April 17, 2000 (San Francisco) -- If a trip to the grocery store has left you feeling awash in a sea of herbs and dietary supplements, it's no wonder. There are more of these products on the market than ever before, and it's often difficult to know which ones are safe to take.

Earlier this year, for example, researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) discovered that St. John's wort can interfere with AIDS drugs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned that this herb may also cause trouble for people who've had organ transplants, as well as those who take common drugs for heart disease, high blood pressure, depression, and certain cancers. Mainstream research on how other herbs might interact with medications is just beginning.

But experts say that following a few basic guidelines can help you use herbs and supplements safely. Start with this basic assumption: If herbs work, then they can interact with other drugs, says Varro Tyler, dean emeritus of the Purdue University School of Pharmacy and Pharmacological Sciences.

"Use a little common sense," he says. Don't use both an herb and a prescription drug for the same purpose. For instance, if you take kava kava to relieve anxiety, don't also take Valium. If you take ephedra as a pick-me-up, don't use it with caffeine. And remember, many herbs such as garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and feverfew can act as blood thinners. So you shouldn't take them with aspirin or other drugs that thin the blood.

What's more, you should inform your physician of any herbs or supplements you're taking. That way, there will be some documentation if there is a problem later on. And be sure to stop taking herbs at least two weeks before surgery, advises the American Society of Anesthesiologists. Some may interfere with anesthetics, while others can trigger changes in heart rate or blood pressure that can raise the risks of whatever procedure you're having.

To learn more about the safe use of herbs and supplements, check out these organizations, publications, and web sites.

• The American Botanical Council. This organization puts out a quarterly research journal in collaboration with the Herb Research Foundation (http://www.herbs.org) called HerbalGram. They also publish detailed booklets on popular herbs such as gingko biloba and echinacea. They are free to view on the web site, or you can order printed copies. The "Consumer Herbal Information Packet" includes the 12 most popular herbs and costs $18.50. For ordering information, go to http://www.herbalgram.org or call 1-(800)-373-7105.
• Also from The American Botanical Council is Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. This updated full-color reference costs $49.95 and includes clinical research and dosage information. It's based on scientific summaries compiled by a government-appointed panel of herbal experts in Germany. For ordering information, go to http://www.herbalgram.org or call 1-(800)-373-7105.


 
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