Herb/Drug Interactions

Drug interactions are a fact of life.  While natural herbal remedies sound safe and soothing, they can have side effects and interactions that are quite serious.  Someone taking blood thinners and adds additional aspirin may develop problems, because aspirin is also a blood thinner.  This is also true if the person is using certain herbs such as ginkgo, garlic, salmon omega and Muira Puama.

There are also herb/drug interactions, which are relatively common unless patient, doctor and/or pharmacist are educated and informed of the possibilities.  Many doctors are familiar with the more common herbs, as are pharmacists.  However, they have to be informed that a patient is taking the herbs in order to help prevent serious interactions.

Another area that this may affect is kelp.  Kelp is full of natural iodine, and can have a nasty effect when taken with tricyclic antidepressants.  Blood pressure can jump dramatically.  If blood pressure is already a problem, then it can have serious side effects.

Kelp is used as an herbal remedy for low thyroid output.  It is also considered an ingredient in ethnic cooking, such as sushi.

Unless severe depression or other medical conditions are present, there are many natural choices for dealing with depression.  St. John’s Wort, rosemary, hops, jasmine and other plants may be useful to deal with minor to moderate depression.  As mentioned before, make sure your doctor and/or pharmacist knows everything you are taking.  If you are using an herbal ointment, it is best to mention that, too.  The skin is the largest organ in the body, and what you put on it is absorbed into the blood stream.

On page 4 of my new e-book, Herbs for Human Health, you will find helpful information on the plants that may ease depression.  There are descriptions of the various herbs starting on page 21, including those helpful in minor to moderate depression, as well as anxiety and insomnia.  Page 39 is the beginning of recipes to make at home for this purpose.