THINGS TO AVOID WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS

THINGS TO AVOID WITH MEDICINAL PLANTS

Herbs can be very good medicine. There is no doubt about it. However, with over 300,000 higher plant species a good herbalist may know only a couple of thousand of them. This means even experienced herbalists can make mistakes. Here are some of the most common problems.

Women who are pregnant should stay away from barberry root bark, cascara sagrada, feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna, southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood. Any of these herbs may cause an increased risk for miscarriage. Safe herbs during pregnancy would be Manna, Butternut Bark or Root, Flax Seed, Slippery Elm and Lemon Verbena.

Whatever herb(s) you may be taking, always watch for anything unexpected. With any unwanted symptom stop taking whatever it is and consult an expert you can trust.

Be sure you have the diagnosis correct. Diagnosis is not easy and sometimes doctors make mistakes. Generally a doctor is better equipped to handle the diagnoses. Discuss any planned herbal discipline you plan to undertake with your physician.

Watch carefully for any allergic reactions. Even though you may have never had any allergies in the past. You are embarking on an herbal journey. Carefully watch for any adverse reactions. If you experience difficulty in breathing within 30 minutes of trying a new herb, food or drug, call 911 immediately! It is possible you are having an anaphylactic reaction which is the most severe form of allergic reaction. This condition may quickly become fatal unless you treat it promptly. This type of reaction is rare, but you need to be careful and be aware.

Watch for any interactions between herbs or medications. Medicines may often interact negatively with one another. So do herbs. Always be careful when taking more than one drug or herb, especially 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. These drugs interact badly with wine, cheese and many other foods. St. John’s Wort is also a known MAO inhibitor so the same food restrictions apply. If you plan on using St. John’s Wort, discuss it with your physician or pharmacist.

Make certain you disclose to both your physician and your herbalist all medications and/or herbal treatments you are using.

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