Self-Help Guidelines
The following points are helpful to consider before self-treatment with herbal medicines:
See Useful Links for more information about the National Institute of Medical Herbalists, herb-drug interactions, and information on endangered herbs.
- Do get a proper diagnosis before embarking on self-treatment, especially if you are suffering from a new symptom.
- If you are taking any orthodox medication, check with your GP, pharmacist or qualified herbalist about any possible herb/drug interactions before taking the herbal medicines.
- Keep your GP informed about any herbal medicines you are taking.
- Where possible, make sure the herbs you want to use are not endangered. Take particular care with Golden seal (Hydrastis canadensis), Beth root (Trillium erectum), American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius), and False unicorn root (Chamaelirium luteum). Check with the retailer that they have been cultivated and not taken from the wild. There are always other herbs that will do the job just as well.
- Find out about any lifestyle changes you may also need to make – even herbs will not compensate for a poor diet and inactivity!
- Give the herbs time to work. St. John's wort can take up to one month to have an effect. Many herbs can work subtly and slowly. Consider keeping a diary to help you monitor changes.
- If you do not feel any improvement after a few months then you may be taking the wrong herb/s for your condition or the incorrect dosage (but do not exceed the dosage indicated unless otherwise advised); or you may have an incorrect diagnosis.
- You will not usually need to take your herbs for longer than 3 to 6 months, but do be prepared for long-term treatment if you have a very chronic health problem. Long-term treatment may be better undertaken by a qualified herbalist.
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