Since ancient times, humans have consumed herbal remedies to control their ailments. Mexico has a large collection of them; However, did you know that there are interactions between herbal remedies and the medicines you consume? Here we explain it to you in a simple way Kambo.
Herbal remedies and their ancestral use.
Human beings have turned to herbal medicine since time immemorial to alleviate various ailments.
There are multiple written records of his employment; for example, in the Ebers Papyrus, Ayurveda and Atharva Veda, the book of the yellow emperor and various pre-Hispanic codices, and among them the use of Papaver Somniferum (poppy) and Cannabis sp for the relief of pain and other symptoms is documented.
Use of herbal medicine in various countries.
In contemporary times, herbal medicine is widely accepted.
3. Herbal medicine in Mexico: a cultural practice.
Herbal medicine is widely used in Mexico.
In a study published in 1999 by Taddel-Bringas in the Mexican Public Health Magazine, it was documented that 78% of Mexicans consider herbal medicine effective and 67% of Mexicans trust it.
A 2009 study by Covarrubias-Gómez reported that 96% of people with chronic pain consume some herbal remedy.
Mexican herbal medicine is as broad as Chinese.
4. What is most commonly consumed in Mexico?
In Mexico, the plants that are most commonly used for medicinal purposes according to both authors are:
Mullein ( Gnaphalium spp .)
Eucalyptus ( Eucalyptus spp.)
Peppermint ( Mentha spp .)
Chamomile ( Matricaria chamomilla )
Nopal ( Opuntia spp .)
Arnica ( Arnica montana )
Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis )
5. What is the problem with using herbal remedies together with patent medicines?
The specific drug interactions of various herbal remedies with patent medicines are currently unknown. In addition to this, on their own, herbal remedies can present poorly documented adverse effects: they lack clinical studies with scientific rigor for their marketing, which, on the other hand, are mandatory to market patented drugs.
6. Some examples of adverse effects of herbal remedies.
A. Valerian
Valerian is used to improve the quality of sleep. It is widely used in Europe with a good safety record; However, there are reports in the literature about liver alterations associated with the consumption of the plant in the form of infusions or tea.
Adverse effects in patients using valerian in large doses or for prolonged periods include tremor, headache, and cardiac disturbances.
Valerian has been associated with sedation (induced decrease in consciousness) so its combination with alcohol and medications such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates should be avoided.
B. Chamomile
Chamomile is used for its minor sedative effects, as a mild antiseptic (to prevent infections), and for its antispasmodic effect (medicines that control pain caused by sudden muscle contractions).
It has been reported to be effective in facilitating deep sleep.
Adverse reactions seen with high doses are greater: abdominal cramps, thickening of the tongue, feeling of suffocation, angioedema (painless swelling) of the lips and eyelids, diffuse pruritus (skin irritation that causes itching), generalized urticaria , airway obstruction (nose, trachea, lungs) and pharyngeal edema (inflammation of the throat).
There is a possibility that chamomile increases the effect of anticoagulants such as Warfarin and interacts with benzodiazepines, barbiturates and opioids.