Intro to Herbs: The Benefits and Drawbacks of Herbal Remedies
When and where I can, I like to use natural remedies for health concerns. That's one of the reasons I became a Master Herbalist. However, when it comes to my health or any one else's, I prefer to work with a doctor to make sure the right treatment is chosen.
There are several things to consider when you are choosing an approach to a problem. The answers to several questions have to be looked at in order to do so. Here are a few of the ones I choose to ask/answer:
1) Are there any other health conditions? Some conditions can be made worse if herbal remedies are introduced into the mix. Those with high blood pressure can't use licorice in any format, because it will cause the blood pressure to go up.
2) Are you taking any medications? There is a danger of drug/herb interaction even with common remedies such as garlic. Garlic is a blood thinner, so those taking medications for that purpose have to use caution. Some interactions can be deadly, such as taking goldenseal with a statin. Severe muscle damage and renal failure can occur.
3) Are you going to drive or operate heavy machinery? Many herbs can cause drowsiness. Just as you'd use caution if you took a medication or drank alcohol, you won't want to drive when taking them. Chamomile, jasmine, lavender, passionflower and St. John's Wort all have that capacity.
4) How serious is the diagnosis? There are conditions that I cannot help with. There are also a few that I can offer support for, but they will require me and a physician to work together. Very few herbs can get rid of cancer, and some types of cancer don't respond at all to herbal remedies. If the diagnosis is heart disease, I can suggest herbs like garlic. Many herbs interact with the medications for both conditions, so I use a lot of caution.
5) Are you allergic to anything? I have two examples of the importance of this question. The first is aspirin. If you are allergic to aspirin, then you are allergic to willow bark. You may also be allergic to feverfew and yarrow. The other is something that happened to me, and it could potentially happen to you. I was taking black cohosh and developed hives from scalp to toenails. I was lucky, it could have gone into anaphylaxic shock, which would have killed me. If you notice any allergic reaction stop taking the herb and consult your doctor.
6) Do you have dietary concerns? People with food allergies or that prefer not to eat certain things need a bit of extra care when choosing a home remedy. If you don't believe in eating animal products, I'm not going to suggest you get your omega-3s from salmon oil. You can get the same benefit from flax oil, and that's a plant.
The answers to these questions may generate more questions, and that is a good thing. In order for you to have the best treatment possible, those who provide it must have all the information we can.
See my website: http://www.alternative-herbal-remedies.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Bodel
There are several things to consider when you are choosing an approach to a problem. The answers to several questions have to be looked at in order to do so. Here are a few of the ones I choose to ask/answer:
1) Are there any other health conditions? Some conditions can be made worse if herbal remedies are introduced into the mix. Those with high blood pressure can't use licorice in any format, because it will cause the blood pressure to go up.
2) Are you taking any medications? There is a danger of drug/herb interaction even with common remedies such as garlic. Garlic is a blood thinner, so those taking medications for that purpose have to use caution. Some interactions can be deadly, such as taking goldenseal with a statin. Severe muscle damage and renal failure can occur.
3) Are you going to drive or operate heavy machinery? Many herbs can cause drowsiness. Just as you'd use caution if you took a medication or drank alcohol, you won't want to drive when taking them. Chamomile, jasmine, lavender, passionflower and St. John's Wort all have that capacity.
4) How serious is the diagnosis? There are conditions that I cannot help with. There are also a few that I can offer support for, but they will require me and a physician to work together. Very few herbs can get rid of cancer, and some types of cancer don't respond at all to herbal remedies. If the diagnosis is heart disease, I can suggest herbs like garlic. Many herbs interact with the medications for both conditions, so I use a lot of caution.
5) Are you allergic to anything? I have two examples of the importance of this question. The first is aspirin. If you are allergic to aspirin, then you are allergic to willow bark. You may also be allergic to feverfew and yarrow. The other is something that happened to me, and it could potentially happen to you. I was taking black cohosh and developed hives from scalp to toenails. I was lucky, it could have gone into anaphylaxic shock, which would have killed me. If you notice any allergic reaction stop taking the herb and consult your doctor.
6) Do you have dietary concerns? People with food allergies or that prefer not to eat certain things need a bit of extra care when choosing a home remedy. If you don't believe in eating animal products, I'm not going to suggest you get your omega-3s from salmon oil. You can get the same benefit from flax oil, and that's a plant.
The answers to these questions may generate more questions, and that is a good thing. In order for you to have the best treatment possible, those who provide it must have all the information we can.
See my website: http://www.alternative-herbal-remedies.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mary_Bodel
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