Use Herbal Supplements With Caution

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Use Herbal Supplements With Caution

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed

by Kim Archer

Today, people are increasingly turning to holistic “medicine” to maintain their health. They may want to avoid prescription drugs‘ side effects, or to cut medical costs. And today, health food store sales of herbal supplements have increased 10 times over what they were just a few years ago. However, if you believe, as many do, that natural herbs are safe just because they’re natural, think again. You do have to worry about use and dosage of these most potent natural substances.

Herbal treatments have been widely touted as healthy alternatives to synthetic and expensive pharmaceuticals. However, you must still use them with caution and you must know what you are doing. Make sure you study and know what you’re putting into your body (or on it) before you take an herb you’re not familiar with. It could be dangerous.

If you’re taking herbs (as some people do) to avoid going to a doctor and instead want to treat illness from home, you might think about using herbal remedies. However, you should always consult your doctor before you begin using herbal remedies, whether you use them alone or in conjunction with other medications your doctor prescribes. Not doing so could be dangerous.

In addition, many companies sell herbs on the internet and don’t verify or back up their claims. You may not even know if you’re receiving the herb you thought you were buying. Therefore, only buy your herbs from a reputable company that delivers exactly what it promises.

Make sure you’re working toward preventative health, and not simply treatments or cures for diseases or ailments you encounter from time to time. Herbal medicine works best when you try to maintain a balance within your body, not when you seek out help solely to fix an immediate problem.

When you buy herbs, be sure you research what the plant does and how much you can safely take. If you’re on any medications, be aware that there may be contraindications or interactivity between the two substances. Therefore, check with your physician to make sure you won’t have any unsafe reactions between the herb you want to take and the medications you’re on.

While most distributors of herbal supplements include dosage directions on the packaging, some do not. You should be able to find information about the particular herb that you are interested in online, so you should ensure that you order the correct herb and take it in the correct amounts.

Whenever you start taking an herb for the first time, you’ll want to use caution and start with smaller doses until you make sure you’re not going to have an allergic reaction, just as you could with any synthetic medication. Start with a test sample and then if all goes well, increase it to the recommended dose.

Always keep in mind that “natural” substances are not necessarily safe, and that even a small amount of the wrong herbal supplement could be dangerous to your health. You must ensure that you read all of the labels and instructions included with any herbal medication, and to consult your family medical practitioner if you have any doubts.

Kim Archer writes about (http://www.internet-spa.com) women’s wellness. She is publisher of (http://www.internet-spa.com) The Internet Spa, where you’ll find up-to-date information to rejuvenate your mind, body and spirit.

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