Herbal supplements can interact with conventional medicines. Some may have strong effects. Don’t self-diagnose or self-prescribe. Talk with your healthcare provider before taking herbal supplements.
- Educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about the herbs you are taking. Talk with your provider and contact herbal supplement manufacturers for information. Pharmacists can be easy to access, reliable sources of information on the effects of herbal supplements. They can also provide helpful information about any interactions between medicines and herbal supplements.
- Follow label instructions carefully. If you use herbal supplements, use the prescribed dosage only. Never take more than the advised dosage. Look for information about who should not take the supplement. Find out if there are any health conditions, certain medicine interactions, or other factors when the supplement should not be used.
- Work with a professional. Look for the services of a trained and licensed herbalist or licensed naturopathic healthcare provider who has a lot of training in this area.
- Watch for side effects. If you have symptoms, such as nausea, dizziness, rash, headache, or upset stomach, reduce the dosage or stop taking the supplement. Get medical care if symptoms don’t decrease. Or if they get worse.
- Watch for allergic reactions. A severe allergic reaction can cause trouble breathing. If such a problem happens, call 911 or the emergency number in your area for help.
- Research the company whose herbs you are taking. Herbal supplements are not all made the same way. Choose a reputable manufacturer’s brand. Ask yourself:
- Is the manufacturer researching its own herbal products? Or just relying on the research efforts of others?
- Does the product make outlandish or hard-to-prove claims?
- Does the product label give information about the standardized formula, side effects, ingredients, directions, and precautions?
- Is the label information clear and easy to read?
- Is there a toll-free telephone number, an address? Or a website address listed so consumers can find out more information about the product?
- Is the product tested and certified by a third party company to make sure of quality, safety and effectiveness?
