Folk medicine misuses some common plants: consequences

Many plants are widely used in folk medicine, but misuse of these plants can lead to serious health consequences.

In a medical program on the "Russia" TV channel, Russian professor of biological sciences, Ekaterina Baranova, said: "There are many plants used in folk medicine, and herbal medicine is considered an effective treatment for many diseases, but these herbs or plants must be used with caution, especially if a person is taking certain medications, as mixing these plants with medications may cause serious health complications."

She added: "Licorice, for example, is a well-known remedy for coughs, but for people who suffer from high blood pressure and take medications to treat these diseases, this plant is considered dangerous, as the substances it contains raise blood pressure levels."

Russian physician Alexander Myasnikov also said during the program: “The dandelion plant, also known as the royal crown, is one of the plants used in folk medicine, but it is not recommended to use it with iron supplements, for example. There are many medicines and herbs that are metabolized in the body on the same enzyme chains, and some herbs have an effect similar to some medicines and supplements, so an overdose or underdose of these substances may cause serious health consequences.”

Many medical studies indicate that some healthy foods can have harmful effects when taken with certain medications sometimes. For example, grapefruit juice is considered one of the juices that are useful for strengthening immunity, but acidic drinks can make statins taken by millions of patients at risk of heart disease less effective or even toxic. Green tea, despite its many benefits, can be harmful to patients who take medications for heart disease and high blood pressure such as warfarin, as vitamin K found in green tea disrupts the work of this drug in reducing the production of blood clotting factors in the liver, which may lead to clots.

Happynass Editor: So, the next time you’re tempted to dive headfirst into the world of “Mother Nature knows best,” remember: even nature’s toolbox comes with a warning label. Your medical condition and those pills you’re popping don’t always play nice with leafy potions. A sprinkle of caution today can save you from a whole buffet of complications tomorrow!

Source: Vesti + Agencies