Golden Box Book Publishing Asthma Relief with Grandmas Remedies | Page 33

The Dangers of Using Herbs Incorrectly Studying alternative medicine gave me an extensive knowledge of herbs and supplements. Being an RN for many years, I have good knowledge of pharmaceutical medications. Being familiar with both traditional and alternative medicine, I can see the danger of combining them. Just like drug-to-drug or food-to-drug, herb-to-drug interactions can be dangerous or even in some cases, lethal. Some herbal medicines—although very useful—can enhance, alter, or cancel the effect of prescription medications. Not knowing them could put people in danger. Part of the problem is that many people do not even consider telling their doctor about the supplements they are taking. Some might view herbs as harmless and tasty teas; others read about their effects or get advice from the clerks at nature stores. Overall, most people neglect to research the effect,, side effects, and potential interactions with their diet or prescription medications. About twenty years ago, the use of herbal medicine began to rise, and over the past ten years it has become very popular. Nowadays, people are taking herbal remedies for a wide variety of illnesses and symptoms—from migraine to cough and upset stomach, from depression to sleep disorders and joint pain. There is a lot of information on the Internet or in books about herbs, but very few describe the side effects or their interactions with prescription medications. Let me tell one of the many stories I come across on a daily basis. I was shopping in a health food store when I overheard the teenage clerk giving advice to a thin, frail, elderly woman. “You should take licorice. It’s very good for colds and coughs,” he said, and then he walked away. The woman tried, but soon gave up on reading the fine print on the bottle, and she put it in her basket with a sigh. Looking at her, I noticed the telltale bruises from using the blood thinner Coumadin, and I just had a hunch that she might be in chronic atrial fibrillation because I noticed the irregular pulsing of her arteries 34