Talking with your Doctor & Interactions

For certain population groups it can be a good idea to talk with your doctor. Under certain circumstances most dietary supplements are risk-free. However, for those who are pregnant, nursing or have chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension or heart disease it is a good idea to talk with a doctor or pharmacist before taking any dietary supplement. You should especially talk with your doctor if you plan on taking a dietary supplement along with other drugs or in place of other drugs. The active ingredients in many supplements have strong biological effects and not all users can be assured of their safety. Taking these products with certain health conditions can place you at risk.

Interactions

When you take multiple supplements or take them along with medications either prescription or over the counter they can have adverse effects under certain circumstances. With these products you should be aware of any advisories when taking the product alone or with other products. As an example: Coumadin (a prescription drug), ginkgo biloba (an herb), aspirin (an over the counter drug) and Vitamin E (a supplement) can all cause a thinning of blood and taking any of these products together can increase your risk of internal bleeding.

Surgery Effects

Before any elective surgery it is important that you completely tell your doctor of any vitamins, minerals, herbs or any other supplements you are taking. Sometimes a doctor may ask you to stop taking these products at least two to three weeks before your procedure to avoid any interactions. Some interactions can cause a change in heart rate, blood pressure and increased bleeding which could cause an adverse affect on the outcome of the surgery.

Pregnancy Warnings

The following herbs should not be taken when your are pregnant or nursing: Alkanet, Aloe, Angelica, Anise, Anise Star, Arnica, Ashwaganda, Barley Grass, Barberry, Basil, Bitter Melon, Black Cohosh, Bladderwrack, Blessed Thistle, Blood Root, Blue Cohosh, Blue Flag, Blue Veryain, Borage, Buckthorn, California Poppy, Cascara Sagrada, Catnip, Celandine, Celery, Chervil, Cinnamon, Club Moss, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Cubeb, Dong Quai, Elecampane, Ephedra, False Unicorn, Fenugreek, Feverfew, Ginger, Golden Seal, Gravel, Guarana, Gymnema, Horehound, Horsetail, Hyssop, Juniper, Lemongrass, Licorice, Lobelia, Loyage, Lungwort, Mace, Motherwort, Mugwort, Muira Puama, Myrrh, Neem, Oregon Grape, Osha, Parsley, Pennyroyal, Pleurisy, Prickly Ash, Red Clover, Rhodiola, Rosemary, Rue, Sage, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Senna, Shepherds Purse, Spikenard, Turkey Rhubarb, Turmeric, Uya Ursi, Vitex, Watercress, White Sage, Wormwood and Yarrow.

Kidney, Liver or Renal Issues

For those with a history of kidney stones, liver disorders, renal dysfunction or inflammation the following herbs should be avoided: Cubeb, Essiac, Horsetail, Hydrangea, Juniper Berries, Kava Kava, Parsley Root, Pennyroyal, Sheep Sorrel, Shepherds Purse, Suma, Sumac, Uva Ursi, Yellowdock and Yohimbe.

Blood Thinning Medications

Alfalfa, Angelica, Cramp Bark, Cubeb, Dong Quai, Ginkgo, Meadowsweet, Red Clover, Sarsaparilla and Yohimbe should be avoided by those who are taking blood thinning medications.

Stomach, Digestion and Liver Issues

To avoid gastrointestinal issues those with stomach inflammation/ulcers, serious digestion and/or liver problems should avoid the following herbs: Black Haw, Blue Flag, Chaparral, Club Moss, Crampbark, Devils Claw, Eucalyptus, Elecampane, Essiac, Gentian, Ginger, Licorice, Lobelia, Parsley Root, Pleurisy, Pygeum, Solomon’s Seal, Tribulus, Turmeric and Yohimbe.

Long Term Effects

Bilberry Leaf, Black Walnut, Blessed Thistle, Borage, Cascara Sagrada, Comfrey, Coltsfoot, Chaparral, Elecampane, Ephedra, Flax, Horsetail, Gentian, Goldenseal, Guarana, Juniper Berries, Licorice, Lobelia, Lungwort, Mullein, Nettle Root, Rhubarb, Sage, Sassafras, Sarsaparilla, Senna, Sheep Sorrel, Wild Cherry, Wormwood, Uva Ursi and Yohimbe should not be taken for long periods of time to avoid long term effects.

Other Effects

Calamus, Horse Chestnut, Lobelia, Licorice, Mandrake, Poke and Tonka should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified expert and only in instructed doses.

Aloe, Buckthorn, Cascara Sagrada, Senna, Turkey Rhubarb and Yohimbe should be discontinued if you notice abdominal pain or diarrhea. You should also talk with your doctor before using these herbs if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. You shouldn’t use these herbs for long periods of time and only take them in the recommended dose.

At high dosages Angelica, Celery Seed, Orange Peel, Rue and St. Johns Wort can cause photo toxicity. When taking these internally you should avoid long exposure to the sun.

With Ephedra, St. Johns Wort and Yohimbe you should talk with a doctor before taking them if you are pregnant, nursing have high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate or if you are taking prescription drugs especially MAO inhibitors. Discontinue use of these herbs if you notice nervousness, tremors, sleeplessness, loss of appetite or nausea. Keep these out of reach of children and only use at the recommended dose.

Boldo and Chaparral should be avoided if you have or may have a kidney or liver issue. If you notice nausea, fever, fatigue or jaundice which is observed by dark urine or yellow discoloration of the eyes you should stop taking these herbs.

The food and drugs administration hasn’t evaluated most of the statements made by diet pill companies. The FDA also doesn’t test herbs and evaluate them. You shouldn’t use herbs to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any specific illness or disease. A diagnosis or treatment can only be determined by your doctor. Only use the herbs as instructed and be aware of any allergic reactions.