Herbal remedies have a deep-rooted culture in Nigeria, especially in more traditional communities. Herbal shops and vendors promising a cure for all forms of illnesses, from common flu to diseases such as cancer and diabetes, are a common sight on the streets and markets.
Such vendors advertise their concoctions from loudspeakers atop old cars, while others push herbal mixture-filled prams and carts through the streets. Although it is sometimes claimed that traditional and folk-remedy herbs are safer than modern pharmaceutical drugs, they are not without their risks. So the questions are raised: What cautions and recommendations should one take into account when considering herbal remedies?
Herbs have been credited with many therapeutic properties. Some are thought to help the body fight infection. Others are said to aid digestion, settle nerves, serve as a laxative, or help regulate the glands. Herbs may have both nutritional and medicinal value.
How Herbs are Taken
Herbs can be taken in many ways, such as in teas, decoctions, tinctures, and poultices. Teas are made by pouring boiling water over a herb. Decoctions, made from such things as herbal roots and bark, are boiled in water to release their active ingredients. Some people take something as simple or healthy as a vegetable smoothie they make themselves.
Unlike many vitamins and drugs, most herbs are considered foods and are often taken alone on an empty stomach. They can also be taken in a capsulated form, which can be more convenient and palatable. If you decide to take herbal remedies, it is wise to do so under professional guidance.
Traditionally, herbs have been suggested for such conditions as the common cold, indigestion, constipation, insomnia, and nausea. However, herbs are also sometimes used for more serious illnesses—not only as a cure but also as a preventive.
Some Cautions
Even though a herb may be widely viewed as safe, caution is advised. Never let your guard down simply because a product is labelled “natural“. Chemical compounds in herbs can change heart rate, blood pressure, and glucose levels. Hence, people with cardiac problems, high blood pressure, or blood sugar conditions such as diabetes must be especially cautious.
A Possible Dangerous Mix
Herbs can interact with medicinal drugs in various ways. For instance, they can magnify or reduce a drug’s effect, cause it to be eliminated from the body faster than usual, or increase the risk of side effects. If you take a prescription drug, including birth control pills, consult with your doctor before taking herbs.
Alcohol, marijuana, cocaine, and other mood-altering drugs can cause life-threatening reactions when mixed with some herbs. If you become pregnant while taking a herbal mixture, tell your physician and discontinue taking it until you have discussed it with him or her. Try to remember the exact dose and the length of time you have taken the substance.
Risk of taking Herbs without professional help
You may not really know what is wrong with you. Your regimen of self-medication may be wrong for your ailment, even if you have properly diagnosed it. Furthermore, such a program may delay more radical, but nevertheless necessary and appropriate, treatment. It may also conflict with drugs prescribed by a doctor—allergy medication, for example, or blood pressure medication. While these remedies may cure your minor ailment, they can also worsen other health problems, such as high blood pressure.
Please note that the information contained in this article is purely general information. Readers should consult a professional on health and medical matters.
