A lot of people will be shocked to learn that the herbs they’ve been prescribed are actually a poison.
This is true even for the most common herbal remedies, such as tea and mint.
But when it comes to herbal medicine itself, you can be certain that the ingredients are safe.
For example, the Australian Government has put together a website with information about herbal remedies.
And in an article in the New York Times, researchers from the University of Sydney and the Australian National University reviewed studies on herbal medicines, finding that, even if a product contains chemicals, they are safe for use.
In other words, the researchers say, “it’s possible that a given herbal remedy can have no harmful effects.”
But are there any risks associated with using herbal medicine?
A number of health experts say there are.
One expert who spoke to ABC News, Dr. Sarah Farrar, said some herbal remedies can have potentially serious side effects, such the use of a plant that can cause kidney problems in people who are not otherwise at risk.
“They may cause liver damage, and they may cause inflammation,” Farrard said.
Another potential risk is that the herb may cause other diseases, including kidney failure, liver disease and pancreatic cancer.
Farrar added that the effects of herbs are not necessarily permanent.
“[They are] not going to be the same forever.
But, I think they’re pretty safe to use,” she said.
“If you do use them, you’re not doing them with great care.”
What are the side effects?
There are some known side effects associated with taking herbal remedies: headaches, dizziness, skin rashes and stomach pains.
However, Farrars said some of the more serious side-effects are rare.
She said: “There’s some very, very mild side effects where the people who have these have gastrointestinal issues, they have vomiting problems, they can have nausea, they get headaches and so on.”
But those people aren’t going to develop cancer, and it doesn’t seem to cause any long-term problems.
“But there are other side effects that may be more serious.
According to Farram, the best advice for people is to stay away from these remedies and don’t use them for longer than four weeks, even though they are not supposed to be taken more than two weeks.”
If you’re over the age of 60, you should just say ‘I’m not going anymore,'” Farrarp said.”
And that’s it.
“What do I do if I’m not comfortable with herbal medicine or find it harmful?
If you find that you’re uncomfortable using herbal medicines or that there are side effects to using them, the first step is to talk to your doctor.
He or she can advise you on what to do if you do experience any side effects.
Farrarm also recommends taking your herbal medicines with a doctor-prescribed medicine such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Then, if you feel the need to use more, try taking it with an anti-inflammatory medication like aspirin, naproxen or ibupropion.
If you need to stop using herbal remedies or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, Fairs advice is to check with your healthcare provider first.
The American College of Physicians says it is “not advisable to use herbal medicines in pregnancy or breastfeeding.”
In its own website, the College says it believes herbal medicines can be safe for pregnancy and that pregnant women should not use them.