Is "Natural" always ""Safe?"

As a naturopathic doctor, I have had the opportunity to interact with many individuals who believe that all natural substances are safe. Unfortunately, this perception is not true. In fact, some of the most toxic drugs used today are derived from natural sources. Examples include the use of a form of botulism, commonly used in Botox injections, and a component of the foxglove plant used in Digitalis.

While many herbal and nutritional preparations found on store shelves are, indeed, safe to use individually, problems may arise if these products are combined with prescriptive medications.

For example, I once met with an elderly gentleman who had recently begun taking Gingko to improve his memory. During his appointment with me, I learned that he was also on a variety of medications, including the drug, Coumadin. Gingko and Coumadin are both used to prevent blood clotting and should not be used together. This combination, in high doses, can lead to uncontrolled bleeding anywhere in the body, including the brain. Apparently, a supplement store employee, without any knowledge of this man’s preexisting medical condition, suggested he take this herb. Another natural product that would be contraindicated in this case is high doses of Vitamin E, as this vitamin also inhibits blood clotting.

On a separate occasion, a woman in her mid- thirties came to see me complaining of recent headaches. An examination revealed that she had high blood pressure. At the time, she was under a lot of stress and read that licorice pills might help relieve her stress. What she didn’t know was that in some people, licorice can cause blood pressure to elevate. Unfortunately, she was one of the few to respond in this manner. Happily, her blood pressure returned to normal after discontinuing the licorice.

These illustrations are not meant to scare you but rather inform you that there are potentially serious drug-herb-nutrient interactions that might occur. For this reason it is imperative that you contact a physician or practitioner who is specifically trained in the use of natural therapies. Reading information in popular books just won’t suffice. While most of the information is accurate, it is important to realize that by the time a book ends up on a bookstore shelf; some of the information may be two years old.

Recently, many well meaning but misinformed practitioners and supplement store attendants were advising the use of Kava-Kava for the reduction of anxiety. While Kava has been used historically for centuries and is extremely effective in the treatment of anxiety, it can have numerous side effects if taken in high doses and when combined with certain drugs, especially those that are toxic to the liver. There was such misuse of this herb by untrained individuals that on March 24, 2002, the FDA issued a warning that Kava may cause liver damage. Many countries are now considering banning this herb.

Historically, cultures around the world have used herbs as “medicine” with great success. However, natural substances, while safe and effective when taken in proper doses, may cause harm if taken without the supervision of a licensed practitioner trained in the use of natural treatments. Before taking any herbs or supplements, take the time to determine whether you have an underlying medical condition that may preclude your use of natural substances.

Dr. Lesa Werner is a Naturopathic Physician practicing at Eclectic Naturopathic Medicine in Newington, CT. www.drlesawerner.com