Are herbal supplements safe because they're natural?
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3 Answers
No. Herbal products can be pharmacologically active, are variably regulated, and interact with prescription drugs — St John's wort reduces the effect of contraceptives and many other medicines. Some Ayurvedic and traditional products have been found contaminated with heavy metals. Tell your doctor what you take.
Tell both practitioners everything you take. Interactions are real — St John's wort reduces the effect of many drugs, and several herbs affect bleeding risk and blood sugar.
Some traditional preparations have been found to contain lead, mercury or arsenic. Buy only from regulated manufacturers and avoid unlabelled products.
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