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With the ever-growing popularity of herbal supplements, more and more people are endangering their lives without ever knowing it. Before you swallow that herbal supplement be sure that it won’t do more harm than good. Some supplements can have lethal interactions with medications you may be already taking. This list includes some of the most common supplements and their most common interactions. This is not an all-inclusive list so check with your doctor before you take any supplements.
· Goldenseal is most commonly used to treat sinus infections and colds. This will have adverse reactions with anti clotting drugs such as Coumadin and heparin; it will also decrease the drug’s effectiveness.
· Ginseng is used to boost energy. Do not take this herb with any heart or blood pressure medications. You should not take Ginseng if you are on any blood thinning medication. Taking Ginseng while taking MAO inhibitors can cause mania. In addition, don’t mix ginseng with caffeine as it may result in irritability. Ginseng can lower blood sugar so diabetics should avoid this drug.
· Kava Kava is used as an anti-anxiety medication. Don’t mix with alcohol, medications for Parkinson’s disease, anti-psychotics, sedatives, or sleeping pills. Kava can exacerbate the effects of drugs that depress the central nervous system, causing over sedation as well as tremors, muscle spasms or abnormal movements. Do not mix this with any other anti-anxiety drug including St Johns Wart. Also avoid this supplement if you have a family history of stroke, high blood pressure or diabetes.
· Echinacea is an immune stimulant commonly used to ward off colds, but it
shouldn’t be mixed with corticosteroids, which work to suppress the immune
system. This supplement should be avoided at all costs by people who have Lupus, AIDS, TB, MS, or any other autoimmune diseases. Echinacea can also cause drug interactions with anti-fungal drugs.
· St John’s Wort is an anti-depression supplement. This drug may cause
photosensitivity so be careful not to take it with any other drug that also has this type of side effect. Also, do not take this herb in combination with any other anti-depressant like Kava Kava. There is also reason to be concerned that anti-seizure medications do not mix well with this herbal supplement. In addition, it may reduce the effectiveness of birth control medications as well as HIV medications. It will can reduce the effectiveness of some asthma medications so don’t take it if you have asthma.
· Valerian is used to aid in sleep. Do not take this drug if you are on any
anti-anxiety or anti-depressants. Also don’t take Valerian in conjunction with any drugs containing antihistamines. Don’t use with alcohol, sedatives or sleeping pills because it may result in extreme drowsiness.
· Ginkgo Biloba is taken to help with memory. Some feel that it can help
alleviate symptoms of Alzheimer’s and dementia. If you are on any type of blood thinner do not take Ginkgo. These include aspirins, Coumadin, and Ticlid. You should also be careful if you are taking a MAO inhibitors.
If taken properly, herbal supplements can become an integral part of your
wellness routine. Do your research, follow these guidelines and most important, check with your physician before taking any medications, herbal or otherwise.
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