Herbal remedies advertise weight loss and instant relief from long-term health problems. Vitamins purport to provide all the energy we need. Billions of dollars are spent each year for herbal and vitamin supplements that may not work and may not be safe for all individuals. Because these products are sold as food items rather than medications, they do not need to meet as many federal guidelines and regulations and therefore may not be examined as carefully for their therapeutic power, dosages, safety, or side effects. Herbs are natural and cannot hurt me.
Herbs are the functional ingredients in most medications.
Taking too much of some herbs can cause serious problems like abnormal bleeding, headaches, and nerve damage. These problems can be temporary or permanent. I should not tell my doctor if I am taking herbs because she might think that I am foolish. Some herbs can cause medications to be ineffective. For example, St. John's Wort may help with depression but may cause birth control pills not to work.