by TD Small

Created on: March 07, 2009   Last Updated: March 26, 2009

Everyday you hear a new health claim for another herbal supplement. While there is a lot of truth to many of these claims, there can be danger hiding within each of those pills. It waits until just the right moment and then pounces on its victims rendering them ill and sometimes even dead. Is this some diabolical plot against the human race planned by some mad scientist? You may not be a potential victim, but your spouse or child could be. There is a simple way to avoid this danger and have your herbal supplements too. Simply be aware of possible drug interactions between prescription drugs and herbal supplements.

When you pick up a prescription at your local pharmacy, your pharmacist gives you instructions regarding your prescription, likewise when taking herbal supplements you need to be aware of how the herb that you are taking may interfere with your current prescribed medications. Be sure to discuss your herbal supplements with your doctor the next time you visit with him or her. Until then, here are a few common herbal supplements that have been found to interact with some prescribed drugs.

*Black Cohosh relieves menstrual cramps, and menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, anxiety and depression. It increases the effects of anesthetics and sleeping pills and drugs taken to reduce blood pressure. It also increases the effects of estrogen based hormonal contraceptives and Tamoxifen. Black Cohosh can interfere with the absorption of iron supplements.

*Garlic is believed to lower cholesterol and blood pressure as well as reduce the risk of blood clots forming. Garlic has a natural blood-thinning property so don't take if you are on drug-thinning drugs such as Warfarin (Coumadin), Ticlopidine (Ticlid), Clopidogrel (Plavix), and Dipyridamole (Persantine). Talk to your doctor about taking garlic supplements if you are currently taking a daily dose of aspirin.

*Ginger relieves nausea and indigestion and is used for nausea associated with motion sickness and anesthesia. It has blood thinning properties that can cause spontaneous and excessive bleeding and should not be taken with Warfarin (Coumadin), Ticlopidine (Ticlid), Clopidogrel (Plavix), Dipyridamole(Persantine) and aspirin, also prescribed as blood thinners.

*Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) increases blood flow to the brain which can help with short-term memory loss, dizziness, ringing in the ears and headache. It's also used to treat leg pain caused by poor circulation. With it's natural blood thinning properties

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