Sound Off!

Something I see and hear a lot when describing a product, "Its natural - it must be good for you." Not necessarily - what about anthrax, mold and toadstools – they're natural but I certainly don't want to consume any. Although some of the herbal remedies have been around for centuries, you still have to use caution. Supplements and herbal products are not tested to verify safety and effectiveness, and they are not regulated like prescription and over-the-counter medications. They can have side effects and interact with other medicines that you take so it's always important to discuss with your doctor before taking any kind of supplement or herbal product. It's particularly important to speak up if you:

have a medical condition use other medicines are having surgery are pregnant or nursing

Common supplements or herbal products and interactions to consider before taking:

Echinacea – can reduce the effectiveness of birth control pill, may inflame the liver Kava – can increase the effects of alcohol, may worsen the symptoms of Parkinson's disease Licorice compounds (not the candy) – may raise blood pressure, can lead to a loss of potassium St. John's wort – can interact with some heart medications and other drugs Vitamin E – can increase bleeding especially if you take anti-clotting medicines, may affect your thyroid gland function

Get the scoop on supplements:

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Dietary Supplements

Finally, if you do use supplements or herbal products don't take more than the recommended dose.

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