Herbal medicine has serious risks, claim scientists
Scientists writing in the Postgraduate Medical Journal examined what they said were the only three clinical trials to have been conducted on the treatments.
They expressed doubts as to the skills of those who offer treatments specially formulated for individuals.
But, Dublin-based Chinese herbal medicine practitioner Michael McCarthy questioned the way the scientists had used available information to conclude that herbal medicine was ineffective. “It is using information in a distorted way,” he said.
“I do value research and I think research and practice go hand in hand, but sometimes what happens is that some people base their statements based on experience of the research and not the experience of the practice.”
The British authorities are reviewing the law in relation to the regulation of this field.
The team from the Peninsula Medical School, a partnership between Exeter and Plymouth universities and the NHS in Devon and Cornwall, stressed that there were many herbs with health benefits, but that studies on these tended to involve standard preparations or single herb extracts.
Dr Peter Carter said there were serious risks attached to tailored treatment.
These included herbs interacting negatively with each other — a much greater risk with tailored treatment than retail herbal remedies given the number of herbs used in preparations — as well as with prescription drugs.
Kerry GP Dr Bridget O’Brien, who has lobbied the Government on the issue said patients did not realise the potency of some alternative remedies.
She said it was not widely known that arnica gels and creams, used to treat bruising, and available in health food shops and pharmacies, could paralyse the heart if absorbed into the system.
Herbal remedies that work (as shown by clinical trials):
* St John’s wort: is effective in the treatment of mild to moderate depression.
* Hawthorn: helps with congestive heart failure.
* Devil’s claw: for muscular-skeletal pain.
* Echinacea: this herb can help treat the common cold.
* Valerian: Has been often used for treating insomnia.
* Aristolochia: Warning about Xie Gan Wan pills, which commonly contain aristolochia, which can cause kidney failure and cancer.
* Caterpillar fungus: Found to have a high bacterial count.
* Senecio: Britain ban proposed on products containing senecio plants, which cause liver damage.
