Herbal Therapy
Using herbs become more and more popular each day, because people get to know about the healing magic of the herbs. Besides, it is true that it would be more useful to treat such diseases as cold and flu with the help of the herbs. They are quite useful for menopausal symptoms, depression, migraines and lowering cholesterol. But still you should use herbs very carefully that?s why you should know their healing properties and what the effect is if you use them with other medications. Moreover, you should of course consult your doctor before starting to take them. Let?s look at the simple example: if you are taking Echinacea, you must stop taking it three weeks before surgery. Actually in this case it may not be comparable with immunosuppressant medicaments. Besides, your reaction to anesthesia may be slowed down; there may be delays in healing and risk of infection. So you shouldn?t take Echinacea with heart, antifungal or anti-anxiety medications. If you have migraines you may take feverfew, but on the other hand it may cause bleeding if you take them together with anti-coagulants. The bleeding may also be caused by Ginseng, Garlic, Ginkgo, Ginger, Danshen, Chondroitin, and Dong Quai. The latter is used to lower the menopausal symptoms. But, remember: do not use them together with antibiotics anticoagulants, or St. Johns Wort. Do not use with later any anti-depressants, or oral contraceptives. Gingko helps you to improve your memory, but taking together with anti-coagulant medications it may cause serious bleeding disorder. Everybody knows the healing ability of garlic. It lowers cholesterol and prevention of blood clots. It reduces also the blood sugar so it?s better not to use it if you are a diabetic. And garlic also interferes with anti-coagulants.
Ginseng is used to increase your energy, reduce stress, and to lower cholesterol. But on the other hand it may cause jitters and even irritation, and this means that you will have insomnia, headaches, and even your blood pressure may get high. So far as we know, Licorice may also increase your blood pressure as taken together with diuretics or digoxin it will increase the loss of your potassium; and Senna may cause an electrolyte imbalance. Kava may reduce the effect of anesthesia, and may hurt your liver. At the same time it may help you to get rid of insomnia or anxiety.
Just remember: do not use any of the healing herbs together with alcohol! If you are pregnant or feeding with the breast, do not take any herbs. What is useful for you may be harmful for your baby. Do not forget to visit your doctor first and tell him which drugs and herbs you are taking.
In case you are one of the people who joined the “herbs for health” trend, then you need to arm yourself with the knowledge about what products on the herbs for health market are worth attention, and what is another cheating scheme. For useful advice and insights about herbs for health - please go here.
