Mixing herbal remedies could harm health

The inquest into the death of a man in Ireland has highlighted the dangers of combining herbal products with medication.

Cormac O'Sullivan, 21, died from cardio-respiratory failure caused by drinking Kratom tea mixed with sedatives and muscular pain relief drugs. Kratom tea is marketed for its relaxation properties.

Coroner Dr Brian Farrell warned that herbal products should be used with great caution, and not in combination with other medications.

"Cormac's tragic death emphasises the need for prudence when using herbal substances. Buying them on the internet doesn't guarantee their quality or content," Dr Farrell said.

Regulated herbal products help consumers avoid risks from poor manufacturing standards and missing consumer information.

However, consumers are still at risk if they do not follow usage instructions, as they could incur an adverse reaction when mixing the product with other medications.

For instance, St John's Wort, a popular herbal anti-depressant, may interact with many prescribed medicines, including the contraceptive pill and immunosuppressant drugs.

Ginkgo biloba, promoted as a memory enhancer, can interfere with the action of anesthetics.

So it is always best to consult with your doctor before taking them, especially if you already have an existing medical condition and/or already taking medication.

Unlicensed herbal products may not even contain the listed ingredients - and may contain other, harmful ingredients.

Indeed, there are have been also been cases where herbal remedies have been found to contain drugs to make them effective.

Only recently, health authorities warned the public against a natural sexual supplement that was laced with Viagra.

And in April this year, the UK Medical and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority (MHRA) warned of a natural pain reliever for arthritis available online and by mail-order which was laced with an antihistamine, chlorphenamine.

If you buy herbal remedies it is best to look for one which are registered with the MHRA. These carry a Traditional Herbal Registration (THR) symbol on their packaging which means they "meet the required standards relating to its quality, safety, evidence of traditional use."

However, the MHRA also states, "the products themselves do not necessarily work in the way the manufacturer claims."

This article was published on Thu 9 June 2011