Herbs have been around since even before prescription drugs. Many people think of them as the natural way to treating ailments but there may be risk in using them.

There is truth in the fact that herbs are safer than your over the counter drugs because they are natural products. Prescription drugs are normally made from several different compounds and herbs just one. Herbs are made from plants but chemicals are isolated to make them. When it’s made this way, other chemicals can be left out which alters their effects.

A common problem found with herbal supplements is that they’re not regulated by the FDA. They don’t go through the scrutiny prescription drugs go through so the requirements for herbal supplements are lenient.

The government does make sure herbal supplements are safe though. They do go through certain testing but not the same as is required for prescription drugs as we mentioned earlier. The FDA also doesn’t review herbal supplements prior to them reaching store shelves so if they are unsafe, it’s not found until after it’s already been sold.

Other Herbal Hazards to Watch Out For

A lot of people don’t think about how herbal supplements interact with other supplements and prescriptions. There may be an adverse effect so it’s important to read up on the herbs information before taking it.

People who have certain medical conditions should also avoid taking herbal supplements. This is especially true for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor prior to taking any supplements. Also let a doctor know what supplements you may be taking if you’re having surgery. Some herbal supplements can thin your blood or even interact with anesthesia. Certain herbs can also cause high blood pressure so avoid them if you have heart disease.

Many would think a product is safe if it’s natural but this isn’t always true. Herbal supplements do have fewer side effects than prescription drugs but you should consider the facts before taking them. Always use the same caution you would normally use when taking other kinds of drugs.

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008 at 4:06 pm and is filed under Supplements. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.