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The Dangers of Some Herbal Medicines Exposed

Herbal medicines used to be considered the answer for all those who cast a critical and quizzical eye on prescription drugs and their side effects. After all, herbs were derived from plants and plants were considered safe and healthy! Yet in recent decades the wide eyed naiveté that used to be at the heart of this matter has begun to wane and as a matter of fact there is now a movement underfoot that seeks to heavily regulate the sale of herbal medicines.

The dangers of some herbal medicines exposed in the press, online, and of course the evening news, it is surprising that many consumers are still opting for the more dangerous road less traveled in order to bring about a desired result - usually weight loss - and to protect yourself from falling victim to a questionable herbal medicine yourself, here are some tips that are vital to follow:

* No matter which way the herbal medicine is packaged - tincture, balm, tea, nutritional supplement, or essential oil - remember that the potential for harm is the same. Do not assume that a cream is safer than a supplement simply because the former is rubbed onto the skin while the latter is ingested. The ingredients of the cream will frequently pass through the layers of the skin and then become absorbed by the bloodstream and thus affect the human body. There is no delivery system for herbal medicines that is less dangerous or safer than others.

* Request a list of the ingredients and make sure that you receive an English version. It is tempting to be content with a list that is written in a foreign language and take the willingness of the manufacturer to supply you with these ingredients as a good sign of their honesty and the safety of the ingredients, but frequently these lists contain only the most generic mentioning of ingredients and whether they are in English or any other language, they are still not sufficient.

* Be on the lookout for banned substances. There are several drugs and herbal medicines that have been banned in the United States because they have become associated with the high risk of fatality. At the top of the list is ephedrine, which was a popular ingredient for weight loss supplements. Do not risk your health and life by opting to purchase herbal medicines that still contain such items. Available for sale via mail order or in the dark recesses of hole in the wall natural herb stores, it is tempting to buy them - after all, if someone makes it, it must be safe - but the reality check that is found in so many news stories talking about unsuspecting consumers turning up dead after ingesting these medicines provides a powerful deterrent that cannot be ignored.

* Remember that renal failure, heart failure, seizures, and miscarriages are not usually reported on the evening news - unless they happen to a celebrity - and the risks associated with herbal medicines may not be as exposed as you would like, but they are clear and present nonetheless.