5 Potentially Dangerous Herbal Remedies
Jerrick KM Foo
September 14, 2010
Even in this modern generation where almost everything has turned scientific, many people still trust the effectiveness of herbal medicines to cure their ailments. Some herbal remedies are very widely used in all parts of the world, such as garlic that helps lower blood pressure and aloe vera which cures skin ailments. Some herbal remedies are approved and even recommended by doctors.
There are so many reasons why it is advantageous to use herbal remedies. The first advantage is that herbal medicines, even those commercially sold as tablets and pills, are guaranteed to be made up of all natural ingredients and a minimal amount of synthetic chemicals. You can also be sure that there will be no side effects and allergic reactions upon using them. They are also cheaper, effective and readily available.
However, you cannot just randomly take any kind of herbal medicines or even fresh herbs without a prescription from your doctor. Some herbal remedies are safe enough to consume such as green tea but this does not apply to all. Some herbs are effective but contain toxins and poisons which are harmful to the body. The following is a list of some of the herbs that have high poison content and need to be taken under medical supervision.
1. Senna
Senna is a popular ingredient in laxatives as well as in herbal diet teas that cause a person to lose weight by making frequent trips to the toilet. Doctors have already advised against using senna because aside from not being effective in burning fats, it also has a bad effect on the digestive tract.
Consuming large amounts of senna may lead to diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. It may also result to constipation as it is possible that bowel movement will be dependent on laxatives. Further consumption may even lead to a damage in an individual's intestinal walls and can even cause Pseudomelanosis coli that turns the intestines black.
2. Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an herb that is used as a remedy for impotence as well as an aphrodisiac. However, many medical practitioners warn against it because it causes anxiety and stomach problems. It may even increase the blood pressure and cause heart damage. This is because yohimbe can restrict the blood vessels in the body and can completely stop the blood circulation.
Yohimbe may also damage other vital organs such as our kidney and liver. It may also wreak havoc with the body's central nervous system. It can also cause fatigue and paralysis and in some cases, yohimbe led to death.
3. St. John's wort
At smaller dosages, St. John's wort may cause irritation of the skin, swelling of the face, loss of appetite and even photosensitization. St. John's wort is a popular remedy used by many people to relieve stress and depression. However, using this herb can also lead to high blood pressure, severe headaches and stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. It may also cause the skin to blister after being exposed to the sun.
People taking antidepressants, anti-blood-clotting medication, medicine for asthma, immune-suppressing drugs and steroids are strongly advised to avoid taking St. John's wort. Self medication is also greatly discouraged.
4. American hellebore
Potentially a dangerous herb by the sound of the herb's name itself, American hellebore is an herbal remedy used to lower the blood pressure, act as a sedative and slow the heartbeat. It is also used to treat fever, spasms and even epilepsy.
However, the American hellebore bear so many side effects. In fact, it has a very high dose of poison and is considered narcotic. An individual poisoned of hellebore will see symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, nausea and vertigo, colic, diarrhea, disturbed vision and heart attack. A patient may also have difficulty in swallowing and have convulsions and paralysis. Some cases of hellebore poisoning result to death.
5. Licorice
And lastly, the seemingly innocent licorice. Licorice is a widely used herb that is said to treat health problems such as skin ailments and alleviates peptic ulcers. However, licorice is found to cause swelling of tissues or edema and can also increase blood pressure.
Aside from that, licorice may also cause headache and lethargy and can also upset the stomach and cause diarrhea. Licorice, which is used to improve complexion, can cause facial puffiness as well as weakness and grogginess. Medical practitioners advise against the use of licorice for people with diabetes, edema, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease. People with severe menstrual problems and glaucoma are also discouraged to use licorice. Prolonged usage of licorice can lead to death.
Numerous Chinese herbal remedies can help improve your health, stamina and vitality. Learn some more effective herbal remedies from http://www.herbalremediescure.com.
There are so many reasons why it is advantageous to use herbal remedies. The first advantage is that herbal medicines, even those commercially sold as tablets and pills, are guaranteed to be made up of all natural ingredients and a minimal amount of synthetic chemicals. You can also be sure that there will be no side effects and allergic reactions upon using them. They are also cheaper, effective and readily available.
However, you cannot just randomly take any kind of herbal medicines or even fresh herbs without a prescription from your doctor. Some herbal remedies are safe enough to consume such as green tea but this does not apply to all. Some herbs are effective but contain toxins and poisons which are harmful to the body. The following is a list of some of the herbs that have high poison content and need to be taken under medical supervision.
1. Senna
Senna is a popular ingredient in laxatives as well as in herbal diet teas that cause a person to lose weight by making frequent trips to the toilet. Doctors have already advised against using senna because aside from not being effective in burning fats, it also has a bad effect on the digestive tract.
Consuming large amounts of senna may lead to diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramps. It may also result to constipation as it is possible that bowel movement will be dependent on laxatives. Further consumption may even lead to a damage in an individual's intestinal walls and can even cause Pseudomelanosis coli that turns the intestines black.
2. Yohimbe
Yohimbe is an herb that is used as a remedy for impotence as well as an aphrodisiac. However, many medical practitioners warn against it because it causes anxiety and stomach problems. It may even increase the blood pressure and cause heart damage. This is because yohimbe can restrict the blood vessels in the body and can completely stop the blood circulation.
Yohimbe may also damage other vital organs such as our kidney and liver. It may also wreak havoc with the body's central nervous system. It can also cause fatigue and paralysis and in some cases, yohimbe led to death.
3. St. John's wort
At smaller dosages, St. John's wort may cause irritation of the skin, swelling of the face, loss of appetite and even photosensitization. St. John's wort is a popular remedy used by many people to relieve stress and depression. However, using this herb can also lead to high blood pressure, severe headaches and stiff neck, nausea and vomiting. It may also cause the skin to blister after being exposed to the sun.
People taking antidepressants, anti-blood-clotting medication, medicine for asthma, immune-suppressing drugs and steroids are strongly advised to avoid taking St. John's wort. Self medication is also greatly discouraged.
4. American hellebore
Potentially a dangerous herb by the sound of the herb's name itself, American hellebore is an herbal remedy used to lower the blood pressure, act as a sedative and slow the heartbeat. It is also used to treat fever, spasms and even epilepsy.
However, the American hellebore bear so many side effects. In fact, it has a very high dose of poison and is considered narcotic. An individual poisoned of hellebore will see symptoms such as salivation, vomiting, nausea and vertigo, colic, diarrhea, disturbed vision and heart attack. A patient may also have difficulty in swallowing and have convulsions and paralysis. Some cases of hellebore poisoning result to death.
5. Licorice
And lastly, the seemingly innocent licorice. Licorice is a widely used herb that is said to treat health problems such as skin ailments and alleviates peptic ulcers. However, licorice is found to cause swelling of tissues or edema and can also increase blood pressure.
Aside from that, licorice may also cause headache and lethargy and can also upset the stomach and cause diarrhea. Licorice, which is used to improve complexion, can cause facial puffiness as well as weakness and grogginess. Medical practitioners advise against the use of licorice for people with diabetes, edema, high blood pressure, heart and kidney disease. People with severe menstrual problems and glaucoma are also discouraged to use licorice. Prolonged usage of licorice can lead to death.
Numerous Chinese herbal remedies can help improve your health, stamina and vitality. Learn some more effective herbal remedies from http://www.herbalremediescure.com.
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