Is Herbal Medicine Dangerous?

Is herbal medicine dangerous?

Yes, dangers certainly exist.

The most important point to understand is:

Just because something is natural does NOT mean that it is harmless.

It is the "natural" aspect of herbal remedies that is their big selling point, and the one that advertisers emphasis when advertising their products. It should be noted that plants manufacture compounds for their own benefit: not ours. Plants often contain toxins for their self protection.

The potential dangers of herbal remedies:

* Active compounds. Herbal remedies contain physiologically active compounds. i.e. drugs. Even where remedies are known to have an effect, the compounds responsible are often unknown or not well understood.

* Interference with prescribed drugs. As herbal remedies contain drugs they can have an effect not only on the body, but also with other drugs. St John's wort, for example, is known to counteract the effect of warfarin. This can lead to the death of the patient.

* Dubious safety. Natural does not mean safe (!)
Most herbal remedies have not been tested for their true effectiveness or their safety. There is a big misconception about these remedies being inherently safe. This can lead to consumers taking these remedies without a thought about overdosing or side effects.

* Regulation. Regulation is now in force. This means that companies that manufacture herbal remedies have to ensure that they are both safe and of standardized quality.

Hopefully, this will address the problem which existed where herbal remedies were potentially dangerous due to that fact that no-one knew what they contained and in what quantities. Of course, it also may lead to herbs which do contain active compounds being banned; thus leading to a group of herbs on sale that are safe, but non-effective.

NOTE: this legislation will only affect over-the-counter herbal remedies produced in the EU. It does not mean that the problem has been wholly solved

The glaring omission of the new legislation is that nowhere does it require evidence that herbal remedies actually work.

Many potential dangers of using herbs are known. It will be interesting to see what effect this new legislation actually has.

* Adulteration. Remedies, especially those imported from abroad, may have more than just herbs in them to make them appear more effective.

* Self diagnosis and self prescription. Many people, encouraged by books, will self diagnose their conditions and may pick and mix their remedies for themselves.

Initial misdiagnosis is an inherent danger in itself, and the fact that most compounds in herbal remedies are not known, it is possible that a quite inappropriate, or even damaging, remedy will be concocted.

Drugs are often more potent when administered in the presence of other drugs. This works whether the drug is beneficial or if it is harmful.

* Untargeted response. Remedies taken for one condition may not have the expected response. As they contain active drugs that are unknown and untested, the active compound could have a deleterious effect on a part of the body that was not considered as part of the initial problem.

As there are often thousands of chemicals in herbs there is a strong likelihood, if not a certainty, that some of them will contain toxins and carcinogens. Overuse of such untested compounds could lead to health problems caused by the "remedy".

* Pregnancy and breast feeding During pregnancy. A woman shares her bloodstream with that of her baby via the placenta. Toxic and harmful chemicals in the woman's body will be shared with her child. Many women sensibly quit smoking and give up alcohol during pregnancy.

In an effort to avoid "drugs" women may be tempted to use "natural" remedies as they are believed to be harmless. This is not the case. It is the untested nature of so many herbal remedies that is the cause for concern; their dangers and/or side effects are simply unknown.

Even advocates of herbal remedies are cautious about their use during pregnancy:

We recommend that women should avoid all herbal treatments whilst pregnant, and seek any health care required from a medical professional.

Toxic chemicals can also show up in breast milk, having been ingested by the mother. The same precautions should apply to breast feeding as to pregnancy.

For an overview of the dangers of herbal medicine

Conclusion

Herbal medicine is a pseudoscientific approach to healthcare and healing. It is based on mystical thinking and there is little quality scientific evidence to support the claims of its efficacy.

Whilst there is undoubtedly merit in testing plants for beneficial compounds they may contain, it is through a truly scientific approach that these benefits will be realized.

Unlike homeopathy, herbal remedies do contain active ingredients. This is the key to why some of them can be shown to have a physiological effect; it is also why the potential dangers from them are higher than with other alternative remedies, especially with home-made remedies or those imported from abroad.

The main problems are that there is very little regulation of this highly profitable industry, and the fact that consumers are under the false impression that these 'remedies' are intrinsically harmless.