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Safety Guidelines in Natural Health

HealthPost 003

Public Education, Health, and Safety

 FIGHT THE CARELESS USE OF DANGEROUS  HERBS

by Lori Anderson Bunge
Health Journalist

                PLEASE FIRST READ OUR LEGAL DISCLAIMER

I  do not consider toxic plants to be "medicines."

Most plants that have become, over many hundreds (if not thousands) of years, "medicinal" have become labeled as such by cautious, careful, and successful usage. Ancient people watched the effect that natural grazing patterns had on animals VERY CLOSELY.  They figured that if the plant did not harm, for example,  the rat or mole, (who was so much smaller that human beings,) then it probably would not kill human beings.  

Understandably, on  the whole, the good ancients tended to avoid  human testing of unknown substances or possibly dangerous plants.  

Please remember the vital point that those that the art  of Natural Health is a NURTURING and COMFORTING art and should never be used to do harm to anyone.  Please consider, very carefully, the words of the ancient Greek physician HIPPOCRATES:

"...DO NO HARM..."

We will be posting some interesting historical information about the Greek physician Hippocrates in the near future at WellLore.

One that utilizes health care skills of any kind to harm  is not a real care provider.

The following list in my article was excerpted based on information shared at the holisticbird.org website.  According to HolisticBird.org, "the  following list was put together  by Dr. James Duke, formerly chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Medicinal Plant Resources Laboratory. According to HolisticBird.org, 
Dr. Duke  got  his list from the FDA's unsafe herbs list, from his own research, and from Dr. Varro Tyler's 'Honest Herbal'. The 'PDR for Herbal Medicines' concurs with most of these determinations."

According to Holisticbird.org, "cautions  are for the herbal and essential oil form of the plant.  When used homeopathically,"  the same evaluation may not apply" to some of the herbs listed herein, (although the accuracy of this  fact has not been determined.)

Unknown, uncommon, or stange herbs should never be used.  Some herbs should only be used under the care and supervision of a licensed physician.

As with some prescription drugs (like morphine) each herbal medicine falls within what I have dubbed as The Natural  Medicine Safety Scale.  Herbal Medicines, as with Prescribed Medications and Over-the-Counter Non-Prescribed Medications, fall within a "Spectrum of Safety," meaning some herbs are as follows:

1.  VERY SAFE

2.  SOMEWHAT SAFE

3.  LIMITED USE -can be very dangerous if misused

4.  DANGEROUS

5.  EXTREMELY DANGEROUS,  TOXIC, AND LETHAL.

Please wisely note the herbs which are known to be toxic and stay completely away from them!

In addition to the following research material excerpted for educational use only  from holisticbird.org, we shall post future educational and research finding about unsafe herbs here at WellLore.  Check back regularly in addtion to reading my article!

THE FOLLOWING LIST IS NOT EXHAUSTIVE, BUT FOR ILLUSTRATIVE PURPOSES ONLY 

Please bear in mind, again, that this list was excerpted from a Natural Bird Care site;  the application towards humans is obviously not exactly the same, but can provide insight as to necessary precautions.

Dangerous and/or Toxic Herbs List

from Dangerous Herbs List
partial excerpt from
 HolisticBird.org

According to holisticbird.org, the following herbs may be dangerous if used and/or misused.....

"Aconite: very toxic. It is poisonous and should not be used without medical advice. There is no antidote. One mg. can kill a horse. It can be absorbed through the skin."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Aloe:  fresh juice helps heal minor wounds and burns. Taken internally it is a violent purge if the the whole leaf is used. The inner leaf latex is the purgative. Juice made from just the gel is safe."

(LIMITED USE)Aloe has traditionally been limited to external use only. It has been reported that aloe should be limited to topical use except by a competent healthcare professional, and then with added precaution

"American hellbore (black and green): Internally violently narcotic. Symptoms of hellbore poisoning include salivation, nausea, vomiting, colic, diarrhea, weak heartbeat, vertigo, ringing ears, disturbed vision, coronary arrest. Green hellebore is a cardiac depressant...black hellbore is a cardiac stimulant. Applied locally, the fresh root is an irritant."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Angelica: Is carcinogenic and mutagenic, especially in the presence of sunlight."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Arnica: taken internally is an active irritant which produces toxic gastroenteritis, nervous disturbances, pulse rate changes, muscular weakness, increased blood pressure. May be used externally if there is no danger of ingestion."

