Be aware of how natural supplements may effect your prescribed medications

Herbal remedies, vitamin and mineral supplements, aromatherapy, and other naturally based therapies are nothing new. Surprisingly however, despite them being around for a long time, it seems that there are still some users of alternative therapies that may not understand that although these remedies are natural they can still be considered medicines and need to be used with the same care that is used with prescribed traditional medicines.

When you are at a Doctor and they ask you what other medication you are using, do you ever consider also telling them about any alternative therapies you are using?

For example, say you were on a prescription to thin your blood, (Warfarin is a commonly used medicine for this) and you were also taking a large amount of Ginseng which is also a blood thinner, the two together could have a major impact on the condition of your blood, thinning it to a dangerous level. 

So if you were taking large amounts of Ginseng, would you tell the Doctor when he asks what other medication you are on? Or would you feel that it is herbal, a natural thing, so its not a medicine? 

Please be careful when taking natural supplements at medicinal/therapeutic levels , they are medicines, and need to be treated with the same care as your traditional pharmaceuticals.

RESOURCE LINKS

CHECKING FOR POSSIBLE HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
Potential Interactions Between Alternative Therapies and Warfarin
http://www.woodlandherbs.co.uk/acatalog/cautions.html
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 NOTE: The information in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and does not replace the advice of your health care provider.

Spotlight on essential oils: Peppermint

How is peppermint essential oil extracted?

Peppermint oil is extracted from the above ground plant and before the herb has flowered. The parts of the herb are then steam-distilled, yielding 0.1- 1% of essential oil.

What chemicals does it contain?

Peppermint oil has a strong menthol aroma, so it won't be a surprise to find out it contains menthol and menthones!

It also contains the following: cineole, methyl acetate, methofuran, isomenthone, limonene, b-pinene, a-pinene, germacrene-d, trans-sabinene hydrate and pulegon.

Where to buy?

Galaxy Aromatherapy sells peppermint oil from her online store, it can also be found in some supermarket shelves and chemists as well as health food stores.

Galaxy Aromatherapy also sells products made from peppermint oil, including foot soak crystals.

(C) Galaxy Aromatherapy: Peppermint Foot Crystals

What to do with it?

Diluted in a carrier oil, peppermint essential oil is useful in liniments/massage oils to relieve muscle pain.   

Cold compresses containing a small amount of peppermint essential oil can help reduce swelling, bruising, and headaches.

Steam inhalation containing a drop of peppermint essential oil is useful for reducing catarrh and assisting to relieve blocked sinuses, and for reducing the stuffy head feeling of colds and flu.

Peppermint oil helps to relieve travel sickness symptoms, and it also helps energise a person mentally.

There are many uses for peppermint essential oil, this post merely provides a glimpse into the amazing oil. What do you use it for? Feel free to post in the comments!



Caution: Although a non-toxic oil, the menthol component in Peppermint can be skin irritant and should be kept away from the eyes. Keep away from small children and do not use while pregnant. 


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 NOTE: The publication of information regarding alternative therapies, herbalism, aromatherapy, and the like, in this blog does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your health care provider.