Herbal Remedies

by Wilma Dickerson-Felty, R.N., B.S.N.

I am writing about what can be called Herbal remedies or possibly Natural Products. Let me begin by saying that I am  neither endorsing nor negating the benefits of these products. My goal is to supply some guidelines for those who opt to use them and especially those who are also taking prescription medication.

These products do not come under the regulation of the Food and Drug Administration. They are considered dietary supplements. For this reason the actual amount of the main ingredient will vary from company to company. Let's say you have been taking Ginkgo Biloba that is distributed by company A. The next time you go to buy more you notice another brand is on sale. It is not recommended that you switch brands, as there may be a difference. The best way to be sure you are getting what you want is to buy from a business that specializes in these products. My community is blessed to have several of these businesses. They are staffed by knowledgeable folks who will be glad to steer you in the right direction. If you are under a doctor' s care for a medical condition, you should not begin taking these products without consulting with him or her.

Many medications that are prescribed by a physician originate from a plant. For this reason, a person can unknowingly be taking prescription drugs and herbal remedies that have similar properties. Each time you see your doctor you should have a list of all of the medications and herbal remedies that you are taking. This will help in preventing problems. There are some herbal remedies that can interfere with the performance of diabetic medication and blood thinners, to name a few. I have a book that is published by Facts and Comparisons, called Guide to Popular Natural Products. It has information on many of the most commonly used products and has tables that list interactions that the products may have with prescription drugs. This type of book can be used as a reference but should never replace consulting your doctor or pharmacist about when it is safe to take one of these products. A pharmacist will also have access to information of the safety of combining prescription and herbal remedies.

I hope you have found this information helpful. My goal in writing this is to ask folks to be careful in the random buying and taking of natural products. Use your available resources: knowledgeable vendors of natural products, pharmacists and most importantly, your doctor.

 

Wilma Dickerson-Felty is a health educator with Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. She is a member of Economy United Methodist Church.