How do I know if it's safe to use 2-3+ liquid herbal tinctures?

Question

Thanks

Answer 1

It is fine to use 2-3 herb tinctures together on any given day. They will not often interact with each other, and will more likely have a synergistic effect (this has been proven scientifically).

Whether or not you are taking the correct herbs for your specific condition is another subject all together, and I didn't think that was your question.

I have spent 24 years as an herbalist and an herbal educator, and there is an art to combining formulas for sure. There are several great suggestions for reference material above, but isn't it a shame that there isn't a professional herbalist on every corner to consult with like there are chiropractors? The problem is that herbalists aren't licensed. I can prescribe herbs in my practice under my acupuncture license, but you can't find many Western herbalist who can legally prescribe. Therefore, you are left asking the clerk at the health food store, looking it up in a book, or here on Answers.

Hope this helps!

Answer 2

There are many guides available on amazon.com which will show you common herb interactions. Generally, most herbals are safe--they are far safer than highly refined pharmaceutical drugs. However, interactions can sometimes amplify the effects of two herbs or an herb and a drug.

For example, cumadin (used as a blood thinner and literally as rat poison too) should not be taken with garlic because they both thin the blood. The garlic can amplify the effects of the cumadin, which a doctor has to carefully calibrate.

Answer 3

the German Kommission E (like our FDA here in the USA) published a wonderful book on herbals about 7 or 8 yrs ago & you might be able to find the informaion online or the book at your library-- or thru an interlibrary loan . if you really like herbal medicine I would recommend the book/ monographs for your purchase... They studied herbs (many we know & many that are less common) and talk about interactions with other herbs as well as interactions with medications. When I bought my book it was about $75. as I said you may be able to find the information online now as it's been out a while.

If you can't find that, there is an herbal PDR but I find that not to be very helpful IMO. It mostly just tells you about the herbs themselves, but not about interactions w/ other herbs or medications.

Answer 4

You really should be on an herbal website instead of here. Herbs can be very dangerous and you need true answers. No guarantee here.