Are Herbal Products Safe?
With the popularity of herbal remedies on the rise, many lobbies in the West are beginning to look up and take notice of the trend. While there are various arguments that are presented (like lack of clinical trial data, dependence on individual experts, safety and others), the safety factor has always been the favorite whipping boy.
No doubt that some marketers have had to resort to selling their products on the basis of hyperboles like “money back guarantee”, “limited availability” and “total cure”. However, such tactics give herbal products a bad name.
Like all other medication, heedless use of herbal remedies or natural remedies can cause harm. Some of the herbs that have proven curative properties are extremely toxic in their original form. Homeopathy, for example, makes good use of poisonous herbs and even snake venom to prepare highly diluted remedies that give very good results in treating ailments that they are meant for. The process of dilution passes on the curative properties of herbs onto the diluting liquid. It also activates the liquid with its vital energy. It is logical to believe that if the extremely diluted state of a toxin can provide relief, its reckless use can prove to be detrimental to health.
So while herbal products that use natural ingredients are not likely to cause side effects and toxicity, there are a few aspects that you should keep in mind while choosing herbal products. Check the credentials of the manufacturer, the claims made on the label and consider your own individual needs before you reach out for an herbal product. The best way to be sure that you are not choosing a spurious product is to stay informed. If you are looking for an alternate treatment modality check all sources of information that you have before you jump into it.
Don’t rush to get the latest herbal supplement in the market. Consider whether you actually need it. Be aware of the marketing hyperbole. Always remember that certain herbs can interact with the drug that you may already be taking. Prescription medicine and herbal medicines may interact with each other and lead to more harm than good. This drug interaction can prove to be extremely detrimental if you are not aware of the various effects that combinations can cause.
Some herbs are contraindicative in certain conditions like pregnancy or prevalence of another disease. Just because a product has been labeled as totally herbal does not mean that you can take it without proper information or consultation with a specialist. A conventionalist is more prone to highlight only the negative aspects and therefore it makes sense to consult someone who has a holistic approach to treatment.
The same is true when you go to an allopathic doctor. You should disclose all over the counter formulations that you may be taking currently or have used in the immediate past, along with the generic names of the ingredients. By not taking such precautions people bring disrepute to conventional drugs as well as herbal products. Herbal products including herbal supplements, homeopathic remedies and herbal medicines should be prepared according to the procedures specified in the different therapies. Manufacturers should always mention contraindications and interactions on the label.
References:
http:/.natural-cure-guide.com/health-articles/herbal-supplements.htm
http://in.rediff.com/getahead/2005/aug/12diet.htm
http://www.vdf.org/resources/HerbalSupplements.php
