Are herbal health products and supplements safe because they’re
natural?

What do you mean by “safe?” The other day, water killed a radio
contestant when she diluted her potassium levels to the point she had
heart failure. Does that mean water is dangerous? If you were on top
of a really high mountain, you might die for lack of oxygen, but you
could just as easily die of too much oxygen if someone didn’t remove
the respirator when trying to save you. Do you want to cut back on
your oxygen? A better question is whether you can compare the odds of
getting well (or dying) using a particular treatment. For instance,
how does Kava, a natural sedative, compare with a prescription drug?

What types of herbal products and supplements are available?

All types, from combination formulas to individual herbs for specific
applications. My favorites are Rhodiola, Kava, and sleep formulas that
contain several herbal soporifics. You can find a good overview of the
subject at http://www.herbalgram.org.

Do any health problems increase the danger of taking herbal products
and supplements?

Sure, your existing health can be a factor in how you respond to
anything you ingest. When you have the flu, do you eat a candy bar?
Why not? While the body is incredibly good at fighting off the ill
effects of junk food, it’s more vulnerable when you are already ill.
But why would a vitamin, mineral or other essential nutrient, which
provide the body with good health in the first place, cause you a
problem? Some people, those with certain genetic traits like
hemochromatosis (about 1 in 300), are at risk of getting too much iron,
so they need to avoid taking iron-containing supplements. Regarding
minerals, some forms are less effective, like magnesium oxide, which
works ok as a laxative, however magnesium aspartate or glycinate are
better at supporting overall health. Herbals are more tricky. Many
are contraindicated for pregnant women, and some are more likely to
cause an allergic response (like Valerian, which can cause a skin rash
with prolonged use.) This raises another important point. Don’t think
of herbs and essential nutrients as being equivalent in any way. Herbs
do contain various vitamins and minerals, but they also contain
hundreds of phytochemicals found naturally in the plant, and you might
be allergic to one or more of them. This is not typical, but it
happens. It would almost never be life-threatening. For instance,
death by bee sting is more likely than being killed by a dietary
supplement.

99% of our health needs can be addressed with nothing more than basic
nutrition, hopefully a food-based supplement that doesn’t contain
synthetic vitamins. If you do choose to use an herbal product, make it
a short-term thing. Herbs are not magic

What are possible side effects of herbal products and supplements?

See the website mentioned above. Side effects are rare.

Can herbal health products or supplements change the way prescription
or OTC drugs work?

It’s really the other way around. Drugs interfere with nutrient
uptake. Drug side effects are a disease pathology of their own.
Consult a naturopath about ways to correct any disease process
associated with the long-term use of medication.

Can herbal health products and supplements cause other problems?

People sometimes consume more supplements than they need. Most people
(those already in good health) need only a multi-vitamin, extra vitamin
C, extra vitamin E, and extra vitamin B.