How do I handle a mutl-herbal pill regiment?
May 20, 2010 4:10 PM Subscribe
How do you handle a multi-herbal pill regiment and is it okay to do?
I already take turmeric for a skin disorder and it has completely gotten rid of the symptoms however I cannot stop taking it or they will return. I also want to start taking garlic, fish oil, and some other herbal pills and I'm wondering how people out there take a large regiment like this and if they've been successful or not. My physician for the most part seems fine with it, however I'm not sure how much experience he has with the herbal side of medicine. Some of pills say to eventually take 1 or 2 a few times a day, to me doing this with multiple pills seems a bit ridiculous but I would like to reap the health benefits if there is nothing wrong with doing so.
I already take turmeric for a skin disorder and it has completely gotten rid of the symptoms however I cannot stop taking it or they will return. I also want to start taking garlic, fish oil, and some other herbal pills and I'm wondering how people out there take a large regiment like this and if they've been successful or not. My physician for the most part seems fine with it, however I'm not sure how much experience he has with the herbal side of medicine. Some of pills say to eventually take 1 or 2 a few times a day, to me doing this with multiple pills seems a bit ridiculous but I would like to reap the health benefits if there is nothing wrong with doing so.
For supplements as basic and as culinary as turmeric, garlic, and fish oil - why not just incorporate them into your diet through food? It can't hurt, and could be delicious. (I'm thinking of my mother, who eats a horrifying but tasty concoction of flax oil, yogurt, raisins, shredded wheat, and tabasco sauce with every meal to get her omega 3s in).
As for other herbal supplements, there's where you should talk to the doc - drug interactions and so on are serious business.
posted by bubukaba at 4:48 PM on May 20, 2010
As for other herbal supplements, there's where you should talk to the doc - drug interactions and so on are serious business.
posted by bubukaba at 4:48 PM on May 20, 2010
is that they can be totally harmless and do something positive
A wise toxicologist once taught me that things have to either be "totally harmless and do nothing" or at least have some sort of side effect, otherwise it by definition can't have any actual effect.
I'd encourage modoriculous to consider what "health benefits" he or she is trying to get from herbal pills, when most of these things have, for the most part, never been studied. So there's no actual way to say a) what the health benefits are b) what the health risks are c) what the correct dose is to achieve those "benefits" and d) what the overdose is that may cause harm.
posted by gramcracker at 4:48 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
A wise toxicologist once taught me that things have to either be "totally harmless and do nothing" or at least have some sort of side effect, otherwise it by definition can't have any actual effect.
I'd encourage modoriculous to consider what "health benefits" he or she is trying to get from herbal pills, when most of these things have, for the most part, never been studied. So there's no actual way to say a) what the health benefits are b) what the health risks are c) what the correct dose is to achieve those "benefits" and d) what the overdose is that may cause harm.
posted by gramcracker at 4:48 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
I agree with gramcracker. They might work for you but it's unlikely much is really known about them with regards their effects on disease outcomes. Far far less (nothing?) is known about interactions.
posted by Fiery Jack at 5:30 PM on May 20, 2010
posted by Fiery Jack at 5:30 PM on May 20, 2010
Just eat garlic and fish every day.
Fish oil isn't an herb, it's food.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:57 PM on May 20, 2010
Fish oil isn't an herb, it's food.
posted by oneirodynia at 5:57 PM on May 20, 2010
IANYD but agree with the words of caution about herbals. Your doctor may be able to refer you to places where you can get herbals that have some additional levels of certification for quality - my mom does this for her primary care patients for fish oil.