Arnica is usually limited to topical use.

"Autumn crocus: Lowers sexual excitement (probably because ite causes nausea, intestinal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and sometimes death.) Lethal dose is about 65 mg in humans, but 7 mg has been proven to kill."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.!

"Bayberry: Causes cancer when injected. Bayberry wax is a sensitizing irritant."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Bloodroot: Internally causes burning in stomach, intense thirst, paralysis, vomiting, faintness, vertigo, vision problems."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage.

"Blue cohosh: Toxic to the heart muscle and may harm intestines. Seeds are poisonous. Powder is strongly irritating to mucous membranes."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Broom: Slows and weakens heartbeat. Toxicity symptoms similar to nicotine poisoning: circulatory collapse, irregular heart beat, nausea, diarrhea, vertigo, headache, paralysis of respiratory and motor centers, convulsions, death."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Coltsfoot: Is used for coughs but contains alkaloids that cause liver cancer."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Comfrey: Contains allantoin and the alkaloids consolidine and symphytocynoglossine. Concentrations as little as 0.5% of the diet have caused cancer in rats."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Deadly nightshade: Contains alkaloids hyoscyamine, atropine, and hyoscine. Properties are sedative, narcotic, and act on the central nervous system. Small doses stimulate and large doses paralyze. Belladonna poisoning manifests within 15 minutes of ingestion."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Eyebright: 10-60 drops of the tincture can induce mental confusion and violent pressure in the eyes with lacrimation, itch, redness and swellings of the margins of the lids, dim vision, photophobia, weakness, sneezing nausea, insomnia, polyuria. "

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage.

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Foxglove: Symptoms of digitalis poisoning include nausea, diarrhea, stomachache, headache, irregular heartbeat and pulse, tremors, convulsions, and death."

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage.

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Hemlock: Symptoms of lethal dose: paralysis of tongue, head pressure, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, central paralysis - first feet and legs, the buttocks, arms, them swallowing and speech. Death ensue through central respiratory paralysis. 

According to holisticbird.org, "Socrates suicided on this herb."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Jimsonweed: People have died trying to get high on Datua. Hallucinations, irrigular heartbeat, elevated blood pressure, delirium, dilatation of pupils and convulsions are some of the symptoms. Overdose is usually fatal."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Juniper:  Not toxic in tiny doses used to flavor gin." 

Has been used  to remedy Urinary Tract Infections. Most recommend that it be used in miniscule amounts for 1 very small dosage.  

"Small repeated doses may cause convulsions and kidney damage. Other internal symptoms are pain in or near kidney, strong diuresis, albumin and blood in kidneys, purplish urine, accelerated heartbeat and blood pressure." 

Germany's Commission E lists it as an "approved herb."  Should be used only in tiny, tiny  amounts, if at all, for one or at the most 2 tiny, tiny doses.  It should not be used by children, and should be used by adults  only with the pre-approval and supervision of a doctor.

(LIMITED USE)

CONSULT WITH INFORMATION FROM GERMANY'S COMMISION E REGARDING JUNIPER.

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage.

"Licorice:  Alleviates peptic ulcers but causes edema (swelling of tissues) and increases blood pressure. Large doses over extended periods of time are toxic."

Very diuretic.  Can dangerously waste vital potassium and minerals, causing depletion and extremely dangerous deficiency.  According to some experts, people have become seriously ill eating  excessive amounts of real licorice candy.

CONSULT WITH INFORMATION FROM GERMANY'S COMMISION E

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage.

"Life root: Eases pain of childbirth but can damage liver because of the presence of the alkaloid senecionine."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Lobelia: It's deadly. In normal doses produces dilation of bronchioles and increased respiration but overdoses cause respiratory depression, sweating, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, coma, and death."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Mayapple: Mandrake is toxic regardless of whether it is from Europe or America. The European version damages the heart whereas the American version damages the intestines...."  

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Mistletoe: Ingestion of berries and leaves cause disruption of heartbeat and eventual death."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Pennyroyal: The essential oils consist of 85-92% pulegone and are toxic causing severe liver damage in relatively small amounts. The FDA recognizes pennyroyal TEA as GRAS (generally recognized as safe) if used as a beverage." 

There are others who are very skeptical.

