Last week the Consumer Report published a report titled “The Dirty Dozen of Dangerous Ingredients”. The report describes 12 dietary supplement ingredients which can be linked to serious health problems. The information was based on findings by the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, an independent research group which had identified these twelve ingredients as dangerous either by research study or case reports.
Consumer Report lists these 12 ingredients, their use, possible dangers and comments based on the publications research. Included in this list are herbals such as aconite, bitter orange, chaparral, coltsfoot, comfrey, country mallow (sida), greater celandine, kava, lobelia and yohimbe.
Reading the information makes you doubt the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies and dietary supplements, but the truth is that more people die each year or suffer severe side effects from over-the-counter and prescripton drugs.
On the other hand, herbals, while not regulated as medicine ARE Nature’s medicine and need to be respected as such. Take foxglove, for example. It is a flower that is successfully used in homeopathic remedies as well as allopathic medicne. The plant’s main consituent, digitalin, is extracted and successfully used in the prescripton drugs Lanoxin and Digoxin to treat heart conditions. If, however, dosed incorrectly by laymen, foxglove is toxic and can cause death.
Dosage and application are extremely important factors when taking herbs as medicine. Treat them like you would regular drugs and always work with a health care professional who understands the actions of herbals and is trained to prescribe them. These professionals can help you identify indications or possible interactions with drugs you might be taking.
Don’t, however, let the information in the consumer’s report deter you from using herbal remedies for health and wellness. Many herbals we know and use have been valued for centuries and are considered safe by the FDA.
I certainly won’t give up my cup of nettle tea in the morning any time soon!
