Restrictions for the Use of Herbal Drugs
- Many herbs can interact with prescription medicines. They can interfere with a drug's function or they can catalyze the drug and make it more powerful than intended. If you are taking a prescription of any kind, it's important to research thoroughly any herbal remedies you are considering to make sure they are safe to take with your prescriptions. If you're uncertain, talk with a doctor or herbalist, or avoid the herbal remedy.
Some herb drug-interactions include astragulus with immune-therapy drugs, bilberry with drugs to control blood sugar and chamomile with blood-thinning drugs. Astragulus enhances the effects of immune therapy drugs as does bilberry with blood-sugar drugs. In both cases, taking the herbal remedy requires careful monitoring in case you need to reduce the dosage of the drugs you are taking. Chamomile enhances the effect of blood-thinning drugs and can create an unsafe situation. People taking blood-thinning drugs should avoid chamomile altogether.
Such interactions are common between herbs and drugs, so it is important to do your research before starting an herbal remedy while taking a prescription medication. - Some herbs can aggravate certain conditions, and so should be avoided by people with these conditions.
Women who are pregnant should also do some research or check with an herbalist or their physician before beginning to take herbal remedies.
Women with breast cancer shouldn't take licorice because estrogens in the licorice can feed the breast cancer. People with irritable-bowel syndrome shouldn't take myrrh because it can aggravate symptoms. People who are prone to seizures should avoid rosemary.
Contraindications for herbs based on conditions are not as common as those for drug interactions, but it is important to be aware of the possibility. - Herbs can cause allergic reactions in individuals. If you take an herbal remedy and experience an upset stomach, a rash, difficulty breathing, or any other strange reactions, discontinue the herb's use and see your doctor or herbalist for advice.
