Use of Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies have been used since the beginning of recorded history to maintain health, prevent disease and address disease symptoms. Once the province of traditional herbalists and healers, the use of herbal remedies is becoming mainstream as more and more clinical research demonstrates their benefits, according to the Mayo Clinic. Use them under the supervision of a qualified health care professional.

Popular Herbal Remedies

The top five best-selling herbal dietary supplements in grocery and drug stores in 2009 were cranberry, soy, saw palmetto, garlic and echinacea, the American Botanical Council reports. Cranberry and its derivatives are used to avert urinary infections. Soy supplements are often used for menopausal symptoms. Saw palmetto is usually used for prostate health, while garlic is used to address health problems like fever and coughs, hardening of the arteries, osteoarthritis and hypertension. Echinacea is used to ward off colds and flu. Consult a qualified health care professional before using herbal remedies for any health condition.

Choosing Herbal Remedies

The Food and Drug Administration does not regulate herbal remedies as strictly as pharmaceutical drugs. When a drug goes to market, its manufacturer must file proof with the FDA that the drug is effective and safe. In contrast, manufacturers of herbal remedies and other supplements are self-policing. They are supposed to ensure that their products are safe, but they do not have to present evidence to any regulatory agency before the supplements are sold. The FDA typically polices supplement manufacturers only after their products have already gone to market. Don't rely solely on claims made by the manufacturers. Ask your physician which herbal remedies are appropriate for you.

Harmful Herbal Remedies

Some herbal remedies are harmful even when used in recommended doses, according to Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. For example, although herbal practitioners sometimes use borage to regulate metabolism, its leaves contain small amounts of a toxin that may damage the liver. Comfrey is likewise toxic to the liver. Sassafras, once widely used as a stimulant, pain reliever and astringent, contains safrole, a known carcinogen.

When to Avoid Herbal Remedies

The "Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine" advises that herbal remedies, even those that are normally helpful, can be dangerous in certain circumstances. People who are taking prescription or non-prescription medicines should not take herbal remedies unless otherwise advised by their physicians, because some may reduce their effectiveness or interact adversely. Herbal remedies should be avoided by women who are lactating or pregnant, because some of the supplement's compounds might be passed on to their infants. Those scheduled for surgery should likewise stop taking herbal remedies, unless otherwise instructed. Some may interfere with wound healing, blood clotting or the effects of anesthesia.