Most of us would consider supplements to be safe to add to our diet. I have been taking them for years, along with using certain herbs, and roots. However take heed, if you have certain medical conditions it may not be safe to take supplements. There are a host of medications that may also pose safety issues with supplement use. Always check with your physician before taking supplements.

St. John’s Wort is a supplement many people take for depression, anxiety, and difficulty sleeping. As in the case with drugs, supplements have side effects. Some side effects of St. John’s Wort are headache, nausea, dry mouth, and dizziness. It also causes problems with certain heart medications, birth control pills, and antidepressants.

Another supplement that helps anxiety and insomnia is Kava. If you have liver or kidney problems stay away from Kava, it can cause liver damage. Drinking alcohol or taking sleep enhancing drugs can be dangerous with Kava use.

Ginkgo is touted to be the supplement to improve memory. It is also believed to help circulation. mental function, and motion sickness. A major side effect of ginkgo is it can thin your blood and start bleeding. That is definitely threatening to anyone taking blood thinners.

It has been said by some that rubbing oil from the Arnica plant on the skin eases pain from bruising along with swollen joints and aches. Others claim taking arnica relieves constipation. Beware that eating the herb can raise your blood pressure, cause a fast heartbeat, and shortness of breath. It may also cause damage to the liver, bring coma, or death.

Ginger is something I take every day. I drink ginger root tea and fresh ginger is a staple in my kitchen. People have used ginger to relieve nausea post surgery, chemo, and motion sickness. It’s also been known to treat joint pain and arthritis. Ginger is another herb that may cause problems with blood clotting, heart rhythms, blood pressure and blood sugar.

I work hard to keep my immune system strong, one of the herbs I use to treat a cold is Goldenseal. At the first sign of a cold I start taking a combo of Goldenseal and Echinacea, until symptoms subside. It has also been used for constipation, eye infections, and cancer. But like the previous plants and herbs we have discussed, goldenseal has side effects. It can affect heart rate, blood clotting, and lower your blood pressure.

I always keep an Aloe plant in my home. If I burn myself or have a wound, I break off a piece of the plant and apply the gel inside to the area. It eases the discomfort and treats the area. Taking aloe gel by mouth can cause abnormal heart rate, kidney problems, and lower blood sugar.

Ephedra also known as ma huang, is a herb that has been used in China and India for thousands of years. It is widely used to treat colds, coughs, and headaches. Recent use includes weight loss and increasing energy. Using ephedra may lead to heart problems, strokes, and cause a rise in heart rate, and blood pressure. Although it can still be found in some teas, the FDA has banned ephedra as a dietary supplement.

We are obsessed in this Country about looking and staying young. Taking Ginseng has been used by many to slow aging, treat diabetes, boost immunity and sex drive. Some side effects of ginseng are a drop in blood sugar, and blood clotting interference.

I recall menopause vividly. The night sweats and hot flashes I experienced nearly drove me crazy. It was so embedded into my memory, I chose to write a short story about my experience. It was my very first blog nearly a year ago. Titled, The Sisters Pause it told the story of my menopausel journey Not wishing to take a medication to help my symptoms, I started using Black Cohosh, I made tea with it as well as took it in capsule form. It was effective in diminishing my symptoms. Anyone with liver problems should not use Black Cohosh, it could cause inflammation or liver failure.

Another kitchen staple for me is fresh garlic, I have recently started growing it. It is believed to be effective in controlling high blood pressure, and treating cold symptoms. It has been shown to lower cholesterol as well. But because of its blood thinning properties, it should not be used with those on blood thinners.

Licorice root, yes licorice is a root, is used to treat coughs, stomach ulcers, infections, and sore throat. Side effects may be increase in blood pressure, abnormal heart rhythm, and kidney disease.

Stinging nettle is a plant used to help allergies, arthritis, stones of the kidneys, and bladder, and urinary track infections, (UTI’s). Others have used it to combat dandruff. If you have heart or kidney problems, you should not use stinging nettle. It may lead to water retention as it makes the body hold on to water.

The supplement Feverfew, is widely taken to prevent migraines. It has also been used to treat allergies and arthritis. But feverfew may cause a problem with blood clotting. People with heart disease and blood disorders should not use it.

The overall message here is if you have health conditions, or take any medications, talk with your medical provider before you take a supplement. It is better to be safe than sorry!

Peace and Blessings