The promises are out there.

St. John's Wort helps mild depression and anxiety.

Kava gives a calm feeling and can enhance mental activity.

Ginkgo biloba improves brain functions like memory and alertness.

Feverfew is used for its anti-inflammatory properties and is helpful with migraine headaches and arthritis.

Asian ginseng is used by people suffering from chronic fatigue and depression. Be aware of the active ingredients in the ginseng you use.

Ma Huang is used in Europe, generally under a physician's direction, to treat colds, asthma, and hay fever. In the United States, it is used for weight loss but may cause heart attacks, strokes, seizures or death.

Garlic has many uses. It has bacteria-killing capabilities; it lowers blood pressure and high cholesterol levels, reduces clotting activity, and is used for bronchial and pulmonary infections.

The American Medical Association estimated that in 1997, adults in the United States spent an estimated $3.5 billion on herbal medicines.

With this increased use, comes a problem that could have serious consequences for you. Some herbal remedies have no side effects or show no interactions with other drugs or remedies. But some do, and that is the problem.

One in five people who take prescription medications, also take herbal remedies, high-dose megavitamins, or both. An estimated15 million people who take herbal medicine may be at risk for potential adverse interactions between their prescription medications and these products.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, about 25 percent of Americans who consult their physicians about a serious health problem use an herbal or non-conventional therapy, but only 70 percent tell their doctor about what they take.

"Because you don't need a prescription for an herbal remedy, you might forget to tell your doctor that you are taking herbal medicines, what they are and how often you take them," said Teresa Klepser, clinical pharmacist at the University of Iowa Health Care Complementary and Alternative Medicine Clinic.

"Medical science is just beginning to research how drugs and herbal products interact. They have come up with findings you need to be aware of, particularly if you are going to have surgery," she said.

The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) notes several herb-anesthesia interactions caused unexpected and undesirable effects. You should tell your physician and your physician should ask you about all herbal, dietary or other over-the-counter preparations, as well as prescription medicine you take.

Most pre-surgical patients are advised to discontinue the use of prescription and over-the-counter blood thinners such as Coumadin, aspirin, ibuprofen, and Vitamin E, two weeks prior to elective surgery. With that warning, several herbal remedies should be included as well. (This is not a complete list.)

• St. John's Wort and Kava may prolong the sedative effects of anesthesia.
• Ginkgo biloba, Feverfew, and Garlic may increase bleeding.
• Asian ginseng may cause increases in blood pressure and heart rate.

If you have a health-related question, or to make an appointment, call UI Health Access - 800- 777-8442 or 319-384-8442.

More information:

• www.mothernature.com

Listed above is a Web site that offers additional information on this topic. University of Iowa Health Care does not sponsor or endorse these sites, or guarantee the accuracy of the information contained on these sites. These links are here for general information only, and should not be used for personal diagnosis or treatment. If you have any questions, please contact UI Health Access.  

Some common side effects of: (This is not a complete list.)

• St. John's Wort - gastrointestinal disturbances, allergic reactions, fatigue, dizziness, confusion, dry mouth, photosensitivity.
• Kava - sedation, painful twisting body movements, rash.
• Ginkgo biloba - bleeding.
• Ma Huang - hypertension, insomnia, nervousness, headaches, kidney stones.

(American Academy of Family Physicians)

Don't mix these:
(This is not a complete list.)

• Ginkgo biloba with aspirin, warfarin and other blood thinners.
• Ma Huang with caffeine, decongestants, stimulants.
• St. John's Wort with antidepressants.
• Kava kava with sedatives, sleeping pills, alcohol.
• Ginseng with warfarin.

(American Academy of Family Physicians)

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