Initially, you may not feel comfortable discussing alternative remedies with your doctor, but it's important that he or she is aware of every drug and herb that you're taking, simply because of potential side-effects or dangerous drug interactions. Some seniors, for example, are taking the herb Ginkgo biloba with hopes of improving their memory. But the herb, like aspirin, is a blood thinner, and taking aspirin and Gingko together may increase the risk of excessive bleeding. Likewise, dandelion has been reported to have diuretic benefits, but if you're already taking a diuretic medication such as Lasix, combining it with dandelion could disrupt the heart's rhythm and cause serious consequences. Physicians are learning more about alternative remedies.
Physicians are generally more willing to discuss what was once a taboo subject.
While I don't recommend shopping for herbs on the Internet, several Web sites can provide useful information. The American Botanical Council and the National Institute of Health are credible sources. Herbal remedies may have a bigger, more credible place in health care in the future, but we clearly need more scientific evidence before we can say that these products are safe and effective. Avery Faigenbaum is a professor of exercise physiology at the University of Massachusetts, Boston. Pro Shop Golfstats Privacy Policy .