Herbal Remedies and Complementary Medicine

Up to 90 percent of people turn to complementary medicine, including many potential “cures” using herbal compounds, to cure their ills as they get older. Usually they are seeking nontraditional remedies for low back pain, headaches, arthritis and other joint pain, insomnia, depression, and, of course, aging. It’s big business, bringing in over $15 billion a year in the United States alone. Treatment modalities include diet, herbs, massage, breathing, and detoxification. Numerous herbal medicines are effective in the treatment of disease (shown in Table ) but have not necessarily become mainstream by any means.

Although herbal and other natural products may be beneficial in some circumstances, they can have significant and sometimes unpredictable side effects. The sale of herbs for medicinal use is largely unregulated. The ingredients of some herbal preparations are not listed on the packaging, and even when they are, the lists may not be accurate or complete. Companies selling herbs are not even required to demonstrate the safety or efficancy of their products.

For example, certain forms of ginseng may raise blood pres- sure, and mug wort (Mother wort) causes dermatitis (skin inflammation). Other people have been poisoned, in some cases fatally, by taking herbal preparations containing Heliotropium when they were also taking a prescribed barbiturate. To avoid possible drug interactions, be sure your physician is aware of any herbal preparations you use.

Herbal Medicines That Actually Work

are not listed on the packaging, and even when they are, the lists may not be accurate or complete. Companies selling herbs are not even required to demonstrate the safety or efficancy of their products.

For example, certain forms of ginseng may raise blood pres- sure, and mug wort (Mother wort) causes dermatitis (skin inflammation). Other people have been poisoned, in some cases fatally, by taking herbal preparations containing Heliotropium when they were also taking a prescribed barbiturate. To avoid possible drug interactions, be sure your physician is aware of any herbal prepara- tions you use.