So if an herbal remedy is nonsense and vitamins don't really work ,then...?!
Question: why is it that when a woman is using Birth Control she should not take St. Johns wort?And Why is it that some vitamins interfere with certain drugs?
Answers: why is it that when a woman is using Birth Control she should not take St. Johns wort?And Why is it that some vitamins interfere with certain drugs?
I believe its because st johns wort is an enzyme inhibitor of some kind. it inhibits the bodies ability to break down certain chemicals, so if we consume those chemicals they will have a much larger action on us because the body isnt actively breaking them down.
its not 'interfering' it is specifically 'acting' just like the other active component is.
the decision to classify which which one as 'interfering' is soley the decision of the person.
st johns wort is active. the affects it produces in the body are from changing the levels of chemicals in the brain itself.
personally, i dont believe either should be take for depression. sedating and numbing do nothing but mask symptoms.
nor do i think any female should try to interrupt their natural hormonal cycle, as it can evetually result in the need for a historectamy.
Most pharmaceutical drugs are based on naturally occurring active components in plants and herbs and the like, as well as from whats in animals and even humans.
Companies synthesize a synthetic version of a natural active component, and then patent it, much like patenting mother natures own original recepie.
and sometimes the naturally occuring plant or active component is made illegal.
pretty mean huh?
what people dont understand is that these things changing the levels of chemicals in our brains is not an amazing thing.
humans have been doing it for millions of years.
to change the levels of chemicals in your brain, just think about candy or puppy dogs or maybe even boobs :/
thinking thoughts changes what chemicals are in our brain, not the other way around.
Most drugs are formulated originally from plant sources and some plants interfere with other plants. St. John's Wort can deactivate Birth control pills.
you think that because st johns interferes with Birth Control that it must be "working" somehow? uh, no, its literally running interference - literally.
Gingko, for example, thins the blood by reducing platelet counts.....fish oil does the same by increasing the amount of eicosinoids.
There are many ways that medications can interact with nutritional supplements. but I suspect its beyond the scope of this forum.
if you have a specific example in mind, shoot me an email.
Herbal remedies have been used successfully for hundreds of years.
Nutritional Supplements are an excellent way to ensure you are getting enough of the daily nutrients when combined with an excellent diet.
Both need to be understood to be effective and of course consulting one's doctor is always recommended to ensure there are no reasons that you should not be taking a product such as interfering with a medication you are presently taking.
Most herbal remedies and vitamins don't clash with drugs but there are some exceptions.