Since 1990, it is estimated that over 60 million people in the United States
have used alternative medical therapies at an estimated cost of well over $13
billion. It is also estimated that the number of annual visits to providers of
alternative medicine exceeds the number of visits to all U.S. primary care
physicians. Unfortunately, most patients who acknowledge using alternative
therapy never mention it to their doctors
Consumers of natural medicine should beware. However popular, accessible, and
seemingly harmless natural herbs and medicines may appear, they are not simple
fail safe substances. There are many ways in which herbal preparations can
complicate conventional medical treatment. This is especially true if you are
having surgery. Certain herbs could have an effect on coagulation, on the heart,
or on blood pressure. Others could have potential sedative effects, and still
others could alter electrolytes.
As you prepare for surgery, to protect your own health, be sure to establish
open communication with your doctor or healthcare provider. It is his or her
professional obligation to monitor therapies with potential or documented
toxicity, including herbal preparations. What complicates matters is that there
is no systematic labeling or preparation of natural medicines. It is thus very
important that patients planning to undergo surgery communicate with their
doctors about the nature and extent of the use of complementary alternative
medicine (CAM). It is especially useful if you can bring along any herbal
products you are using so that your provider can determine whether or not
continued use will pose a problem for your surgery.
Herbs and their potential effects:
Herbs that could affect blood pressure
- Black Cohosh
- Capsicum
- Celery
- Ephedra
- Fenugreek
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Hawthorn
- Horseradish
- Licorice
- St. John's Wort
Herbs with sedative effects
- Celery
- Chamomile
- Ginseng
- Goldenseal
- Hops
- Kava Kava
- Marijuana
Herbs that could affect coagulation
- Alfalfa
- Capsicum
- Celery
- Chamomile
- Fenugreek
- Feverfew
- Fish oil
- Garlic
- Ginger
- Ginkgo
- Ginseng
- Horseradish
- Kava Kava
- Licorice
- Passionflower
- Red Clover
Herbs with cardiac effects
- Black Cohosh
- Ephedra
- Fenugreek
- Ginger
- Ginseng
- Goldenseal
- Hawthorn
- Licorice
- Lobelias
