Swallowing a garden variety of herbs has become as commonplace as taking a daily vitamin for many people. Unfortunately, consumers often use herbs without an awareness of potential adverse effects and interactions. They erroneously believe that because herbs are plants and natural products, there are harmless. They may overlook the reality that herbs can have potentially harmful effects or interactions. In fact, the survey cited earlier found that one in five persons who used herbal remedies mixed them with prescription drugs with which they could have serious adverse effects.
Some herbs have an anticoagulant effect.
These include chamomile, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo biloba, ginseng, and red clover. When taken with an anticoagulant, the risk of hemorrhage and stroke rise. Altered blood pressure. Hawthorn can be effective as a natural antihypertensive but, in some individuals or when combined with a prescription anthypertensive, can cause dramatic drops in blood pressure. This can lead to falls and other serious problems.