In addition to unlisted medications, some herbal products have undesirable heavy metals in them, Dr. Fugh-Berman reports. Herbal medicines remain popular in the United States and elsewhere, Dr. Fugh-Berman notes. Among U.S. adults who regularly take prescription medications, 18.4 percent take at least one herbal product or high-dose vitamin, one survey showed. Moreover, more than 60 percent of the patients didn't tell their doctors that they used the herbal products. Also, many people do not consult their doctor when they experience an adverse reaction to herbal medicines.
More research is needed on the interaction of herbal and conventional drugs.
Also, doctors need to ask patients about their use of herbal medication in a non-judgmental manner, so patients will be honest with them, she advises. The true prevalence of drug interactions is substantial but unknown. HeartInfo Commentary Anything that you ingest can alter the way your medicines work. This is true for herbal remedies as well as some foods. Herbal remedies are far from innocuous.