We can expect many of our patients to be using complementary remedies, including herbs, vitamins, spices, or other “natural” substances. Some of our clients select their own remedies based on word of mouth from friends or relatives. Often people use them because lack of insurance or resources limits access to healthcare. Whatever the motivation, we need to know (to teach our patients):

• “Natural” isn’t synonymous with safe. Everything that has a good effect has possible adverse effects.
• Complementary remedies such as herbs and vitamins can interact with prescribed conventional medications and potentially worsen health.
• Herbs and other complementary remedies are regulated by the FDA as food products and are checked only for things such as contaminants and adulterants (insect parts, dirt, etc.) and not for levels of effective ingredients, for example.
• Errors associated with self-diagnosing have real dangers whether we take “real medicines” or “natural remedies.”

Source: Stressed Out About Pharmacology, HCPro Inc., 2008. For more information on this book or to order your copy today, click here.