Traditionally prescribed and used as an herbal treatment for health ailments ranging from obesity to digestive disorders, hoodia gordonii also carries risks, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Available as a pill or powder supplement in most local drug stores and supermarkets, hoodia products can cause minor side effects in some supplement users. Before starting a new herb treatment regimen, check with your doctor to determine your risk of adverse reactions associated with hoodia use.
Supplement Interaction
According to Drugs.com, a website focused on providing information on both herbal and prescription medication, hoodia gordonii can be harmful to patients receiving treatment for other medical conditions. For example, the website suggests that patients with diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a blood clotting disorder should not take hoodia-based products due to a risk of worsening symptoms. As the website suggests, if you are currently receiving treatment for any of the above disorders or diseases, consider an alternative method of treatment and not consume hoodia products of any kind.
Inaccurate Products
As more hoodia-based products are becoming available on the market, a concern that whether these products contain any amount of the herb is growing. According to the Dangers of Hoodia website, the possibility of manufacturers selling products that claim to have specific amounts of hoodia gordonii may not be entirely accurate. As the website suggests, these products lack any documented evidence of the exact dosage of hoodia within each product, and there is no scientific evidence available to determine how much of the herb should be consumed for the treatment of minor health ailments. As a result, the website suggests checking with your medical professional or licensed alternative medicine professional before choosing to use hoodia gordonii.
Dosage Misuse
Since there is an overall lack in dosage information regarding hoodia gordonii available as of the time of this writing, Dangers of Hoodia also suggests that most adverse reactions or side effects come as a result of herbal misuse. To limit the risk of overdose or herbal supplement toxicity, the website suggests that you err on the side of caution when taking hoodia and focus on lower dosages until further documentation on the herb is made available to the public.
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