1. Educate Yourself
More and more people in the world are
turning to herbal products rather than using man made or synthetic medications prescribed
by a physician.
While there are many benefits to these
herbal supplements, there are safety and effectiveness issues that people need to
keep in mind before they join this growing trend.
First of all, if you are interested in
using herbal products, it is important for you to educate yourself.
2.
Are all Herbal
Products safe?
Many people feel that
herbal/alternative products are more “natural” and safer than conventional drugs.
Unfortunately, this is not always true and herbal products or very high doses of
vitamins or minerals can have potential side effects, just like prescription and
non-prescription (OTC) products.
All Kangra Herbal Products
are safe except Product 1 (link to product 1) and Product 2 (link to product 2)
3. Can I use Herbal
Products with allopathic/homeopathic/ayurvedic medicines ?
It is not unusual for
an individual to use both traditional herbal medicine, alternative treatments and
Western medications at the same time. More and more People are using these approaches
to treat health conditions.
4.
What is the Origin
of Herbal Medicines?
Many Ancient Cultures
like Chinese, Indians (Ayurveda), Native Americans, East Indian, Pacific Islanders,
Latin Americans, Inuit, and many other cultures have developed treatments from herbs,
minerals, or animal products.
5. Any Tips for
Purchasing Herbal Products?
Here are few tips
-
Has the product been approved by certifying
authority? At present following govt. bodies are authorized to certify herbal products.
-
Is the manufacturer well known and
reputable? (Ask your pharmacist.)
-
Does the label list the name of the
herb(s), the amount of the herb(s) in each dose in milligrams or grams, a lot number,
and an expiration date? If you choose to use products brought in from other countries,
read the label carefully with your pharmacist. Watch for names of prescription drugs
such as ephedrine and phenobarbital, which have been found in herbal products.
-
Does the label or product information
list contact information?
-
Call and ask how the raw herbs are
accurately identified and how the product is tested for purity and potency. Some
manufacturers will send a copy of their analysis to you and/or your physician, nurse
or pharmacist. An independent laboratory (ConsumerLab.com) has tested some herbal
products for purity and potency. Check their web site and select an approved product
or a manufacturer that clearly provides quality control.
-
Have you discussed the possible benefits
and adverse effects of the product with your pharmacist and/or physician?
6. What precautions
should I take before using an herbal product?
Learn all you can about
the product. Check for known side effects and interactions with medications or food.
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking a herbal product, especially
if you have a health condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes,
thyroid problems, a neurological condition, or a psychiatric problem. Children and
women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take herbal products unless
under the supervision of a competent physician. If you plan to have surgery, ask
your physician if you should stop herbal alternative treatments before surgery.
7. What should I
look for on the labels of herbal products?
The label should indicate
the name of the herb, the form (e.g., powder or standardized extract), and the amount
of the herb per dose in milligrams (mg) or grams (gm). A lot number and an expiration
date should be included.
8. Are Herbal Medicines affordable?
Herbal medicines are all natural and very affordable, most herbal medicines can even be grown in your back yard or bought at your local grocery store, they rarely have side effects, and claim that they can cure a cold before it even becomes a full fledged cold.
9. Most of the doctors smile at me
when I talk about herbal medicines?
Many people and doctors mock supporters
of herbal remedies, they're just common roots and herbs, most people who took herbal
medicines had to take them on faith. Now none believers are having to swallow their
words, interestingly enough the scientists who claimed the uselessness of these
medicines are the same men who have now found that they truly can work. Scientists
have found that Echinacea, one of the most commonly used herbal medicines,
has been found to reduce the severity of colds and reduce the duration of colds
by 1.4 days. It was also found that by regularly taking Echinacea the chance of
actually catching a cold was reduced by 58 per cent on average and when combined
with vitamin C supplements the odds of not catching a cold increased to 86 per cent.
Its interesting for all the studies done and all the scientists involved in these
studies doctors still don't know the full benefit or even how Echinacea and almost
any other herbal remedies work.
It's clear that herbal medicines and
remedies have some legitimate medical benefits, even if they aren't fully understood.
There are many different types of herbal medicines, almost all of which are cheap
and generally readily available. They generally have fewer side effects then manufactured
medicines and have been found to work for all types of illnesses. Even though these
herbal remedies have been found to be affective for most people some people grew
sicker while taking herbal medicines and they should be approached with the same
amount of care we approach manufactured medicines.