Medicinal herbs that can be dangerous - turmeric, St. John's wort, green tea extract & kava - side effects & what you should definitely consider

Medicinal herbs that can be dangerous - turmeric, St. John's wort, green tea extract & kava - side effects & what you should definitely consider

Natural herbs can be as effective as OTC medication, but that does not mean that they are without risks. Here you will find out which medicinal herbs could harm more than benefit.

Many complaints - such as sore muscles, a weak immune system, lack of sleep and anxiety - can be alleviated by natural means. According to the National Institute of Health, more than a third of American adults use any form of complementary and alternative medicine (most common natural nutritional supplements). While vegetable remedies in the western world have been becoming increasingly popular in the western world, native cultures have been using natural remedies for centuries. Modern herbs are generally still safe, but we may harvest or consume you like our ancestors where it starts to become dangerous. ((Link removed))

The plant tribes that are bred, the harvesting method and the dosage in which they are absorbed are not necessarily the same as for the first medical use of the plants, explains Michael Tims, Ph.D. , Academic director of the herbal program at Maryland University of Integrative Health. Since the FDA herbs classify herbs as a "dietary supplement", it only takes responsibility for regulating the safety of the individual ingredients. This means that falsified formulas are not necessarily monitored as precisely as with conventional prescription medication. (Source)

"Herbs need a proven security balance so that the FDA can approve its use," explains Tims. For traditional herbs, their use of thousands of years is sufficient as an epidemiological way to give them the grass award ("generally recognized as secure") of the FDA or to be recognized as "herbs in retail" according to the law on health and formation of nutritional supplements. New dietary ingredients require a much more robust representation of the data to prove their safety, he adds. While the FDA monitors the safety of individual ingredients, most of the responsibility for security and conformity is at the manufacturer.

The bigger problem: Some herbs interact with prescription and OTC medication, which indigenous cultures never had to worry about, says Tims. While herbs can significantly improve their health, certain combinations can have harmful effects. For example, researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine recently found that around 5 percent of the people who are added to the herbal aristolochia that traditionally be used to increase sex drive, to strengthen immune function and to support menstruation have as serious side effects as the kidney, liver and bladder. It is the responsibility of the manufacturers of nutritional supplements to report these side effects of the FDA so that they can rethink their attitude. ((Link removed))

1. Medicines: Kava

cava effect & application

This herb is sometimes referred to as "noise pepper" and has been used by the Polynesians for centuries because of its hypnotic and soothing properties. In the 90s, the western world recognized the ability of the herb to alleviate stress, anxiety and insomnia. A study published in 2007 in American Family Physician recommended the short -term use of KAVA for moderate anxiety disorders. (Source)

Kava side effects

With increasing popularity of the herb (often taken as a drink), reports on liver damage also increased - enough that Canada and a handful of European countries banned the addition of the supplement in the early 2000s. The United States has never done this, and some countries like Germany have now lifted the ban.

What makes Kava dangerous?

"The problem is not necessarily the herb itself, but how it is used and deviates from tradition," says Tims. Breeders and producers began to use black cava who was easier to harvest than the traditional white variety. They started using chips and plant parts that had not been used beforehand. And they began to extract it in a non -traditional way that concentrated less on water -soluble lipids and changed the way our body absorbs the herb. In addition, the plant was absorbed at such a speed that in combination with other factors such as medicinal products and excessive alcohol consumption, it torn the liver of people.

2. Medicines: green tea extract

green tea extract effect & application

Green tea is one of the best herbs for your health. For the most part, the antioxidants in the drink contribute to reducing the risk of heart diseases, obesity, diabetes and cancer. And the popularity of green tea extract in food supplements for weight reduction has shot up in recent years. ((Link removed), (link removed))

green tea extract side effects

The American College of Gastroenterology published a warning in 2014 that the herb will be toxic and can actually cause liver failure if the supplementary form is taken in a high dose. The herb can also be dangerous if it is combined with certain medication such as amphetamines or prescribed medication such as MAOI antidepressants and quinolon antibiotics that interact with the natural caffeine in the extract to overstimulate your body and to increase high blood pressure, nervousness and headache. (Source)

What makes green tea extract dangerous?

It is difficult to know because the potential problems with green tea have been reported, but most have not been checked.  "There are natural differences in tea - whether it was harvested, for example during monsoon - as well as differences in the way it is extracted," says Tims. The problem could also be caused by excessive caffeine (the tea already contains some, but weight loss supplements are often caused to increase the metabolism) or by an overload with EGCG and other catechins that give the herb its detoxifying power.

3. Medicines: St. John's wort

St. John's wort effect & application

St. John's wort is a highly effective natural antidepressant. Its chemical composition promotes the inclusion of important neurochemicals such as serotonin, dopamine and noradrenaline.

St. John's wort side effects

The Kraut, which causes happiness, is also known for reducing the effectiveness of certain prescription medication. According to a study published in Planta Medica , more than 70 percent of all prescription drugs are affected by St. John's wort in one way or another. An Australian study from last year also showed that St. John's wort can sometimes cause similar side effects to people who occupy Prozac, namely anxiety, panic attacks, dizziness, nausea and blood pressure tips. ((Link removed), source 2)

What makes St. John's wort dangerous?

St. John's wort binds to enzymes in the liver, some of which are the same enzymes, to which other medication bind. This crossing changes the chemical structure of the second drug and creates the potential that you quickly reach a toxic dose or, conversely, never achieve an effective level, explains Tims. The most common problem: the plant makes the contraception less effective. Women who take both St. John's wort and oral contraception report on an increase in irregular bleeding and, which is even more alarming, an increase in unplanned pregnancies. ((Link removed), (link removed))

4. Medicines: turmeric (yellow root)

turmeric effect & application

The extraction of this root takes place both due to its anti -inflammatory properties to relieve problems such as constipation and due to their antimicrobial properties to prevent infections with a cold and upper airways. If you believe that you have never taken it before, check your natural all -round media - yellow root is often formulated with echinacea.

turmeric (yellow root) side effects

While the herb fought excellently, it also reduces the activity of two main cymes that help your body remove toxins and medication, CYP3A4 and CYP2D6, according to the above -mentioned study by Planta Medica . The Cleveland Clinic also warns that yellow roots can influence the blood pressure and increase the risk of bleeding if it takes blood -thinning medication such as warfarin. ((Link removed), (link removed))

What makes turmeric dangerous?

The herb can influence how quickly your body processes and removes active ingredients of medication and other herbs. A study published in 2008 in molecular Nutrition & Food Research showed that this remedy influences these enzymes so strongly that researchers recommend people who are limited to prescription drugs that are metabolized by CYP2D6, such as serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIS), BetaBlocker, opiate and Antarrhythmic. ((Link removed))