When it comes to using natural health and herbal remedies, you’ll probably want to avoid side effects and interactions with prescription medications. But how do you choose the right herbal medicine? What are the safe dosages? And how can you tell which ones are best? This article will shed some light on the subject. In addition, you’ll learn about some of the most important issues to look out for, and which herbal remedies should be avoided.
Herbal medicine
Herbal medicine dates back to 2800 B.C. in China. Today, many of the “modern” drugs we use are derived from herbs. These include aspirin, digoxin, morphine, and capsicum. Ginger is best known for its pain-relieving properties, but it’s also commonly used as a natural sleep aid and to combat anxiety. Herbal formulations are not regulated like prescription drugs, so their effects are not well-documented. Some studies, however, have evaluated the effectiveness of herbal medicines, but most of their claims remain unproven.
Side effects
While the general perception of herbal remedies is that they have no adverse side effects, this is a mistake. Herbal medicines can cause a variety of side effects, ranging from inconvenient temporary symptoms to life-threatening conditions. Herbal remedies can be particularly dangerous, as many cases of herbal poisoning have been reported in the literature. To determine the safety of herbal remedies, more research needs to be done. Here are some considerations for selecting an herbal medicine.
Interactions with prescription medications
Researchers looked at the literature to determine if natural health and herbal remedies could cause adverse effects. They identified 49 case reports and two observational studies involving 15 adverse drug reactions. Based on the pharmacological properties of the active ingredients, they concluded that herbal medicines probably played a role in 60% of the cases. They also concluded that adverse drug reactions from herbal medicines were rare but could lead to serious consequences in some people.
Safe doses
Natural health and herbal remedies are widely used by patients seeking conventional medical care, but they pose unique challenges to physicians. Most herbal products are unprescribed, and physicians must determine whether a patient’s symptoms are caused by the “remedy” or by the drug the patient is taking. This article reviews the definitions of herbs, the history of herbal medicine, and the epidemiology of herbal use. It also discusses the psychosocial implications of herbal medicines.
Storage
Herbal supplements and natural health products should be stored in cool, dry places out of the reach of children. Herbal supplements should never be stored next to a heat source or in moist areas. Moreover, they should not be stored in bathrooms as they may have adverse effects. For optimal results, herbal supplements should be stored in a dark, cool, and dry place. The shelf-life of herbal health products depends on the method of storage and their ingredients.