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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