Safety of Herbal Medications
Herbal medications, along with vitamins and minerals, are considered dietary supplements by the U.S Food ad Drug Administration (FDA). The use of herbal medicine is part of the most common alternative therapy used in the U.S.
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History
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In 1994, the U.S. Congress passed the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, and there has since been an explosion in the supplement industry, with sales estimated to exceed $20 billion annually.
Safety
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There is growing evidence that certain supplements, when used with modern medicine, are safe and can help promote and maintain good health. However, if you are younger than 18 or older than 65 you may metabolize the herbs differently.
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Interactions
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If you are taking prescription or over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, some herbs may interact negatively. Accordingly, you should talk to your health care provider about herb-drug interactions.
Herbs to Avoid
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The Mayo Clinic recommends avoiding certain herbs, such as chaparral, ephedra (ma huang) and kava, as an overdose can be fatal.
Clinical Opinion
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The Mayo Clinic points out that the U.S. picks certain components of traditional Chinese herbal medicine and uses them in isolation, while China integrates them into its health care system. Always consult with a qualified practitioner before using an herbal medication.
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