Herbal Supplements

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• QWhy can it be dangerous to take herbal supplements?

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  A Baptist Health South Florida answered

  It can be dangerous to take herbal supplements because there are potential relevant side effects, including an increased risk of a harmful interaction with other medications.

  Particularly, green tea, garlic, ginkgo, ginseng, and hawthorn have the potential to reduce the efficacy of certain heart medications or increase their side effects. People taking aspirin or blood thinners should be especially cautious. Supplements combined with those medications can increase the risk of internal bleeding.

  Supplement products do not need to be approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before they’re sold. Moreover, the facilities in which they are made are not supervised as well as those of pharmaceutical companies.

• QIs castor oil safe and effective for menstrual disorders?

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  A Intermountain Healthcare answered

  Castor oil is very effective at causing diarrhea, but not so effective at treating menstrual disorders of any kind. I would recommend avoiding castor oil. Talk to your Gynecologist about the most effective treatment for your menstrual disorder. They will do a history and physical exam and determine what might work best for you.
• QWhat are psyllium supplements?

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  A Dr. Michael Roizen, MD , Internal Medicine, answered

  Psyllium (pronounced silly-um) is a fiber supplement derived from a Mediterranean plantain, which has been shown to help bulk up our stool and improve digestive flow by sucking water into your bowel. Take a rounded teaspoon per day, but make sure to add lots of water, or you'll feel like you just ate concrete.

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• QAre there any side effects of Estroven?

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  A Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answered

  Generally, there are minimal side effects of Estroven. Because Estroven contains soy, it may provoke an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to this ingredient. Further, Estroven contains black cohosh, which is dangerous for those who have liver disease, and boron, which in large doses may be harmful for those with kidney disease or a hormone-sensitve disease like ovarian cancer or uterine fibroids. Consult with your doctor before taking Estroven and always remain vigilant for changes in how you feel and look while on new supplements.

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• QHow can I use boswellia extract to help relieve joint pain?

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  A Dr. Mehmet Oz, MD , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answered

  Boswellia, also known as Indian frankincense, is an herbal extract that alleviates joint pain by reducing cartilage damage. It's available at health stores -- be sure to purchase boswellia extract with a concentration of at least 40% to get the most benefits. Take at least 300 mg daily to reduce joint pain and increase mobility.
• QWhen can I use aconite to treat anxiety?

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  A National Center for Homeopathy answered

  Aconite is a homeopathic remedy that can be used to treat anxiety. It is suitable for acute situations when sudden fears overtake one rapidly. The person may have an intense fear (or presentiment) of death, as well as palpitations, shortness of breath, flushed face and trembling.
• QWhen can I use guaiacum to treat arthritis?

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  A National Center for Homeopathy answered

  For the homeopathic treatment of arthritis, guaiacum is suitable for people whose symptoms include rheumatic affections of the small joints, especially the wrists and fingers. These symptoms may be worse from warmth and better from cold applications.
• QHow effective are gugulipid supplements?

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  A Shannon Butler , Nutrition & Dietetics, answered

  Guggulipid is an extract from the guggul tree, which can be found in India and Pakistan. Historically, it has been used to relieve arthritis, sore throats, and leprosy. More recently it has been claimed in the media to reduce cholesterol levels, treat acne and aid in weight loss.

  Currently, there is not sufficient evidence to prove that guggulipid is effective in any of the aforementioned health claims. In 2003, a randomized, double-blind, clinical trial showed that guggulipid actually increased LDL cholesterol levels by 4-5% compared with the placebo. A study done in mice showed that guggulipid may be effective in treating hypothyroidism, but there is currently no human data to support these claims.

  Guggulipids are known to interact with some prescription medications, including thyroid medications, cancer and HIV medications and acetaminophen (tylenol). If taking any of these medications, guggulipids should be avoided.

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• QCan drinking cocoa improve my memory?

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  A Saint Agnes Medical Center answered

  Drinking regular cocoa is not likely to help improve your memory. In an experiment, 37 healthy adults ages 50 to 69 were randomly given diets either high or low in flavanols, a bioactive substance found in cacao beans, for three months. The high-flavanol group experienced improvements in the function of the dentate gyrus, a specific part of the brain related to memory, and performed better on a memory test than the low-flavanol volunteers. But researchers caution that the study subjects received a specially prepared high-flavanol cocoa drink; regular cocoa is most likely stripped of many of the flavanols. You can also get flavanols in tea and fruits such as apples and grapes.
  
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