Are you buying over the counter, herbal medications, vitamins and supplements may interact in harmful ways with over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are taking? Has the person that recommended them to you checked with you what other medications you are on? I personally have been in a pharmacy where the assistant offers advice on herbal medicine, by reading the label, they haven’t asked any questions and happily rung up the purchase, this could be very dangerous for the person taking them, never assume the pharmacy that you have been going to for 20 years knows all the medications you are on and have you told them that you are taking any other supplements as well, recent illness or surgeries, its all very important information.
Taking herbal supplements may decrease the effectiveness of other drugs/vitamins/minerals you are taking or may increase the negative side effects, if not checked with a professionally trained Herbalist, Naturopath or Chemist.
If you are considering taking herbal medications it is always a good idea to talk to your Doctor and Herbalist/Naturopath about possible side effects and interaction with other medications you are taking.
This is why integrative medicine is so important, that way you have to best outcome as a patient. Herbalists and Naturopaths are required to take into consideration all your medications with includes supplement brought over the counter. You should always be wary of anyone that provides over the counter advise on supplements and herbs without knowing your medication history if you are having or had recent surgery and your general medical history. All these things can impact on medications, supplements and herbal prescriptions.
For example, St John’s Wort interacts with a lot of medications and some of those interactions are potentially very harmful. Certain Herbal Supplements should be ceased 7 days prior to surgery. You should take herbal medications 2 hours away from all other medication and vitamins as it may interfere with the effectiveness of the drug/vitamin/supplement. Certain herbs are a big no-no if you are on Warfarin or other anticoagulant therapies. The list could go on and on, best to be safe than sorry see a professional.
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