Herbs: A medication prepared from plants, including most of the world’s traditional remedies for disease. Most think of herbal remedies as products sold over the counter as “supplements”, such as saw palmetto extract or some type of ointment. However, many over- the-counter and prescription drugs are based on ingredients derived from plants, including aspirin and digoxin. Lab tests show that some herbal remedies are effective against illness. An Individual should use these drugs as carefully as prescription medicines, using caution in order to avoid overdose, interactions with other medications, and misuse. Herbal medicines are one type of dietary supplement. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants. People use herbal medicines to maintain or improve health. Many believe that products labeled “natural” are safe to use. This is not true as herbal medicines do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm. Certain herbs interaction with prescription or over-the-counter medicines can work well with other medicines but can also be dangerous. Before using herbal medicines, first get information from reliable sources and make sure to tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking. For Answers to any questions you may have please call Dr. Jimenez at 915-850-0900