A real-life example on why you need to lookout for more serious problems when considering alternative remedies.

Fortunately, the accident and emergency doctor who treated her managed to establish why the accident had happened in the first place. Ginger is in fact a traditional remedy for vertigo, a type of dizziness often associated with inner-ear disturbances. But Clara didn't have vertigo. What she had was orthostatic hypotension, a sudden drop in blood pressure sometimes caused by high doses of blood pressure medication. Her GP reduced her prescribed dose and the dizziness went away.

Even though most home remedies are safe, people sometimes take them for the wrong reasons. Or they diagnose themselves when they really need a doctor. Some conditions are easy to recognize and treat at home. You don't need a battery of tests if your gums bleed for a couple of days or you get the occasional tummy upset. But it isn't always easy to tell what is minor and what isn't. That is why it can be important to check with your doctor before taking herbs or other supplements, or to tell your doctor what you're already taking before he or she prescribes any other medicine.

Supplements can alter the effects of both over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription drugs. For example, people who take vitamin E along with blood-thinning drugs may have an increased risk of internal bleeding. Even if a herbal tea or capsule seems completely innocuous - stinging nettle for arthritis, for example, or dandelion to lower blood pressure - if you're taking it regularly to treat a health problem, it's a good idea to let your doctor know.

Some herbs aren't as effective as people claim and you don't want to make the mistake of undertreating a potentially serious problem. Even if a supplement is safe and does just what the manufacturer says it does, it won't do you any good if you take it for a condition you don't actually have.

Even though most home remedies are safe, people sometimes take them for the wrong reasons.

Proceeding with some cautions Traditional cures have been used every day for thousands of years, so they probably work or people wouldn't use them. But there are always risks of side effects, interactions with drugs or simply using the wrong remedy. The home remedies in this book are supported by anecdotal evidence of their efficacy - and in many cases by scientific studies - and they have been carefully screened for safety by our medical advisors.Be sure to observe the 'Alert' notices that appear after certain remedies, and be aware that there are certain times when you must be especially careful, such as when:  

• You are pregnant Do not take any herbs, supplements or over-the-counter medications without first talking to your midwife or doctor. Many of these can affect the health of your baby, particularly if taken in large doses.
• You are taking prescription medicine Talk to your doctor about possible interactions between your prescribed medi-cation and any herbs, supplements or over-the-counter drugs recommended in this book.  But you should also tell your doctor about any other supplements or medications that you take at the same time - particularly if you have a chronic condition such as diabetes or heart disease.
• You know you are allergic to a food or medication People with allergies should be extra cautious: make absolutely sure that the substance to which you're allergic is not one of the ingredients in whatever it is you're proposing to take or use on your skin. For example arachis oil, found in some laxatives and skin moisturizers, is a purified peanut oil and potentially dangerous for anyone with a peanut allergy. Watch out for cross-reactivity between foods, plants and herbs as well.  In other   words, if you're allergic to shrimp, chances are you'll react to crab and lobster, too. And people who are sensitive to ragweed often react to eating melon, while those with birch pollen allergy may react to apple peel. 
• You have a serious health condition Pay special attention to the Should I call the doctor? panel found in each chapter. The purpose of home remedies is to help you to deal with everyday ailments and improve your overall health - not to mask serious conditions that require medical treatment.

• You are treating a child or infant Some herbs, supplements and home remedies are not appropriate for children or babies. Unless a remedy is specifically recommended for children, ask your GP or health visitor for advice before treating your children.

And buy over-the-counter products designed for children rather than for adults (children's paracetamol syrup, for instance, instead of standard paracetamol).

Print

Email