U se of other herbs or supplements may actually be the cause of the patient's need for emergency medical care. In our nursing assessment we might 'screen' the patient for caffeine or drug use yet might neglect learning about other causative factors such as the use of herbs or nutritional supplements. All of these herbs have 'stimulant' properties, which can result in tachycardia, hypertension, nervousness, sleeplessness and palpitations in sensitive persons and at higher doses. Ma huang, especially, should be used with caution as it interacts with several types of medications, including cardiac glycosides and MAO inhibitors. A recent report in the University of California, Berkeley, Wellness Letter recommend avoiding any herbal supplement containing ma huang, as there have been documented deaths from its use.
T here are many references entering the market about herbs and supplements.
It contains information about actions and pharmacology, contraindications, precautions, adverse reactions and effects of overdosage. With the increase in usage of herbal and nutritional supplements, it is recommended that emergency departments have a reliable reference containing scientific information about these produces. A reference book regarding herbal and nutritional supplements should be selected based on its objective presentation of the material rather than as a book which intends to convince the reader about the safety of such preparations. It also should include scientific references from reputable sources. As emergency caregivers, we have a responsibility to increase our awareness of the use and side-effects of herbal and nutritional supplements.