What should women know about herbal therapies?

Women should be aware of herbal cautions and interactions, and seek pharmaceutical advice before taking an herbal preparation.

Herbal therapies have become increasingly popular in the past few decades – some sources indicate that more than 80% of the world population use herbs for health care. Before the advent of modern pharmaceuticals, women frequently used herbs as medicine for themselves and their families.

While pharmaceutical medications currently dominate the market, many people are beginning to understand that herbs also provide valid therapeutic benefits. In fact, many of today’s synthetic medications were derived from plant components.

Just like any chemical, herbs have the potential to cause bodily harm if used incorrectly. Patients should therefore be aware of herbal cautions and interactions before using an herb for medicinal purposes.

Women have used certain herbs for centuries to alleviate menstrual and menopausal ailments. Some of these herbal remedies have never been proven, while others appear in numerous scientific studies, which validate their use. Some herbs useful for women’s health include black cohosh, chasteberry (Agnus Castus), cranberry, evening primrose oil, and St. John’s Wort