Question

Part B - LO 2, Explain What Constitutes an Herbal Supplement and What Special Precautions Are Indicated for Its Use

Herbs, defined as "a plant or plant part used for its flavor, scent, and/or other health-related properties," exist on the market by the hundreds.

Which statement about herbal supplements is true?

A) Herbal supplement ingredients are standard between brands and within the same brand.

B) Because herbs are plant-based, they are safer options than prescription medications.

C)Many herbs interact with prescription pharmaceuticals.

Answer 1

Herbal supplements are the products that are derived from plants or from their seeds, berries, flowers, roots or leaves. It is commonly available in the form of oils, tablets, ointments, teas, liquid extract, bath salts etc. Aloe vera,flax seed, peppermint oil, ginkgo, tea tree oil, turmeric, neem, eucalyptus etc are some examples.

SPECIAL PRECAUTIONS

Patients who are taking aspirin, warfarin or clopidogrel should be careful before taking herbal supplements since the interaction can result in bleeding.

Kidney and liver patients should not use supplements as it can enhance further damage.

TRUE

Many herbs interact with prescribed medications. Some herbs interact with medicines and can cause serious adverse effects.eg: garlic, grapefruit and turmeric have blood-thinning properties. So when it has taken along with warfarin, clopidogrel or ecospirin , it inceases the blood thinnig properties and results in bleeding.

Herbal supplements might not be safer at all time. It can cause some illness and serious side effects in the body. Many people take ginger to ease nausea,motion sickness and joint pain. but proonged use can results in irregular herat rythms, low BP, bleeding

Standard Ingradients can be same but every individual manufacturar add an additional ingradients to make brand identity