WHEN A GOOD THING MIGHT BE BAD FOR YOU

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Being close to the Earth, we often turn to Her for healing by using  plants. As a pagan and nurse, I read this article on the Mayo Clinic Newsletter with  scrutiny. The  article  in it's original form lists the warnings as a chart you may like to print out for your BOS. My personal comments are in italics to clarify the statements made, and I hope this information has been helpful. We often don't think about herbals because our use is practically second nature!

 Original Article:http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/herbal-supplements/SA00040

Herbal Supplements: How They Can Interfere With Surgery

You might not think to tell your doctor about the herbal supplements you're taking, such as the echinacea you take to fight off colds or the feverfew you use to prevent migraines. But think again. These and other herbal supplements can affect the success of a surgical procedure, just as over-the-counter and prescription medications can. Tell your doctor about any herbal supplements you're taking well before you have surgery. You may need to stop taking some herbal supplements up to three weeks before surgery to make sure they leave your system completely.

Here's a look at some common herbal supplements and how they can interfere with surgery. Keep in mind that other herbal supplements also may affect your surgery, so be sure to tell your doctor if you're taking any herbs that aren't on this list.

Herbal Supplement Possible Complications: 

 Aloe vera-  May cause increased intestinal muscle movement to digest food (peristalsis), may decrease effectiveness of water pills (diuretics) given after surgery. [Causes cramping and excessive urination.]

Bromelain -May cause bleeding or interact with antibiotics such as amoxicillin or tetracyclines [May render these medications ineffective or cause an interaction.]

Danshen -May cause bleeding [Acts like like an anticoauglant, much like aspirin.]

Dong quai -May cause bleeding [Acts like like an anticoauglant, much like aspirin.]

Echinacea- May interfere with immune functioning, may alter effectiveness of immunosuppressant drugs given after transplant surgery.

Ephedra- May cause abnormal heartbeat, may cause extreme high blood pressure and coma if combined with certain antidepressants and anesthesia.[That's why it's been removed from most OTC diet aids.]

Feverfew -May cause bleeding [Acts like like an anticoauglant, much like aspirin.]

Garlic- May cause bleeding, may interfere with normal blood clotting [Acts like like an anticoauglant, much like aspirin.]

Ginger -May cause bleeding [Acts like like an anticoauglant, much like aspirin.]

Ginkgo -May cause bleeding [Causes brain bleeding and possible clotting]

Ginseng -May cause bleeding, may cause rapid heartbeat, may cause high blood pressure [ Opinion differs among experts, it isn't worth the risk.]

Goldenseal- May cause or worsen swelling [By causing a nasty emergency condition called anaphalaxis ] and high blood pressure.

Kava -May enhance sedative effects of anesthesia [It's also found in some of the tobacco free safe smokes, so beware.]

Licorice -(not including licorice candy) May increase blood pressure[ The candy doesn't contain enough to make a difference, but an extract can.]

Omega-3 fatty acids- May cause bleeding if taken in doses greater than 3 grams a day [Natural blood thinner.]

Senna- May cause electrolyte imbalance [This is the main ingredient in many laxatives, especially 'chemical-free' or 'natural' ones.]

St. John's Wort- May increase or decrease the effects of some drugs used during and after surgery [It's a natural mild antidepressant and should be treated just like it's prescription cousins ]

Valerian- May prolong the effects of anesthesia [Natural sleep aid that can throw off the dosage of anesthesia used by the system, causing problems in post recovery.]

Valuable Links:

• Aloe (Aloe vera)
• Dong quai (Angelica sinensis [Oliv.] Diels), Chinese angelica
• Echinacea (Echinacea angustifolia DC, Echinacea pallida, Echinacea purpurea)
• Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)
• Garlic (Allium sativum L.)
• Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.)
• Ginseng (American ginseng, Asian ginseng, Chinese ginseng, Korean red ginseng, Panax ginseng: Panax spp. including P. ginseng C.C. Meyer and P. quinquefolius L., excluding Eleutherococcus senticosus)
• Glucosamine
• Omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil, alpha-linolenic acid
• Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens [Bartram] Small)
• St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum L.)