Herbs have been trusted for centuries to cure, prevent and treat disease. However, with the introduction of more conventional methods of medical treatment, experts have now concluded that folk remedies and ancient healing techniques are not all safe or effective. This is not to dispute the reliability of some herbs that have been validated by scientific studies. When searching for an alternative or complementary form of treatment for depression, it is imperative to seek the counsel of a licensed medical professional trained in herbal therapies. There are many fraudulent claims being made about herbal formulas that can be misleading or fatal for some users.
Side Effects
Symptoms of depression can be debilitating. Prescription antidepressants and similar drugs issued by a psychiatrist can have numerous unwanted side effects from loss of sexual libido to significant weight gain. The desire to find alternate methods of treating your depression is understandable, but in some cases, dangerous. Herbal formulas such as St. John's wort have been on the market for several years, and with a relatively high safety rating. However, combining this herb with prescription medications can lead to more serious health problems. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that herbal therapies may also increase side effects such as nausea, vomiting, anxiety, headache, confusion or the efficacy of the medication leading to an overdose.
Contraindications With Other Medicines
Contraindications with antidepressants and medications to treat disease are commonplace with herb use. Combining herbs with medications can cause the liver and kidneys to fail, cause irreversible damage to the heart and other major organs, or lead to death. The University of Texas at El Paso's website, HerbalSafety.com, encourages patients to distrust any herbal product making fabricated or false claims and to gain assistance in selecting quality herbal supplements from a reputable holistic practitioner or master herbalist. Herbs are natural, but not all of them are safe to use, especially in conjunction with prescribed medications. Be an educated consumer by studying all herbs and manufacturers before electing to use them.
Safety and Toxicity
It is important to remember that not all herbs are considered safe for human consumption. Not only are some herbs extremely poisonous, but additives, efficacy, potency, preparation and manufacturer reputation are also considerations. When selecting an herb formula, the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center reminds you that they are not considered drugs by the Food and Drug Administration and so therefore they are not closely regulated for safety or effectiveness. Concerns exist related to contamination, mislabeling and misbranding of herbal remedies, leaving the decision to use these products up to the individual. If you are suffering from depressive symptoms and wish to try a new approach to treatment, your doctor may be able to refer you to a qualified holistic practitioner.
Worsening of Medical Conditions
Taking herbal supplements for depression that is linked to chronic health problems or a compromised immune system may actually make the medical condition worse. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that antidepressants are not only dangerous to mix with herbal concoctions, but they may actually be canceled out by the potency of the herbs. For instance, herbs with antioxidant qualities work to eliminate foreign substances from the body. The prescribed medication is therefore considered a foreign substance and will not work effectively with these herbs. Some herbs will also limit the effectiveness of commonly used medications such as birth control drugs, cyclosporine, digoxin, indinavir, anticancer drugs and heart medications.
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