Herbal supplements can help you improve your health, but you need to be careful to avoid the side effects of some products. The best way to avoid them is to talk to a licensed herbalist or naturopathic doctor. The herbal supplements should be taken according to the instructions, and if you have any side effects, it’s best to stop using them. If you have a severe reaction, call 911 or your local emergency number. When buying herbal supplements, it’s important to look for those with standardized formulas and ingredients.
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM)
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is an increasingly popular alternative medicine. Its benefits include a low price tag, low risk, and a wide range of treatment options. The decision to include TCM in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11) is welcome news for practitioners and advocates of TCM. The inclusion will also help promote the practice and spread TCM throughout the world.
TCM herbs and formulas are used in acupuncture and other treatments. Its practitioners select herbal combinations based on the essence of the ingredients in order to produce the desired healing effect. The essence is the signature energy vibration of each herb and helps to adjust the body’s energy vibration.
Common herbs
A great number of patients use natural health products and herbal remedies in addition to conventional medicine. Physicians who practice conventional medicine have to carefully evaluate these products to make sure they are safe and effective for their patients. Fortunately, some herbs have been studied extensively and are considered safe. In general, however, it’s better to consult a trained herbalist before using any herbal remedy, especially if you’re pregnant.
Herbs are categorized as dietary supplements, and therefore manufacturers cannot claim that they can cure a disease or treat a symptom. In addition, herbal products are not regulated by the FDA.
Side effects
Although herbal supplements and health foods have been around for centuries, they do have some side effects. Many of them can cause adverse reactions in patients, especially when they are used during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Some of these supplements may contain contaminants and heavy metals, so it is important to avoid them during these times. If you are planning to take herbal supplements during pregnancy, consult your family doctor first. It is also important to know that herbal supplements and health foods can interfere with some prescription and OTC medicines.
Herbal medicines have been used for centuries to treat medical conditions, and use of some of these substances dates back as far as 2800 B.C. In China, for example, many common medications were derived from plants. For instance, digoxin, used for heart conditions, was originally an herb, as did morphine. Another example is capsicum, which comes from chili peppers and is known to be an effective pain reliever. Unfortunately, many herbal medicines haven’t been studied the way that prescription medications are, and side effects are common.
Common supplements
Herbal health supplements are not a substitute for prescribed medications, but they can be helpful in certain conditions. Some of them are effective at reducing the side effects of prescription drugs while others may have interactions with prescription drugs. A doctor should be consulted before starting any herbal supplement. In addition, you should know the risks associated with using herbal supplements.
Herbal supplements contain compounds extracted from plants. They contain herbs and botanicals that have healing properties. Some of these herbs are topically applied to skin conditions such as burns or psoriasis, and are also taken orally for digestive problems. Others, such as black cohosh, have been used to treat hot flashes and other symptoms of menopause. Chamomile has also been used to treat skin conditions and anxiety.
Safety
There are a variety of herbal health supplements available in the market. While they are marketed as “natural,” their safety has not been proven by clinical trials. They may contain plant pollen and other substances that may be toxic or have other side effects. Because of this, you should always consult a professional herbalist before taking any herbal health supplement.
Research on herbal medicines shows that about a third of’medical’ drugs are plant-derived. But there are a growing number of reports of adverse reactions to herbal medicines. Most of these incidents are related to poor quality, inadequate labelling, and incorrect plant identification. Some herbal medicines may interact with many medications, resulting in serious adverse effects. In some cases, these interactions may be due to phyto-chemically mediated modulation of cytochrome P450 activity.