 | Glen Mathis has been the co-owner of Mathis Drug Store in Girard since 1983. For more information or to reach Glen, please call 620-724-4313. |
Health & Medicine
2011-06-01 12:22:00
Are herbal medications safe?
Answer: Many people automatically assume that because herbal remedies are “natural” and have been used throughout history that they are automatically safe. However, they are also untested, unregulated and under some circumstances, potentially harmful, even deadly.
When most people think “herbal” they think “benign”, studies show. This means people are more like to self- diagnose and self-medicate. Often times, when they see their doctor, they neglect to inform them that they are taking them, running a risk of deadly interactions with prescription drugs. Herbs are not harmless and just as you would not take a pharmaceutical without some understanding of how it works, the safety with which it was created and dosed, you should not with herbal remedies.
Additionally, many people buy herbal remedies on the internet, adding to the dangers. When an herbal remedy is found to cause harm, it may be banned in some countries and still available in others.
While, in some cases some herbal remedies may provide some benefit, and others no benefit whatsoever, the dangers are real and should be considered. As a rule of thumb, I would say that anything you are concerned enough about to consider taking an herbal remedy is worth a visit to a physician. If you are opposed to taking many medications, your physician may have other options for you to consider. Always discuss taking herbal remedies with your physician.
