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Side Effects with Using Herbs- Caution to Be Observed
Herbs are precious gifts of nature. They add flavor to our lives with the seasoning properties and also help us maintain good health and cure illnesses with the medicinal qualities inherent in them. However, it might not always be the case that the herbs act as an unmixed blessing. Just as in the case of other medicines and supplements the herbal medicines and supplements may also produce undesirable side effects. Though they are natural yet the compounds contained in the herbs and herbal formulations may be giving rise to contraindications. The observation of such side effects is common particularly when the herbs are not appropriately used.
The increasing importance of identifying and eliminating the possibility of side effects arising upon administration of drugs for wellness has led to reconsideration of even age old herbs and herbal recipes. The objective is to ascertain the non-occurrence of any side effect upon usage of the esteemed herbs.
It may be mentioned that most of the famous herbs that have been used since ages produce few side effects, if any. Besides, they also often contain protective compounds that can keep their potency in check thereby further reducing the chance of contraindications arising. Perhaps these are the reasons why the adverse effects associated with herbal remedies remain largely unknown. There has also been little scope of testing ad verifying the drug interactions of herbs and herbal remedies.
Despite lack of concrete findings some evidence however have been gathered regarding the possible side effects of the famous herbs and herbal drugs of common usage. Ginko biloba the herb advertised for being effective in bringing about an improvement in cognitive functioning has been reported to cause spontaneous bleeding in some instances. Findings also indicate that it might be interacting with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents. Again, St. John’s wort, the herb that is regarded as an herbal treatment for depression may have monamine oxidase inhibiting effects- as reports suggest. It can also be a causative for increasing levels of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. So, it is suggested that the St’ John’s wort should not be used with prescrption antidepressants.
Ginseng is an Oriental herb believed to have miraculous healing properties and is widely used for its supposed beneficial mental and physical effects. Now, though this is usually well tolerated yet it has been implicated as a cause of decreased response to warfarin. There are herbal products that contain ephedrine that could have been associated with adverse cardiovascular events, seizures and even death. The emergence of such facts and findings imply that the physicians must become more alert and aware about the adverse effects of herbal cures and the drug interactions associated with the herbs and herbal remedies. An enquiry regarding the usage of herbs and herbal preparations should always be made prior to making a prescription for any patient.
It is to be remembered that the herbal products and their purity and potency are not tested following the same scientific procedures and strict guidelines associated with conventional drugs. The drugs are neither subjected to any approval process. Hence, such products may not always be reliably resorted to for diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any disease.