| There can be a blase' attitude towards herbal | | | | anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs. Herbs that |
| remedies; summed up as "Since it's all natural it | | | | can do the same thing could make your blood too |
| can't hurt me." This can be far from the truth, | | | | thin. Chamomile, garlic, willow bark and even fish oil |
| though many standard herbal preparations are | | | | can cause problems. |
| safe for most people to use. There are times, | | | | 4) Diabetes: Diabetics don't just have to watch |
| however, when you'll need to decide which is | | | | out for foods, herbs can also cause problems. |
| better for you, the herb or the drug. Some of | | | | Some, like licorice, can cause levels to go up, as |
| them cannot be mixed, even when they are mild | | | | they are high in sugar. Others, such as aloe, |
| on their own. Read on to find out if what you are | | | | cinnamon and ginseng can lower sugar levels. |
| taking or plan to take could cause problems. | | | | 5) Immune Response: This applies to those with |
| 1) Antidepressants: There are many different | | | | autoimmune disorders and those who have had |
| types of antidepressant medications on the | | | | transplants or have other reasons to dampen the |
| market, and it may be easy to see a few herbs | | | | immune response. Herbs that affect that system |
| that could be a problem. Any medication that | | | | have to be watched. A good example here is |
| causes drowsiness should not be mixed with | | | | echinacea, which is often used to improve |
| herbs that can cause drowsiness. St. John's Wort, | | | | immunity. |
| chamomile, lavender, jasmine, passionflower and | | | | 6) Sedatives: Like antidepressants, sedatives |
| several other herbs can fit this list. | | | | should not be mixed with medications that cause |
| There is one type of medication in this genre that | | | | drowsiness. This includes St. John's Wort, |
| may offer a surprise. If you take a tricyclic | | | | chamomile, lavender, jasmine, kava and |
| antidepressant, avoid iodine and kelp, which is high | | | | passionflower. |
| in the trace element. This combo could raise your | | | | 7) Statins: These medications are used to help |
| blood pressure to dangerous levels. | | | | lower LDL cholesterol levels in the bloodstream. |
| 2) Blood Pressure: As with antidepressants, there | | | | They can be an important part of preventing |
| are several different types of blood pressure | | | | problems with the cardiovascular system, but |
| medication. Each has its own peculiarity, and you'll | | | | there can be at least one major interaction. |
| probably be given a sheet of information when | | | | Taking goldenseal at the same time as any statin |
| you're prescribed one so that you can make sure | | | | can cause serious muscle damage and renal failure. |
| to follow instructions. Some require you to avoid | | | | The best thing you can do to prevent drug/herb |
| grapefruit and grapefruit juice, many suggest | | | | interactions is to talk with your doctor and |
| caution when mixing them with things that cause | | | | pharmacist. You may also want to consult a |
| drowsiness and at least two herbs interact. | | | | qualified herbal practitioner. This will help not only |
| Licorice is the most critical to remember, as it will | | | | with possible interactions, but also with side |
| raise blood pressure quickly. Rosemary may be | | | | effects and precautions. Make sure to give them |
| safe in food amounts, but teas and supplemental | | | | a complete list of everything you are taking, both |
| levels could be problematic. | | | | medicine and supplement. Also tell them about any |
| 3) Blood Thinners: A blood thinner regimen may | | | | medical conditions you have been diagnosed with. |
| be low dose aspirin therapy, which is fairly mild. It | | | | By using the team approach, you can use herbs |
| can also include stronger drugs such as | | | | safely. |