Learning About Herbal Medicine Drug Interaction

The herbal medicine drug interaction issue is one which must be taken incredibly seriously into consideration. A lot of people assume that just because herbs are natural and safe to take, that they will not be affected when taken with other herbs or even more so medications and prescriptions.

This is absolutely untrue, and in fact you can be putting yourself at serious risk by not being aware of the herbs that you are taking and by mixing them with other herbs and forms of medicine.

Herbal Medicine Drug Interaction

The issue of herbal medicine drug interaction is one which looms largely over the practice of herbal medicine. First reports about the herbal medicine drug interaction issue emerged about a decade ago, and since then a concern has been raised. After all, we really know very little about herbs and about their potential for interaction with drugs.

The natural of these interactions is not necessarily that of a chemical interaction between a drug and an herb component to produce something toxic, but instead this interaction would most likely involve having an herb component cause either an increase or decrease in the amount of the drug in the bloodstream.

A decrease in the amount of drug in the bloodstream could occur by the herb components binding up the drug and preventing it from getting to the bloodstream from the gastrointestinal tract, whereas an increase of the drug in the bloodstream could occur when an herb component aids absorption of the drug, or inhibits the enzymes that work by breaking down the drug and preparing it for elimination.

In regards to the herbal medicine drug interaction issue, today doctors and pharmacists alike are provided specific courses and educational materials that outline potential problems with herbs that their patients could be using. This helps them to become more informed and knowledgeable themselves, and thus they can pass this on to the appropriate patients.

When taken properly, herbs can be incredibly beneficial, even for such serious health conditions as cancer. However just because they are natural and most come from plant form, this does not mean that you can take as much as them as you want without discretion, and you still need to take the proper dosage amounts and not mix with other herbs or medications.

Also make sure that you work closely with your doctor so they can keep an eye on your condition and make sure to take note of how much you are improving.