David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
I have posted this sort of caution previously but felt it worth a thread of its own. Before starting to take any alternative supplement or remedy (herbal, natural, homeopathic, naturopathic, etc.), please bear in mind:
1. that most claims for these herbal remedies or supplements have never been confirmed in adequately controlled studies and 99% of the time when NIMH or a similar agency does an adequate study they find minimal or no benefits;
2. that many of these remedies can have potentially serious side effects including but not limited to serious allergic reactions;
3. that many of these remedies interact poorly with prescribed medications (e.g., St. John's Wort can weaken the effectiveness of birth control pills) and for this should never be taken without consulting your doctor;
4. that "health food supplements", "natural remedies", "herbal remedies", "homeopathic remedies", etc., are not regulated in the way that prescription and common over-the-counter medicines are, and in both the recent and more distant past there have been numerous reports of contaminants that have caused serious health-threatening problems such as liver damage or death
Bottom line: Always ask your doctor first!
1. that most claims for these herbal remedies or supplements have never been confirmed in adequately controlled studies and 99% of the time when NIMH or a similar agency does an adequate study they find minimal or no benefits;
2. that many of these remedies can have potentially serious side effects including but not limited to serious allergic reactions;
3. that many of these remedies interact poorly with prescribed medications (e.g., St. John's Wort can weaken the effectiveness of birth control pills) and for this should never be taken without consulting your doctor;
4. that "health food supplements", "natural remedies", "herbal remedies", "homeopathic remedies", etc., are not regulated in the way that prescription and common over-the-counter medicines are, and in both the recent and more distant past there have been numerous reports of contaminants that have caused serious health-threatening problems such as liver damage or death
Bottom line: Always ask your doctor first!
