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Friday, January 24, 2014

HARMFUL EFFECTS AND THINGS TO AVOID







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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