Golden rules
- Dose & Form matter, whether its a Tea, Tincture or a Herbal Extract
- Herbs have multiple actions and tend to work across many systems in the body
- Consider the time you are taking your herbs and medications
- Inform your medical herbalist clinician everything that you take
- If in doubt, get supervision
- Find a Registered Medical Herbalist through The National Institute of Medical Herbalists
SSRI’s
SSRI’s tend to work on the P450 metabolic pathways, some herbs also run through this pathway.
Herbs may speed up or slow down how your body processes medication; that means some herbs may increase or decrease blood level effectiveness of SSRI’s
St. Johns wort shouldn’t be taken alongside SSRI medications
HRT & Contraception
HRT and the contraception influence the levels of estrogen or progesterone within the body, some herbs have phytoestrogenic properties as well
In the presence of health conditions, hormone protocols benefits from in-depth case history and guidance
Vitex has a strong effect on hormone balance and recommended with a professionally guided plan
Blood Pressure
There are some herbs that interacts with blood pressure aside from medications, they can raise and lower BP
Liquorice and Coffee increase, meanwhile Hibiscus and Garlic decrease
Professional guidance can help you choose the correct plant, in the right form and dose for you
Blood Thinners
Some herbs have Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant actions, guidance can ensure interactions are avoided.
Its best practice to have professional supervision alongside Warfarin
Heart Medications
Specialist supervision is needed with the cardiac glycoside medication Digoxin
Sleep & Anxiety Medications
Some herbs have actions that relax and calm the nervous system
Valerian and Passionflower are cautioned for being paired alongside other sedatives
Gentler options include Chamomile and Lavender as a Tea or Aroma spray
When To Get Supervision?
- Poly-pharmacy
- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- SSRI’s, HRT, Blood Pressure, Antiplatelet, Warfarin, Digoxin, Anticoagulants
- Liver and kidney conditions where eliminatory pathways are affected
- If in doubt, get supervision
You’re welcome to contact me, feel free to drop any questions into a email
What Working Together Looks Like
- Personalised support from a NIMH practitioner
- In-depth case history assessment, safe medication-herb reconciliation
- I can liaise with your GP and other health professionals
- Herbs will be chosen for your body constitution and to support your nervous system
- All herb-drug interactions checked on the Natural Medicine Database
“Right Plant, Right Form, Right Dose, Right Plan”