DavidPetersTherapy.com
What
About Herbal Medications?
A Word of Caution by
David A. Peters, MFT
You have seen them on television, and in all
the news magazines. Advertisements are everywhere for herbal supplements
to give you energy, boost your sex drive, lift your spirits, and improve your
concentration. Periodically in my practice a client will express an
interest in using an herbal supplement in place of a more traditional
prescription psychotropic medication. Many assume that because it's
"natural" that is safe to use. They may have heard claims
from advertisements or friends that the supplement is a miracle
cure. But do they work? And are they safe? How can you
be sure? Here are some facts you should know before you take an herbal
supplement.
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As of this writing, there is no
governmental agency that oversees the manufacture or ensures the safety of
herbal supplements. The result is, no one is making sure that each
pill has what it claims to have in it, and nothing more. Thank your
representative in the US Congress for this! Independent
research has found that up to one third of herbal supplements sold don't
have the claimed amounts of the active agent in them. For all you know
they are just corn starch! Recent investigations
revealed that in some brands, arsenic and other toxins have been found -
particularly in some imported from China. The brand name
you choose does make a difference. Some nutrition stores have specialists on
staff who know which brands are more trustworthy. Your doctor may also
know. In my experience, and in consultation with psychiatrists, I have
come to trust Nature's Way, Enzymatic Therapy, and Centrum
brands. But there is no guarantee until the government sets standards
for manufacture.
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Keep in mind that any chemical agent that
is potent enough to have a benefit is also potent enough to have a side
effect. Don't assume that because it is "natural" that it
is safe. Some of the herbals do have side effects, and they are
difficult to predict with so little research available. Below are
just a few examples of complications with herbs. You can do your own
research on most any herbal product at
Consumer Lab, and at the WebMD.
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St. John's Wort (commonly used for depression) -
The herb could be deadly if taken in combination with an "MAO
inhibitor" such as Nardil or Parnate. For those taking
medications for HIV, the herb has been shown to interfere with
medications such as Crixivan. For organ transplant patients, the
herb could inhibit the action of Neoral, a drug used to keep transplant
patients from rejecting new organs. St. John's Wort may also reduce
the effectiveness of some contraceptives for women.
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Kava Kava (commonly used for anxiety) - High doses
of the herb have been associated with hepatitis. As a relaxing
agent, it may increase the effects of alcohol or barbiturates. If
over-used along with a medication such as Xanax, it could result in a coma. As it can
intoxicate at higher doses, caution should be used while driving.
-
Ginkgo Biloba (commonly used to increase
concentration) - When used in combination with blood thinners or aspirin,
the herb could increase the risk of intracranial bleeding.
-
Golden Seal (commonly used to cleans the blood
stream) - In extended use the herb may cause nervous excitement,
hallucinations, or delirium.
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Always inform your primary care physician
about any herbal supplements you are using, especially before surgery. If you are
in therapy, always inform your therapist of any use of herbal
supplements. Never give an herbal supplement to a child
without a pediatrician's approval. And keep in mind, your
therapist can take no responsibility or assume liability for adverse
reactions to herbals you use.
For more on this topic
contact David Peters, MFT at 619 491-3492
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