Abuse of herbal medication

[Fey]

A friend came to me saying her sleeping tablets weren’t working and she was under a lot of stress and couldn’t sleep. Was there something I could give her to help her sleep? Oh yes, I said and gave her a leaf to take as a tea (explained the lot) and then I gave her a plant to grow for herself.

She took it as instructed and had a good night’s sleep.

We were talking two days later and she said that last night she just knew she was in for a sleepless night so she took the herb AND her sleeping tablets!!! :scared: This just floored me and I explained about mixing herbs with medications, and especially those that do the same things.

Two days later she told me that she had the leaf on its own. Oh, but instead of an infusion, she decided to eat the leaf!!! :scared:

I felt like pulling my hair out! I’m glad I gave her a “safe herb”. I had to explain again about taking the herbs in the manner they’re supposed to be taken. I explained that some substances come out in cold water only, some in hot, some in alcohol and some can be eaten whole, as she did. But some are prepared in such a way that none of the plant matter should remain and that she was lucky this wasn’t one of them.

I had given her clear instructions on how to take it. It was understood that it was to replace the sleeping tablets, not to be added to them. She just totally disregarded everything I told her. I’m so glad it wasn’t one of the BIG herbs.

We are constantly given bottles of herbal preparations with instructions on how to take them. But how often are these instructions abused and then the herbal preparation is put through the ringer and declared dangerous?

[IdahoHerbalist]

What was the herb you gave to her?

What is an example of an herb that could NOT be taken as the whole plant and why? (By whole plant I mean the part that is intended for medicinal purposes as I know in some plants parts can be toxic while others are OK.)

[Dr. Patrick JonesHomestead Instructor]

IdahoHerbalist wrote: What was the herb you gave to her?

What is an example of an herb that could NOT be taken as the whole plant and why? (By whole plant I mean the part that is intended for medicinal purposes as I know in some plants parts can be toxic while others are OK.)

Some herbs need to be processed or aged to be safe. Cascara sagrada comes to mind but there are others.

Most herbs are fine when taking raw/plant form but they may be stronger than stuff that was dried, boiled or otherwise abused.

Don't use herbs or combine herbs with medications or use them during lactation or pregnancy without talking with your healthcare provider.

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