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| a certain amount of scrutiny via the drug approval process, this data pales in comparison to the breadth of knowledge achieved by cultures that have depended on herbs for a millennium. The evidence of this is clear when the relative toxicity of herbal medicines is compared with conventional pharmaceuticals. |
| Nothing is without risk. Even the most benign substance, such as water, can be a deadly toxin if used inappropriately or if too much is taken. The relative benefit versus the risk of using a drug or an herb must be considered. The majority of the world's population relies on herbal medicines, yet there have been relatively few documented cases of toxicities due to herbal medicines. Most of the complaints associated with herbal use are mild, consisting of nausea, diarrhea or headaches. Occasionally there are more serious problems. In very rare situations, fatalities occur. Serious complications usually arise only when people take exceptionally high levels of a botanical or have a serious underlying condition prior to using the herb. However, when used within the appropriate dosage range, the majority of medicinal herbs available on today's market have a high degree of safety. One of the world's leading pharmacognosists (scientists who study the medicinal action of plants), Dr. Norman Farnsworth, research professor of the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy has stated that, "Herbal medicines do not present a major problem with regard to toxicity based on a review of the scientific literature. In fact, of all classes of substances reported to cause toxicity of significant magnitude to be reported in the United States, plants are the least problematic."1 |
| In contrast, adverse effects associated with phar- |
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