The use of herbs to treat various diseases -- from colds to malaria -- dates from ancient history and is common to people in different parts of the world. These days in the Kingdom, herbal medicines are not only available in specific herbal medicine shops like GNC, Abazeer and local herbal shops - known as Atar - but also in normal nationwide pharmacies like Nahdi. According to London - based Dr. Michael McIntyre, former President of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists and Chairman of the European Herbal Practitioner's Association, an estimated 70,000 plants throughout the world provide medicinal use and about 500 are used on a regular basis in western herbal medicines. Dr. McIntyre spoke to Saudi Gazette by phone and said that though the development of herbal medicines is tremendous and new discoveries and cures are being found regularly, herbal medicines should be used with caution and treated sensibly. He remarked that people often believe there is no harm in using herbal medicines, but some combinations of treatments as well as the individual circumstances of a patient could cause side effects and possible harm. For instance, the quantity of the medicine used can often be a cause of complications. “It is clear that “natural” does not always equal “safe”. It is very important to take the advice of the herbal practitioner,” said Michael McIntyre,. Herbal practitioners explore the background of the illness, by studying the background of the patient and performing physical examinations and clinical tests. This allows the practitioner to prescribe the mixture of herbs accordingly; which system is sluggish and which will work.” “Some herbs and drugs interact,” he said. Indeed, herbs can change the way a body absorbs and breaks down drugs and affect other aspects of metabolism. For instance, the heart rate and blood pressure can be strongly affected if herbs and medicine cause similar reactions in the body simultaneously. A local herbalist in Jeddah Wazer Ahmed has fifteen years of experience in the field and said that most people use herbal medicines for blood pressure, diabetes and stomach problems. The most popular medicines are Sana Makki (Cassia Angustifolia), Mar Makki (Balsamodendron Myrrha), Loban (Styrax Benzoin), Siber and dried grapes (Vitis vinfera). “Though herbs are not harmful, when people come to buy any medicine I note a complete report of their ailment and then give the patient a prescription on how to use the medicine, because if someone doesn't have proper information about anything it can be harmful...not just herbs,” he remarked. “It is my advice to consult an expert on herbal medicine before consuming any,” he added. According to Dr. McIntyre, the following herbs are ones that users should exercise caution with, and not consume without the advice of an herbal medicine practitioner. Coltsfoot: In excessive doses this herb may interfere with blood pressure treatment. Its long-term use should also be avoided. Garlic: In medical doses this can cause a dangerous decrease in blood – sugar level if taken along with regular diabetes medication. Do not take it with the blood thinning drug Warfarin or other anti-clotting medication. Culinary intake of garlic is safe. Ginkgo Biloba: This herb should not be taken with Warfarin or other anti-clotting medication. Ginseng, Siberian: This herb can increase blood pressure, so it should be avoided by any one with a blood pressure condition. Goldenseal (Hydrasatis Canadensis): This herb can raise blood pressure. It is best to consult a qualified herbalist if taking “beta blocker” or other anti-hypertension medications, or medications to control diabetes and kidney diseases. Hawthorn: This herb may interact strongly with other medicines, especially those prescribed for heart conditions. Hops: This herb has a mild sedative effect and act as a depressive. Patients suffering from depression, breast cancer or other estrogens-responsive cancer ailments should not take it. Lily of the Valley: This herb contains cardiac glycosides and may interact with other heart-related drugs. It should only be taken when prescribed by a qualified medical herbalist. Liquorices: This herb should not be taken by any one who is anaemic or has high blood pressure. Schisandra: This herb should be avoided by those suffering from epilepsy or hypertension. St. John's wort: This herb increases the rate at which the liver breaks down drugs, so an allopathic drug taken alongside it may not be effective. Drugs that may be affected include Indinavir, Warfarin, cyclosporine, dioxin, theophylline and possibly oral contraceptives, as well as those used to treat HIV infections. St John's wort may also cause sensitivity to sunlight, though this is an unusual reaction if kept within normal dosage range. The U.K.'s National Institute of Medical Herbalists and the National Herbalist's Association of Australia keep registers of trained medical herbalists, and a doctor can also recommend a medical herbalist. In any case, one should always consult a medical herbalist before taking any herbal medicine, according to both doctors and herbalists.
