Natural Medicines and Herbal Supplements - Use It Safely
Holistic Health Articles, General Info

Is there a growing concern with the use of natural medicines and herbal supplements?

Yes. With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything herbal or organic is the proliferation of fake herbal supplements or those that are produced with or less than stringent quality control, which may even endanger lives. One way of ensuring the safety of the people consuming such herbal supplements is to pay attention to the active ingredients contained within it. Do your research before taking natural medicines and herbal supplements. As in any commercial transactions, the rule is ‘buyer beware’.

Is using herbal supplements worth the risk?

Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements experienced an improvement in their health—whether this is due to the herbals themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk.

Your doctor knows better than most of us.

First of all, clear your condition with your doctor. Ask him/her if taking a particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the Canada, Singapore, and German markets because it contains substances that may cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical Association.

Follow the directions for use.

Always obey the authority! Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by your doctor or as instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it.