Saturday, May 23, 2009

Herbal Supplements: Use Carefully

By Kim Archer

Many people today are choosing a holistic approach to maintain health - either to avoid the side effects of prescription drugs or to cut medical costs. The sales of herbal supplements in health food stores have increased tenfold from a few years ago. But some have the belief that since they're ingesting natural herbs, they don't have to worry about dosage and use.

Although widely touted as a healthy alternative to synthetic pharmaceuticals, herbal treatments must be used with caution and by someone who knows what they're doing. You want to be knowledgeable about what you put into (or on) your body before you ingest a dangerous amount of an herb you're not familiar with.

If you're taking herbs (as some people do) to avoid going to a doctor and instead want to treat illness from home, you might think about using herbal remedies. However, you should always consult your doctor before you begin using herbal remedies, whether you use them alone or in conjunction with other medications your doctor prescribes. Not doing so could be dangerous.

Many companies sell herbs off the internet without any verifiable way to back up their claims or even a guarantee that you're receiving the kind of herb you're investing in. You want to only buy from a reputable company that delivers herbs you can trust.

You should aim to prevent future illnesses and diseases, instead of simply treating those that you have now. The philosophy behind the use of herbal medicine involves maintaining a balance within the body, and not simply trying to fix whatever is wrong at the moment.

You should find out how much of a particular herb you can safely consume, and also whether it is safe to take a particular herbal supplement if you are on any other medication. There is the possibility that there may be unsafe interactions between herbal and synthetic medications, so you should be very careful in this regard.

Many herbal distributors will put directions for use on the packages, but some do not. Make sure you have valid information before you ingest or apply any herb without understanding its effects and dosage. You can usually find ample amounts of information about an herb's abilities online, so be sure you order the right herb for the right ailment.

Before you start taking an herb for the first time, be cautious and start with smaller doses until you make sure you can safely take the substance without having an allergic or other negative reaction to it. If all goes well, you can increase it to the recommended dosage.

Always keep in mind that "natural" substances are not necessarily safe, and that even a small amount of the wrong herbal supplement could be dangerous to your health. You must ensure that you read all of the labels and instructions included with any herbal medication, and to consult your family medical practitioner if you have any doubts. - 14130

About the Author:

No comments: