1) Caution is advised on using herbal supplements
manufactured outside of the United States.
2) Standardized
herbal supplements are the best purchases to make.
3) When
you plan to take herbal supplements for a single purpose,
try to purchase single-herb products.
4) While
the vast majority of European herbs are closed monitored,
regulated and standardized, other countries do not have guidelines
in place.
5) Depending
on the country where natural supplements are manufactured,
toxic ingredients and contaminants have been identified in
the product.
6) Single-herb
formulated supplements clearly detail how much the herb of
each dose contains.
7) Certain
multi-herb supplements products are compounds of numerous
herbs combined with unknown quantities.
8) Patients
who are taking prescribed medications or over-the-counter
(OTC) medicines.
9) Certain
herb supplements may trigger serious side events when taken
in conjunction with a prescription or any type of OTC medication
drugs including and not limited to aspirin, pain relievers,
blood thinners, blood pressure medications and others.
10) Check
with both your pharmacist and physician regarding any potential
interactions.
11) A
proven medical treatment is available for your medical condition.
A traditional medication with an established record for safety
and effectiveness will generally be less likely to result
in adverse side effects.
12) Prior
to any surgical procedure, inform your doctor of every supplement
and medicine you may be taking.
13) Both expectant and breast-feeding mothers should not use
any prescriptions, over-the-counter OTC or vitamin/herbal
supplements an obstetrician authorizes it.
14) Natural
supplements as well as OTC and prescribed medicine may diminish
the efficacy of anesthetics. Others may trigger serious complications
including internal bleeding or high blood pressure.
15) Individuals
under the age of 18 or over the age of 65 metabolize medications
in different ways.