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Pokeweed: Has no known good effect. Children who have eaten the berries have died. Narcotic effects have been observed. Is used internally in chronic rheumatism but is not therapeutically useful. It acts as an emetic and cathartic because it is extremely toxic."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Rue: Used as an insect repellent, causes rash, is an acro-narcotic poison if taken internally, is an irritant externally from handling the foliage, flowers or fruit. The oil is a dangerous abortifacient (causes abortions)."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"St. John's Wort: Causes shedding of wool in sheep, swelling of face, skin irritation, loss of appetite, photosensitization. Is also a tranquilizing action in humans.  

(LIMITED USE)

Should be used for only a short period of time, if at all.  

Doctor supervision is prudent.

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage. Doctor supervision is prudent.

"Sassafras: Less than a teaspoon of the oil causes degeneration of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Safrole, the chemical constituent in Sassafras is forbidden by the FDA from use as flavors or food additives because it is a known carcinogenic."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage. Doctor supervision is prudent.

"Sweet flag: Oil of calamus causes heart and liver damage and cancer in animal studies."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Tansy: Oil is quite toxic and should be used only with extreme caution. Ten drops can be lethal. When this report was written, Tansy was prohibited for botanical dealers and could be sold as a dried herb by mail. Symptoms of internal tansy poisoning include rapid and feeble pulse, severe gastritis, violent spasms, and convulsions."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Wormwood: Is a central nervous system depressant. Acquired its reputation as a subtle poison when it became the principal flavoring ingredient in a 136 proof alcoholic beverage called absinth. Practically every civilized country in the world banned the preparation or consumption of absinthe.. Habitual use or large doses cause convulsions, insomnia, nausea, nightmare, restlessness, tremors, and vertigo."

MAY BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS.

"Yohimbe: (LIMITED USE) Used as a aphrodisiac, it causes a tingling sensation in the genitals. It dilates the blood vessels of the skin and mucous membranes and lowers blood pressure."

Has limited value; some believe it should not be used at all; and doctor supervision is an absolute requirement.

Some herbs should only be used, if at all, by herbal experts familiar with their safe usage. Doctor supervision is prudent.

The above list of herbs and the opinions about actions was referenced and excerpted in part  for educational use only  from HolisticBird.org, who is solely responsible for it's content.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  REMEMBER, ANY HERB, (EVEN PRESCRIPTION DRUGS) CAN BE DANGEROUS, AND EVEN THOUGH CONSIDERED GENERALLY SAFE BASED ON  HISTORICAL USAGE, CAN BE DANGEROUS IF OVER-USED, MISUSED, ABUSED, TAKEN WITHOUT PRUDENCE, PRECAUTION, AND DUE CARE, OR USED WITHOUT NECESSARY DOCTOR SUPERVISION AND/OR PROPER PRE-EDUCATION.  TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS OR NEED GUIDANCE ABOUT ANY PRESCRIPTION DRUG, HERB, VITAMIN, MINERAL, DIETARY SUPPLEMENT, OR WITH REGARDS TO ANY MEDICAL CONDITION YOU MAY HAVE.

WHEN IN DOUBT, FIND IT OUT, OR THROW IT OUT!

 

PRIMARY REFERENCE: 
HolisticBird.org. 

WellLore 
WELL LORE LEGAL DISCLAIMER:  The above Dangerous Herbs List has been referenced for fair, educational, and non-commercial  use only. The opinions expressed here are opinions only. Any contributors are not responsible for the use or misuse of any advice or information provided. Statements or recommendations  have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Contributors are not qualified to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. All responsibility for the use or application of any suggestions taken from these pages is wholly upon and at the discretion of the individual choosing to use it."  WellLore does not claim authorship or ownership of the Dangerous Herb List. Reference is intended for non-commercial and non-distributive use only.  Not to be sold or used for commercial use.  Please reference  HolisticBird.org should you have any questions or concerns about the list, or when when referencing the list for fair and educational usage.

HEALTHPOST 001 WELL LORE'S HELPFUL CULINARY HERBS & SPICES

HEALTHPOST 002   Safety Guidelines in Use of Herbs

HEALTHPOST 003   holisticbird.org DANGEROUS HERB LIST

HEALTHPOST 004  HISTORICAL HERBS, NATURAL ANTIBIOTICS, AND IMMUNITY DEFENSE

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