Always talk to your doctor before taking herbal supplements. Your doctor can tell you whether:
- Any herbs you take or are interested in taking have potentially dangerous side effects
- Specific herbal medicines are appropriate for you given your overall health status
- Any herbal medicines can interact with other medications you currently use
- You could achieve the same results you desire from herbal supplements by changing your lifestyle — for example, your diet or exercise program
Your doctor may be cautious about endorsing or embracing most herbal supplements. This is often because relatively few controlled studies have been done on herbal supplements. However, a growing number of doctors are working to better understand herbal therapies so that they can help you make informed decisions about your health care. If your doctor isn't comfortable discussing herbal supplements with you, ask for a referral to a pharmacist or specialist who is knowledgeable in this area.
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