Herbal medicines can cause dangerous side-effects

The new study by researchers from the University of Leeds reveals that most over-the-counter herbal products do not contain all of the key information needed for safe use.

Study details
In their study, the researchers examined several different brands of five commonly used remedies from pharmacies and health food stores in Britain to determine whether they provided safety and usage information on their packaging.

Research team performed the analysis prior to the implementation of the Traditional Herbal Medicines Products Directive (THMPD) in April 2011.

The different version of five commonly used herbal supplements the researchers surveyed included St John’s wort, Asian ginseng, echinacea, garlic and ginkgo, which were bought at two health-food stores, three chain pharmacies and three supermarket chemists.

Findings
After analyzing the products, the researchers at Leeds University’s school of pharmacy found that 51 or 75 percent out of 68 surveyed products were commonly sold over the counter with no safety warnings, their interactions with other medicines or side effects.

Further, 48 or 70 per cent of them were marketed as food supplements, despite their powerful effects, and mere three products contained sufficient information on risks and side-effects.

"Most of the herbal medicine products studied did not provide key safety information which consumers need for their safe use," researchers wrote in the study, published in the journal, BMC Medicine. "Potential purchasers need to know, in both the short term and the long term, how to purchase herbal products which provide the information they need for the safe use of these products."

Herbal remedies can cause harmful side-effects
Experts noted all of the products are generally safe, but can cause several adverse effects when combining particular herbal remedies with other medications or health conditions.

For example, St. John's wort, widely used to combat low moods, can decrease the effectiveness of birth control pills and warfarin, an anticoagulant.

Gingko, which is said to improve circulation and alertness, can cause allergic reactions and can also interact with antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drugs

Echinacea, often used to protect against colds, can cause severe allergic reactions and even Garlic, often used to lower high blood pressure, may interfere with drugs that treat HIV and can be dangerous in large quantities.

Asian ginseng, often used to boost the immune system, can be dangerous for diabetics as it can meddle with a person's blood sugar levels.

Professor Theo Raynor, from the University of Leeds, who led the study, said: “Consumers need reliable and comprehensive information when buying herbal remedies- information which tells them whether the remedy is suitable for them."

"Furthermore, pharmacists and doctors need to be made aware what herbal remedies people are taking so that their patients receive the best possible care."

A word of advise
He also advised consumers to be careful before buying any herbal product, urging consumers to look for the Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) logo, which means remedies have been approved by the Government.

The best advice to consumers is “buyer beware”. Herbal medicines should be taken with as much caution as any over-the-counter medicine because any substance that affects the body has the potential to do harm if not taken correctly.