Negative drug-herb interactions (side effects as
result of taking drugs and herbs at
same time) have been over-hyped because of fear, lack of knowledge and sheer speculation. Although there are some negative interactions, research has also discovered positive interactions between drugs and herbal formulas.Drug-drug interactions are a much more serious problem than either herb-drug or herb-herb interactions. This is because drugs are high doses of single, active, unstable chemicals, while herbs contain multiple ingredients, some of which are natural buffers.
Chinese herbal formulas are even more broad, comprehensive, and balanced than single western herbs. (When I talk about western herbs, I mean many of
single herbs you can buy in stores which are part of
western herbal tradition... and were not part of
chinese herbal tradition.)
Which is Safer - Single Herbs or Herb Formulas?
Herbal formulas are safer. The more singular a substance is,
more likely it is to cause side effects and interact with other substances. Studies bear this out- a number of them indicate that drugs negatively interact more with single herbs than they do with herbal formulas.
From most dangerous to safest (in order) are these cominations:
Type of Combination Situation and Results
1. Multiple drugs: The result of one or more physicians prescribing you one or more drug; interaction range from discomfort to life-threatening. 2. Drugs + single western herbs: 1 or more physician-prescribed drugs + you buy yourself 1 or more single herbs 3. One drug alone: Can still have mild to strong side effects 4. One herb alone: Mild side effects are possible 5. Multiple single western herbs: You buy several herbs for yourself and they may interact, especially if
combination is not based on tradition or research 6. Drug + herb formula: Prescribed by both a western and Chinese-style physicians; based on research and guesswork. The results of such studies have been positive. The appropriate formula is often able to balance out
drug's side effects and/or boost its effectiveness 7. Single western herb + chinese herb formula: Again based partly on tradition and partly guesswork. Some unexpected interactions are possible but should be mild. 8. Personalized chinese herbal formula alone: Based on diagnosis, tradition, and research. There should be little or no unexpected interactions or side effects, and if there are,
physician can modify
formula to better suit you.
Our current habit of purchasing single herbs like ginseng and gingko (amateur self-prescription) is more dangerous than seeing an acupuncturist for a personalized chinese herbal formula. Did you know that at least 6 million people in
U.S. take ginseng singly? (Read more on ginseng) Also read number 10 in
next section...
In addition, when you take several drugs and several single herbs, there are many more potential interactions... that real-world situation is more complex than any of our research has investigated. So, it's a good rule of thumb to take as few drugs and single herbs as possible.
The safest therapy options are just about
reverse order of
list above.
These are not hard and fast rules. In some situations, multiple drug therapy is
best choice... I urge you to review your options with your western and chinese-style physicians, and together you can all make
best decision.