I think increasing fish and garlic in your diet is wise and dietary changes are usually more effective than taking supplements in pill form. These specific items have a lot of good evidence behind them for beneficial effects so I think you are probably on pretty solid ground with taking them, obviously making sure your doctor is aware. Some people may not realize that even though you don't think of fish oil as a 'medicine', it has been found to thin people's blood a little bit, and so there are important reasons that some people should talk to their doctors before starting it (like grapefruit).
as for "other herbals", I am mostly wary of them, though without more information cannot comment.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:07 PM on May 20, 2010
I think increasing fish and garlic in your diet is wise and dietary changes are usually more effective than taking supplements in pill form. These specific items have a lot of good evidence behind them for beneficial effects so I think you are probably on pretty solid ground with taking them, obviously making sure your doctor is aware. Some people may not realize that even though you don't think of fish oil as a 'medicine', it has been found to thin people's blood a little bit, and so there are important reasons that some people should talk to their doctors before starting it (like grapefruit).
as for "other herbals", I am mostly wary of them, though without more information cannot comment.
posted by treehorn+bunny at 7:07 PM on May 20, 2010
My significant other takes fish oil, glucosamine and MSM, tumeric, valerian, calcium and a few other things for a back condition. It has been very successful for him, which is a godsend since neither of us has health insurance and before the vitamins and herbs he literally could not walk about 1 day out of every 3. Anyway, I would say, be careful about the quality of herbs and vitamins you're getting-- you can ask your doctor about some with extra certifications, that's a great idea. I will tell you that I prefer the NOW brand, but that's partially because I was raised on them, so do your own shopping around.
For my Significant Other, a round at bedtime and a round at night is the easiest way. The large numbers of pills multiple times a day may seem excessive, but remember, herbal medicines aren't distilled down to the useful stuff like manufactured medicine. So to get the anti-inflammatory effects of, say, tumeric, you're going to have to take a lot, quite regularly, because it's 1% whatever compound is anti-inflammatory and 99% whatever makes Indian food tasty.
Honestly, with all the counterfeit drugs on the market and the environmental hazards, etc., I think worrying excessively about the herbal medicines you are taking is kind of a waste of time. (Far better to spend that time worrying about your quality of life.) Most of the stuff you're taking is pretty innocuous-- but it won't hurt to look it up. So do your research, get a good brand, ask your doc, pop your pills as long as they help you, and be damned to the rest.
posted by WidgetAlley at 7:53 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
For my Significant Other, a round at bedtime and a round at night is the easiest way. The large numbers of pills multiple times a day may seem excessive, but remember, herbal medicines aren't distilled down to the useful stuff like manufactured medicine. So to get the anti-inflammatory effects of, say, tumeric, you're going to have to take a lot, quite regularly, because it's 1% whatever compound is anti-inflammatory and 99% whatever makes Indian food tasty.
Honestly, with all the counterfeit drugs on the market and the environmental hazards, etc., I think worrying excessively about the herbal medicines you are taking is kind of a waste of time. (Far better to spend that time worrying about your quality of life.) Most of the stuff you're taking is pretty innocuous-- but it won't hurt to look it up. So do your research, get a good brand, ask your doc, pop your pills as long as they help you, and be damned to the rest.
posted by WidgetAlley at 7:53 PM on May 20, 2010 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Thanks everyone, aside of course from the few typical and predictable pretentious responses that don't address the question at all or in any way whatsoever and I'm sure made the author quite satisfied with him or her self. Tip, next time don't answer if you don't have any valuable input or experience with the question. Thanks! P.S. Great entry WidgetAlley, that was more along the lines of the help I was looking for.
posted by modoriculous at 4:35 AM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by modoriculous at 4:35 AM on May 21, 2010 [1 favorite]
Have you thought to check with a naturopath for somethjing like this? They can muscle test for interactions and dosage and things like that.
I take many different supps and have found great benefit in doing so. What I do is bring them to work with me in a baggie and then as I go about my day, I take a couple with lots of water. That way, I get them all in.
posted by Mysticalchick at 5:43 AM on May 21, 2010
I take many different supps and have found great benefit in doing so. What I do is bring them to work with me in a baggie and then as I go about my day, I take a couple with lots of water. That way, I get them all in.
posted by Mysticalchick at 5:43 AM on May 21, 2010
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For instance, grapefruit interacts in odd ways with many prescribed medications and grapefruit is not something that most people would flag for that sort of scrutiny. You need an explanation from a trained, licensed expert when you're not sure about this sort of stuff, particularly when also taking prescription medications.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 4:23 PM on May 20, 2010 [4 favorites]