Herbal medicines- effective but not always safe
It is commonly known that herbs can protect our organism from many diseases and alleviate numerous ailments. Although everyone would agree that they are safe for our health, do not cause nay side effects and can be used with other medicines, this is not always the case. Using herbal medicines or herbal preparations carelessly may lead to more or less serious complications.
The contemporary market is of herbal medicines for different ailments. Tempted by colourful boxes and convinced that they are safe, we buy herbal teas for slimming, stomach ache or constipations and use them excessively to accelerate the process of treatment. However, herbs are not always safe. The widely- available Hypericum used by people suffering from depression is strongly recommended not to take during pregnancy or when tanning. What is more, it has caused few deaths in patients undergoing anti-HIV/AIDS and cancer treatment. Extremely high doses are harmful for human liver. And finally, an important piece of information for women, Hypericm interferes with the combined oral contraceptive pill !!!
It has been medically proved that the remedy for heart diseases- Lady’s Glove is quite effective. Nevertheless, its effect on heart (see recommended article about herbal preparations and heart) is very powerful and if one uses the herb too much, the patient may even die. Moreover, people should not prepare medicaments on the basis of this plant on their own as it is highly toxic. If one needs the plant for medical purposes, it should be bought in its purified pharmacological form in chemist’s only.
Grand Wormwood is a plant which destroys parasites in living organisms, increases appetite and may be useful for many other purposes as well. Nevertheless, one should not take medicines containing this plant excessively as it may lead to irreparable changes in central nervous system and even make breathing impossible. That is why it is not recommended to cultivate the plant on one’s own.
Nobody undermines the medical properties of the plants and the article does not aim at discouraging you from using herbs. Their effectiveness in treating illnesses has been proved both by medical research and our ancestors. However, one should bear in mind that taking herbal medicines without the consultation with a specialist, carelessly and excessively also causes side effects just like other medicaments.