How Safe Are Botanicals?
This question cannot be answered in isolation and needs to
be considered in light of a meaningful assessment of the potential
benefit, the risks of avoiding other "proven" therapeutic
approaches, the potential toxicity of other therapeutic interventions.
As the quantity and quality of scientific research regarding
botanicals increases, this information will be easier to find.
In the meantime, providers must be open to healthcare options
that meet the needs and desires of their patients. This will
likely include the judicious use of botanical dietary supplements
for their health- and wellness-related uses.
Note
on special populations
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| Note that the use of botanical medicine in special
populations, such as infants, children, pregnant or
lactating women, the elderly, and the critically ill
has not been systematically studied. (Nor has the use
of most pharmaceutical medicines been studied in these
special populations.)
As with most drug remedies, it is strongly recommended
that patients and their healthcare providers consider
potential risks and any anticipated benefits before
choosing to use a botanical medicine.
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This section ~ 15 min
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