Herbs can have harmful effects on the body if we use them incorrectly or, for example, combine them with synthetic drugs. See how to use herbal remedies so you don’t hurt yourself and what to keep in mind before starting natural herbal treatment.
- Principles of use and risks associated with herbal medicine
- What herbs can be harmful to the body?
- What other herbs can be harmful?
- What should be remembered when using herbs?
Herbal preparations that are considered safe may cause side effects. The use of herbs should always be done after consulting a doctor.. This is especially true for the elderly, chronically ill, children and pregnant women. Before we start using the beneficial properties of herbs, it is worth studying the basic principles of use, their action and contraindications, which exclude the beginning of herbal medicine.
Principles of use and risks associated with herbal medicine
Can these seemingly safe natural preparations be dangerous? First of all, herbs will not replace traditional pharmaceutical treatments. Although they may have positive effects on health, they are used to treat and prevent various diseases and to temporarily alleviate unpleasant ailments.
Diuretics should be avoided if we are given diuretics to lower high blood pressure. In addition, you should stop taking herbal preparations while taking heart medications. Some herbs have abortive properties, so their use during pregnancy should definitely be avoided. In addition, herbs are a source of various chemical compounds that can have a strong toxic effect on the human body. And while some of them flush out toxins and other metabolic substances (laxatives, diuretics, diaphoretics) from the body, they can also remove drug ingredients.
Self-selection and mixing of herbs for the treatment of various diseases is very risky if we do not have knowledge of herbal medicine. Based on the mistaken assumption that herbs are 100% safe and can be used for a very long time, we can seriously damage our health. Incorrect use of herbs can aggravate the disease, such as in the treatment of hypertension, and may lead to liver damage. Some herbs can, for example, irritate the kidneys and dangerously increase blood pressure, disrupt the nervous system and cause allergic reactions. In addition, the unwise use of the power of herbs can, among other things, lead to damage to the liver and irritate the stomach due to increased secretion of gastric acid.
Experts warn against excessive consumption of herbs. In addition, they can be extremely dangerous when combining herbs with synthetic drugs. You should also remember that herbs are harmful when used with pharmaceuticals, so you should not reach for them without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
The risk of side effects increases with the regular use of herbs, so in the case of many medicinal plants, it is necessary to take a break between treatments of at least three months.
What herbs can be harmful to the body?
The use of the medicinal properties of herbs requires caution and familiarization with the indications and contraindications for their use. Potentially dangerous herbs include:
- medical sage - when used in excessive doses, it can affect the functioning, e.g. nervous system and lead to poisoning of the body. Oral consumption of sage is not recommended, for example, for pregnant women, people suffering from epilepsy and gastritis. Sage may interfere with the effects of antidepressants and anticoagulants.
- dandelion - eating dandelion can cause m. ailments of the digestive system, exacerbating the symptoms of stomach ulcers and high acidity. It is very dangerous to confuse dandelion with field euphorbia, which is poisonous. Dandelion should not be used by diabetics, people with diseases of the kidneys, gallbladder and biliary tract, and with stomach ulcers.
- Horsetail - This herb is known for its many healing properties, but it should not be used, for example, by people suffering from diabetes, gout and kidney disease. Horsetail should be avoided during pregnancy and lactation. Horsetail may interact with, among other things, diuretics and, as a result, weaken the recommended dose.
- buckthorn bark - used, including as a laxative and choleretic agent. If taken incorrectly, it can cause various diseases of the digestive system. Buckthorn bark should not be used during pregnancy and in children. This herb interacts, for example, with heart drugs.
What other herbs can be harmful?
Other popular herbs that can cause negative effects and interact with medications to alter how they work include: St. John’s wort, willow bark, flaxseed, wormwood, common rue, thyme, common juniper, aloe vera, comfrey. It is worth noting that the negative effects of herbs can be felt regardless of how they are taken (the herbal preparation can be used externally and internally).
What should be remembered when using herbs?
Based on the erroneous assumption that a natural product is completely safe, we can harm our health. Each natural product has certain indications and contraindications that you should know before starting treatment. To avoid the risks associated with the misuse of herbs, it is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.
Sources:
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atlas.roslin.pl
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Couplan F., Debuigne G., “Large Herbarium of Medicinal Plants”, Wydawnictwo Jedność 2019
Source: Wprost
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