Herbal medicines can have dangerous side effects, research reveals. Herbal medicines can cause kidney failure and liver damage in some consumers because they contain toxic chemicals or heavy metals, or react harmfully with other drugs, a study has found.
What are the side effects of herbal medicine?
Herbal medicines may produce negative effects that can range from mild to severe, including:
- allergic reactions and rashes.
- asthma.
- headaches.
- nausea.
- vomiting.
- diarrhoea.
Can herbs be harmful?
Herbal products can pose unexpected risks because many supplements contain active ingredients that have strong effects in the body. For example, taking a combination of herbal supplements or using supplements together with prescription drugs could lead to harmful, even life-threatening results.
What are the advantages of herbal drugs?
Herbal products do not fall under the category of medicine as long as they are not marketed for the prevention of any disease. Herbal drugs are considered as “food integrators” and readily available in the market without prescription. They are natural, safe, and have fewer side effects than prescription drugs.
What are some of the problems with herbal supplements?
But it can cause side effects like headache, nausea, dizziness, and dry mouth. And it may make you more likely to get sunburned. It also can cause problems if you take certain drugs — from heart medicines to antidepressants, and even birth control pills. And it can make some chemotherapy less effective.
Can herbs cause liver damage?
In fact, some common herbs could cause toxic liver disease. Watch out for supplements that contain aloe vera, black cohosh, cascara, chaparral, comfrey, ephedra, or kava.
How can herbal medicine be misused?
The inherent problem is lack of standardization and regulation of herbal medicines. Consequently, cases of substitution, adulteration, and contamination of herbal products exist, which have led to cases of serious toxicity.
How long do herbs stay in the body?
They are similar to pharmaceuticals in that they are medicine, but the body processes them the same way it processes food. They stay in the system for three to four hours at most, so they require a longer-term regimen.
Are herbal extracts safe?
Extracts can be safe if they are whole herb or full-spectrum concentrates, rather than the standardized extracts. But they will be more potent! For 100% safety, use standardized extracts only if you are familiar with the manufacturer, the herb used, and its safety history.
Can you take herbs with medication?
Taking herbal medicines alongside prescription drugs may cause adverse drug interactions. Fifteen cases of adverse drug reactions were recorded in total, the most common being elevated liver enzymes, gastrointestinal disturbances and kidney damage.
What is herbal medicine called?
Herbal medicine, also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine, refers to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long tradition of use outside conventional medicine.
What are the pros and cons of buying and taking herbal supplements?
Pros and Cons of Herbal Supplements – A Quick Guide
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Herbal medicine has proven to work given its thousands of years of history | Can interact with regular medication |
| Can have potent effects to support treatment of specific ailments | Don’t go through the same testing process as prescription drugs |
What is herbal intoxication?
Herbal preparations, designed to be smoked or ingested for “health and happiness”, are promoted as legal hallucinogens, euphoriants, and marihuana substitutes. A total of 25 psychoactive substances have been identified in these products, and a number of intoxications have resulted from their short- or long-term use.