Do not underestimate the effect of medicinal herbs

If naturopathy is underestimated: Medicinal plants are by no means always harmless

14/01/2013

Medicinal plants such as comfrey, plantain or woodruff, wild garlic or nettle are growing in popularity, but may also be associated with health risks, according to the Agricultural Information Center Proplanta. Not all natural herbal remedies are harmless. Lots „Herbs in various dosage forms can cause seizures or other side effects, especially in overdose and infants“, so the message from Proplanta.

With reference to a study by the Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy, the Information Center for Agriculture reports that around 70 percent of adults in Germany today use natural remedies, with non-prescription phytopharmaceuticals playing a key role. For the herbal remedies were „according to Federal Association of pharmaceutical manufacturers in 2011 spent about 1.05 billion euros“, reports Proplanta. Two-thirds of the sum was attributable to cough and cold remedies. Although the herbal supplements are often sold over the counter, according to Proplanta, a certain degree of caution is required here as well „they are by no means harmless.“

Medicinal plants with comparatively few side effects
On the whole, medicinal herbs are considered to have relatively few side effects, but under certain circumstances, these also carry a certain risk with them, according to the announcement by Proplanta. The healing power of many herbal active ingredients has now been clearly scientifically proven and many drugs have made use of this effect for years. „Some have been chemically mimicked by pharmaceutical companies for some time, such as salicylic acid from willow bark, which has been used as acetylsalicylic acid for over 100 years for headache“, reports Proplanta. However, the overall effect of a plant is often different than that of a single ingredient.

No self-medication with medicinal herbs in severe diseases
According to Proplanta, the medicinal plants may have unpleasant side effects, which in the worst case may well pose a health risk. As an example, call the Agricultural Information Center „St. John's wort, which has proven itself as an antidepressant, but can cause strong photosensitivity and mania.“ In addition, St. John's Wort can greatly reduce the effects of other drugs. Unwanted pregnancies despite taking the pill are a possible consequence here. Generally be „In case of moderate to severe illnesses a visit to the doctor is unavoidable“, emphasized Dr. med. Heimfried Rüdinger, health expert at Proplanta. Numerous doctors have meanwhile specialized in natural remedies and phytotherapy, so that the preferred use of medicinal plants can usually be guaranteed here as well. The preferred self-medication with medicinal herbs by many patients should, however, be avoided as far as possible, especially in the case of more severe diseases, reports Proplanta.

Medicinal plants have been proven for centuries
Although the natural remedies, especially if used incorrectly and dosed, can certainly cause side effects, they usually are „used preventively and for the treatment of mild discomfort as well as for the strengthening of the body and the defenses“ relatively well, reports the health expert of the Agricultural Information Center. Here would be the „Medicinal plants have been proven for centuries.“ According to Dr. Rüdiger should „But you know what you are doing and get to know each other in advance.“ (Fp)

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