Using Herbs: Understanding Herbal Safety

When you’re new to herbs, many things can be intimidating. One of the most uncertain areas for many new herbalists is understanding herbal safety.

Today, I want to address this concern by discussing the safety track records of herbs compared to modern medicines and how to ensure that you’re using herbs as safely as possible for yourself and your family.

Herb-Related Deaths vs. Prescription-Related Deaths

Compared to many modern-day pharmaceuticals, herbs have a much better safety record. In fact, zero deaths are attributed to herbs each year, compared to over-the-counter and prescription medicines, which are responsible for many deaths each year.

In an article from mercola.com, Prescription Drugs Now Kill More People Than Illegal Drugs, Dr. Mercola cites a 2010 report in the Journal of General Internal Medicine that revealed the following information about modern medicines, adverse reactions, and death.

• Records spanning from 1976 to 2006 (the most recent year available) found that, of 62 million death certificates, almost a quarter-million deaths were coded as having occurred in a hospital setting due to medication errors.
• An estimated 450,000 preventable medication-related adverse events occur in the U.S. every year.
• Adverse drug reactions cost more than $136 billion annually (more than the total cost of cardiovascular or diabetic care).
• 1 out of 5 hospital patients are injured or killed as a result of an adverse drug reaction.

So, does this mean that herbs are safe and no problems will come from taking them?

Not exactly.

Herbs are plants, and all plants contain chemicals. These chemicals give herbs the responses they have in our bodies. These chemicals are very helpful and beneficial overall, but they can cause problems or unwanted effects in some situations.

Below is a list of 4 things to remember when using herbs safely for yourself and your family.

4 Ways To Make Sure You’re Using Herbs Safely

1. The Best of the Best

Reports have surfaced that reveal many dietary supplements contain poor-quality herbs or ingredients that aren’t listed on the label and can be harmful to health. Some of these supplements don’t even use the herb they claim to use but something else altogether.

Before you ever put an herbal supplement in or on your body, make sure it’s made from high-quality herbs (organic, properly harvested, and prepared) and from a trusted source. Learn more about choosing quality herbs and trusted sources here.

2. The Rule of “Whole”

Herbs are plants—whole plants. These plants are made up of hundreds of chemicals, and as more research is done on them, we’re beginning to learn how herbs work and how the medicine they contain stimulates specific responses in the body.

Unfortunately, the majority of studies are not on herbs as a whole but on the individual chemicals that stimulate the desired response in the body. We see how a particular plant chemical causes a particular reaction, which is then extracted from the plant to be sold as a supplement that millions can take to help themselves in that area.

This, my friend, is no different than modern medicines. This is how many modern medications began.

An example is aspirin. Salicylic acid was found in the bark of the white willow tree and had been used for thousands of years to decrease inflammation, dull pain, and thin the blood. This chemical was extracted and used to create the first aspirin, but in its natural form, it was an incredibly bitter white powder that upset the mucous membranes of the mouth and stomach. Over the years, the natural chemical from white willow bark was replaced with a synthetic version that was easier on the body, and modern aspirin was formed. (Source)

This method, whether in modern meds or herbal supplements, can cause significant problems for our health.

When a plant chemical is extracted and used alone, it doesn’t have the help of the other chemicals that originally accompanied it to act as buffers. A chemical alone, even if it is of plant origin, can cause unwanted or harmful effects without the buffering chemicals that were originally found with it in the plant.

If you want to use herbs safely, it’s best to use the whole plant in your preparations so that all the chemicals accompany each other. This will help minimize unwanted side effects and interactions with other herbs/medications you may also be taking.

3. Herb-Drug Interactions

For many years, herbs have been used alone to aid the body in healing, but in the last century, as modern medicine has become mainstream, we’ve seen that herbs and medicines can interact with each other.

The Herbal Academy teaches that there are two types of interactions that can occur between herbs and drugs: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic.

Pharmacodynamic interactions are when the drug and the plant’s active substances DIRECTLY interact. This most commonly happens between herbs and drugs that have the same or opposite effects on the body. They either work together to cause more of the same effect or work against each other.

Pharmacokinetic interactions change how we process the herb or drug (uptake, utilization, or availability of the drug). Plants containing tannins, fiber, saponins, resins, and bitters change how the body assimilates a drug. For example, plants high in resins tend to bind to other substances in the gut, decreasing their absorption in the body. They’re also known to coat the lining of the upper digestive tract, reducing absorption.

4. Herbal Side Effects & Toxicity

Side Effects

Because herbs contain plant chemicals and elicit a response from the body, they can sometimes cause mild side effects in some people. Although this is rare, it’s not unheard of. Thankfully, the most severe side effects reported from using herbs correctly are slight nausea, headaches, and sometimes rashes. This usually results from misusing the herb, as in too large of a dose, for a prolonged period, or because of plant sensitivity.

Click here to learn more about plant sensitivities and how to check for allergies to herbs.

Toxicity

Certain herbs can also be toxic when taken in large doses or for prolonged periods of time. It’s not that these herbs can’t be used, as they can under the guidance of an experienced herbalist, but when a new herbalist uses them, it’s best to find an alternative. These “toxic” herbs include arnica, lily of the valley, foxglove, mandrake, opium poppy, and poison ivy.

Another consideration when using long-term herbs is to assess them for chemicals that can be toxic to the body when taken for long periods.

Herbs like comfrey and coltsfoot, while great for short-term use, can compromise liver function if taken for too long due to the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) found in these plants. Other plants like senna and cascara sagrada (herbs with laxative effects) can lead to dependency when taken for too long. Another example is licorice, which can raise blood pressure in large doses over long periods. However, it is an excellent adaptogen when taken in small doses for long periods.

Long Story Short

Herbs have a track record of being safe if you use them responsibly. High-quality, whole-form traditional preparations can be used safely, but the most important thing to keep in mind is that knowledge and wisdom are key here. Taking charge of your health and your children’s health is a big task, but it should be taken seriously and responsibly.

Knowing about herbs or working with someone who does.

REFERENCES:

• Prescription Drugs Now Kill More People Than Illegal Drugs – Mercola.com
• 100 Years of Aspirin 
• Herbal Remedies For Children’s Health – Rosemary Gladstar
• Herbal Cold Care – Learning Herbs/Herb Mentor – Rosalee de la Foret
• The Herbal Academy