Herbs, like any medication, can have potentially harmful side effects and while they can certainly be beneficial, should be used with caution.

The use of herbs has been documented for centuries and are used by those who consider them to be a safer alternative to drugs. Although any modern drugs have herbal or plant ingredients, the efficacy of herbal supplements is believed to derive from the interaction of all the compounds found in the herb, whereas over-the-counter medications often use just one of the many compounds found in herbs. The process of extracting the compound and the chemicals used to do this may also alter their effects.

What are the dangers of using herbal supplements?

• Incompatibility with medications

Those already taking drugs prescribed by their doctor are often unaware of the potential danger of the interaction of herbal supplements with their current medication.

• Pre-existing medical conditions

Those with existing conditions should be particularly careful to ensure a herbal supplement will not aggravate their condition. Those with heart problems should not take herbal supplements that may cause an increase in blood pressure for example.

• Pregnant women and those nursing their babies should also be extra vigilant when taking herbal supplements because of the potentially harmful effects on the baby.

• Those who are going into hospital to have surgery should always inform their doctor of any drugs or supplements they are taking as some of these could have blood thinning ingredients with the potential to jeopardize their recovery.

Lack of regulation
The majority of herbal supplements will be classed as dietary supplements which mean they are not as strictly monitored as prescription medication. For example, while herbs undergo limited testing, herbal supplements are not reviewed by the Food and Drug administration before they are sold and they will generally act only after it is available to the general public and problems are reported with it.