Herbs are good medicine. There is no doubt about that fact.
However, there are over 300,000 higher plant species. A good
herbalist may know of one or two thousand of them. This means
that even an experienced herbalist can make mistakes. Let's take
a look at some of the most common problems.
Pregnant women should avoid barberry root bark, cascara sagrada,
feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue,
senna, southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood. All of those
herbs can increased a risk for miscarriage. Safe herbs during
pregnancy would be Manna, Butternut Bark or Root, Flax Seed,
Slippery Elm and Lemon Verbena.
No matter what herb(s) you are taking, be mindful of anything
unexpected. Stop taking whatever it is and consult an expert you
can trust. Make certain you have the correct diagnosis.
Diagnosis is not easy and sometimes doctors make mistakes.
Generally, however, a doctor is much better equipped to
diagnose. Discuss any planned herbal discipline you plan to
undertake with your physician.
Watch for any allergic reactions. Even though you may have never
had any allergies in the past, if you are embarking on an herbal
journey, watch carefully for any adverse reactions. If you
experience difficulty in breathing within 30 minutes of trying a
new herb, food or drug, call 911 immediately! You may be having
an anaphylactic reaction which is the most severe form of
allergic reaction. This condition can quickly become fatal
unless treated promptly. This reaction is rare, but you need to
be careful and be aware.
Watch for any interactions. Medicines often interact negatively
with one another. So do herbs. Always be careful when taking
more than one drug or herb or a combination of both. If you
suspect an interaction consult your physician or pharmacist.
One interaction that you should be aware of is Antidepressants
known as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. They interact badly
with wine, cheese and many other foods. St. John's Wort is also
an MAO inhibitor so the same food restrictions apply. If you
plan on using St. John's Wort, discuss it with your physician or
pharmacist.
Lastly, make certain that both your physician AND your herbalist
are fully aware of all medications and/or herbal treatments you
are using.
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