Herbs and supplements are being used by increasing numbers of people, often along with medications prescribed by their doctors. Many people think that “because it’s natural, it must be safe”. However, anything that has possible good effects, also has possible side effects. In fact, some herbs can cause sickness or death. Research on herb and supplement safety, effectiveness, and interactions is only now beginning.

It is important to discuss use of herbs and supplements with your health care provider as these products can often interact with each other or with other medications. This can be especially worrisome in patients who are taking blood-thinning medicines and those who are undergoing surgery.

Patient information sheets have been prepared for a number of commonly used herbs and supplements and for a few conditions, such as menopause, where members commonly use these products. It is also important to be aware that the quality of products on the market can vary widely and that no government agency regulates these products.

For more information on herbs and supplements:

Echinacea

Ginkgo

Glucosamine & Chondroitin

Saw Palmetto

St. John's Wort

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database
A useful tool that allows you to:

• Search for any natural medicine to yield detailed information about that product.
• Browse through a list of natural medicines.
• Check the effectiveness of a natural medicine if used for a specific condition.
• Search for a disease/condition to yield a list of effective natural medicines.
• Find interactions between drugs and natural products.