when using herbal remedies. Your
best bet is to learn all you can about any herbal
medicine and talk with your doctor before you
take it.
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