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I never cease to be amazed at just how cautious people are of taking prescription medicines, given all the dangers thereof you know, and how readily they will scan the aisles of their local food store, or worse, 'health food store 'hungry to take a supplement, or herb, with a clever name and cutsey label not having a clue what's inside the bottle.

Their gullilbility to the hype of advertising causes them to swallow unknown, in many cases unpure, substances for vague or uneccessary reasons and the benefits thereof unproven.

What many people do not realize are the dangers inherent in taking supplements and herbal remedies.

We, as a society, are supposed to be going green, you know eating organic, pure things, not something slapped together in Bob's basement.

When the FDA, in 1990 something, made the ruling that allowed herbals and supplements to be classified as food products, rather than the chemical drugs they are, the flood-gates of of 'herbalism'  and 'supplementalism' were opened and there was no going back.

There is not enough time to go over all of the reasons to be cautious, but, Ill try.

From http://altmedicine.about.com/library/weekly/aa022501a.htm

Top Herbs in the United States.

*Note the column 'Reason People Take', SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH 'Condition Treated" as this statement is forbidden by law. In fact, all herbal remedies and supplements must carry the disclaimer: 'These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure, or mitigate any diasease.'

Top Supplements in the United States

Herbal Remedies and Supplements causing dangerous interactions with prescription medications, along with pill purity, dose consistency and control are among the biggest worries.

Bottom line is that, to my knowledge, there is no federal or state agency that monitors or regulates these substances as regards purity, safety, quality, active or inactive ingredients. And there are no standards for these.

OK. For people on anticoagulants like Aspirin, Coumadin, Warfarin, Plavix, the following are SOME agents that may cause SERIOUS BLEEDING PROBLEMS. Check with your doctor.

Bilberry, Forskolin, Ginko Biloba

Chamomile (German), Dong Quai, Licorice

Cat's Claw, Feverfew, Garlic, Ginger

Here are some additional problems that have been reported with supplements:

Black Cohash-nausea, dizziness

Echnicea-avoid if have autoimmune disease, hayfever, or allergies to flowers

Ginseng-avoid if uncontrolled high blood pressure, diabetes, insomnia, canDECREASE EFFECT OF ANTICOAGULANTS

Kava Kava-can be toxic to the liver, kidney, avoid with alcohol, antidepressants, ifParkinsons disease. Has been removed from the market in several countries.

A few words about Kava Kava, other supplements or enhancers and smoothies. There are chains and franchises, some maybe coming to your neighborhood soon, that promote the extrordinary healthy and tasty benefits of smoothies and other products made with Kava Kava and other supplements in formulations and concoctions loaded with possibly unknown and, as I mentioned above, possibly dangerous substances, yet touted as healthful.

Ask yourself, why am I drinking, eating or swallowing these things?

If you don't have a real good answer, best stay out of harm's way, and don't do it.

I've seen many serious and uneccessary problems in patients who from a misguided effort to stay healthy or treat an illness resorted to swallowing the unknown.

PRACTICE HEALTH DEFENSE:

When it comes to herbal remedies and supplements, think twice, check with your doctor, or unless there are compelling reasons to swallow blindfolded, just avoid them.

There will be no supplement to this posting!