Many people use herbal supplements on the premise that they are natural and cannot cause unpleasant effects. This could be true for some herbal products it can’t be use as basis for formulating a general rule.
The first thing you need to consider before using herbal health products is that although they are taken from natural sources, they are not natural to the human body, and they can not be safer than pharmaceutical drugs under certain circumstances.
Herbal products are classified as food supplements by the Food and Drug Administrations, and they are not required to obtain proof that they are effective and safe to be sold. Although they are labeled “Natural,” some of them can contain drugs such as steroids or estrogen, or toxic substances such as lead and pesticides.
Lots of herbal products are sold in the market, and even though they are classified as food supplements, their distributors all claim that their products can cure a host of diseases. You need to verify these claims because they are not supported by trustworthy, documented evidence.
Herbal Supplements are not safe if:
1. You are over 50 years old, or if you have health problems.
If you are planning to take herbal products, you should inform your doctor especially if you have health problems that include cancer, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, glaucoma, high blood pressure, thyroid problems, liver problems, or Parkinson’s disease.
2. You are scheduled to undergo a surgical operation.
You also need to take your doctor’s advice if you are scheduled to undergo surgery and you are using herbal products. Some of them have an effect on your blood clotting system or cause problems with anesthesia.
3. You are taking medication.
Another issue about the use of herbal supplements is their ability to alter the way your body processes drugs if you take them both at the same time. You don’t have to take certain herbal supplements if you are under medication because some of them can reduce your body’s ability to absorb drugs. You may not be able to get enough medicine to resolve your health problem.
You should exercise extra caution about taking herbal supplements if you are under medication. You should let your doctor know about your plan to use herbal supplements especially if you are taking anti-depressants, blood thinners, anti-seizure drugs, cancer drugs, blood pressure drugs, heart medicine and diabetes treatment drugs.
This is not meant to tell you that herbal supplements are not useful. This article intends to tell you what you deserve to know about them. There’s nothing better than being careful especially when our own health and well-being are at stake.
