12 Essential Herbs

(Page 2 of 7)

April/May 2006
By Michael Castleman 
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It's also helpful to know that the number of adverse reactions attributed to herbs is relatively small. The American Association of Poison Control Centers publishes an annual review of the nations toxic exposures. In 2003 the most recent year for which complete figures are available acetaminophen (used in Tylenol and other painkillers) killed more than 100 Americans. For the same year, only seven deaths were blamed on the misuse of herbs. Although these deaths are tragic, it would be a mistake to suggest that medicinal herbs are a frequent cause of death.

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Meanwhile, the U.S. Food and Drug Administrations strict regulation of drugs in no way guarantees their safety. University of Toronto researchers reviewed serious drug side effects among U.S. hospital patients from 1966 to 1996. The study did not look at overdoses or prescription errors, just at serious side effects from drugs taken as prescribed. The researchers estimated that more than 2 million hospital patients a year suffer serious side effects, and that more than 100,000 of them die.

"All medicines should be used cautiously, and that includes herbal medicines. Just because theyre natural doesnt mean they're safe," Blumenthal says. Some of the world's most potent poisons are herbal — for example, poison hemlock, which looks like parsley, and Amanita death cap mushrooms.

To use herbs safely, always take the following steps:

  • Tell your doctor which herbs you take and why. Do not substitute an herbal medicine for a prescribed medication without consulting your physician.
  • Pregnant women, children and those with chronic medical conditions should not take herbs or drugs without consulting a medical professional.
  • Do not duplicate drug effects with herbs. If you take a pharmaceutical antidepressant, don't take an herbal antidepressant, too.
  • Find out about any potential side effects before you begin taking the herbal medication. When using commercial preparations, follow the directions on the label.
  • Some herbs should not be taken before surgery because they slow blood clotting. Stop taking anticoagulant herbs notably garlic, ginkgo, ginseng and white willow at least two weeks before surgery.

Herbs for Wellness

Some herbs are beneficial to almost everyone when taken regularly. They include the following:

Garlic for Cholesterol Control and Cancer Prevention. Researchers at Penn State University gave men with high cholesterol either garlic or a placebo. The herb lowered their total cholesterol by 7 percent, which reduced their risk of heart attack by 14 percent. The majority of garlic studies show that garlic reduces cholesterol and helps prevent heart disease.

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