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As an herbalist I am frequently asked about the safety of herbal remedies. Herbs are readily available in most health food stores and can be purchased without any kind of prescription, but as many people know, herbs are not necessarily safe for all people or all times.

Because they are effective, herbs can have a noticeable effect on the body. They can be sedating, raise or lower blood pressure, cause uterine contractions or stimulate the thyroid. Some herbs are laxatives, others are diuretic. Doctors worry about the effects some herbs have on pharmaceutical medications. They also worry about patients taking herbal supplements instead of life-saving drugs. All of which is to say, that although herbs are natural and beneficial, they also have the potential to cause harm. So how can you use herbal remedies for you or your family without putting your health at risk?

Avoid High-Risk Herbs

Most herbs you’ll encounter fall into the category of safe herbs; that’s why you’ll find them in your local health food store or as ingredients in popular herbal teas. However, some herbs can potentially exert more extreme physiological changes, putting you at risk for side-effects, complications and negative herb-drug interactions.

One such example is Ephedra, an herb sometimes used for weight loss. While it may be a good way to shed the pounds, it unfortunately also has the potential to cause death, and as such has been taken off the market in many countries. Herbs such as Belladona, Aconite, Poke Root and Wormwood have long been recognized as being toxic and should be avoided entirely.

In general, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with an herb before taking it. A good place to for information is The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Their overview of some of the more common remedies can alert you to potential safety concerns or any contraindications you should be aware of.

Use Extra Caution During Pregnancy

For pregnant women, the list of herbs to avoid is long and includes many remedies which are normally considered safe. During my own pregnancies, I was most comfortable with limiting herb use as much as possible, especially during the first trimester. In the last trimester I did take herbs such as Red Raspberry to help prepare for childbirth, but other than that I tried not to take anything. This was partly due to me being slight neurotic. Still, my recommendation to pregnant clients is to make sure that any herb consumed during pregnancy is on the approved list.

Nursing mothers also have to stay away from certain herbs, so if you are breastfeeding, do your homework before self-medicating with herbs.

Investigate Herb/Drug Interactions

Are you taking any kind of medication? Some remedies can interact with pharmaceutical drugs, making the drug either more or less effective. If you are on any medication, check with your doctor before taking herbs. It is also important to let your doctor know if there are any other supplements you are taking. Another thing to keep in mind is that it is never a good idea to change your dose of medication or substitute herbs for medication without medical supervision.

Know Your Dosage

As with other medications, the dosage of herbal remedies matters. Children need less of a remedy than adults do, adults need to get the right amount, and some herbs should not be taken for extended periods or long-term. If you are taking a store-bought tincture or capsule, follow the dosage recommendations given by the manufacturer. If your remedy has come from a local herbalist, be sure to get the dosage directions before using. When using loose herbs to make tea, a generally safe amount is one teaspoon of dried herb to one cup of water. Before taking any herb for extended periods, check with a qualified practitioner to make sure that’s okay.

See a Qualified Practitioner

Perhaps the best way of protecting yourself is to seek the advice of a qualified practitioner. I know it can be tempting to use one of the many excellent herbal reference books as your guide or decide to just rely on the suggestions of the person working in the health-food store, but neither of these are substitutes for a proper consultation.

Practitioners such as naturopaths and herbalists have studied herbal remedies extensively and can help you pick the right remedy for your situation. Herbalists can custom-blend remedies for you, suggest the right dose and provide you with high-quality, reliable herbal products. I particularly recommend consulting with a practitioner if you are pregnant, on medications, have complicated health situations, are using herbs with a child or want remedies for long-term use.

Using herbs is a wonderful way of improving your health and treating your body in a gentle and healing way. By keeping these guidelines in mind, you and your family can enjoy the beautiful gift of herbs without any risk to your health.

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