Natural Medicinal Herbs Information Part II

General precautions when you are taking herbs

• Check with your health care practitioner before using any herbal product, especially if you're taking a prescription drug. Tell your practitioner about all drugs you're taking, including nonprescription medications and vitamins. Many herbal remedies can interact with other drugs. Make sure your health care practitioner is aware of your medical history, including allergies.
• When taking an herb, follow the instructions exactly. If you take too much of an herb or take it inappropriately, you may get no benefit from taking it-or put yourself at risk for potentially dangerous side effects.
• Never ignore symptoms you're experiencing. Contact your health care practitioner if you experience side effects of an herbal agent or if you have other health concerns that would normally require medical attention.
• Be sure to call your health care practitioner if you experience abdominal cramping, abnormal bleeding or bruising, changes in your pulse or heart rhythm; vision changes, dizziness or fainting; hair loss; hallucinations, inability to concentrate or other mental changes, hives, itching, rash, or other allergic symptoms, appetite loss, or dramatic weight loss.
• Don't use herbal agents to delay seeking more appropriate therapy. Keep in mind that herbs aren't necessarily a substitute for proven medical therapy.
• If you're a parent or other caregiver, consider each of the preceding precautions before giving herbal medicines to a child or an elderly or debilitated person. Discontinue herbs at least 2 weeks before surgery. They can interfere with anesthesia and cause heart and blood vessel problems.

When to avoid natural medicinal herbs

1 Avoid herbal preparations if you're pregnant or breast-feeding. Most herbs effects on the fetus are unknown. If you're a woman of childbearing age, use birth control when taking herbs.

2 Don't use herbs for serious or potentially serious medical conditions, such as heart disease or bleeding disorders.

3 Never let other people take your herbs or other medicine. Store herbal agents out of reach of children and pets.

4 If you have questions about the herb you're taking, seek advice from a qualified health care provider. If your practitioner Isn't knowledgeable about herbs, ask for a referral to someone who is.

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