HomeHealth TopicsWellness LifestyleHerbal Medicine
Back to Wellness Lifestyle
Herbal Medicine
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Wellness Lifestyle

Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines are dietary supplements derived from plants used to maintain or improve health, though they require careful consideration regarding safety and interactions.

Overview

An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People use herbal medicines to try to maintain or improve their health.

Safety and Precautions

Many people believe that products labeled "natural" are always safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true. Herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

If you are thinking about using an herbal medicine, first get information on it from reliable sources. Make sure to tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Herbal supplements can interact with vitamins, prescription drugs, or each other; for example, ginkgo may increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners, and high‑dose turmeric can affect blood sugar or stomach lining. Review the specific herb’s safety profile and discuss it with your pharmacist or physician before adding it to your regimen.
Look for products that have a USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab seal, which indicates third‑party testing for identity, potency, and contaminants. Check that the label lists the botanical name (Latin), the plant part used, and the exact amount of active ingredient. Avoid products with vague “proprietary blend” statements or those that claim to cure diseases.
Pregnancy changes how herbs are metabolized, and many “sleep” herbs (e.g., valerian, passionflower, chamomile) lack robust safety data. Some can stimulate uterine contractions or affect hormone levels. It’s safest to avoid herbal sleep aids during pregnancy unless a provider explicitly approves them.
Yes. Herbs such as ginkgo, garlic (in large amounts), ginger, and St. John’s wort can potentiate warfarin’s anticoagulant effect and raise bleeding risk. Even “natural” teas or concentrated extracts should be avoided or used only under close medical supervision with regular INR monitoring.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss