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| ommended reading for everyone who cares about preventing or treating heart disease. |
| On the Safety of Herbs |
| To say that herbs are controversial is to make an understatement. Warnings about their potential toxicity abound. Is the user really in danger? |
| Foxglove, the source of digitalis, is a fatally poisonous plant, as is belladonna, also called deadly nightshade. A single seed of the castor oil plant, which must be cold-pressed to remove toxins from the oil, can kill a child. But no one recommends that these plants be brewed as teas or that anyone ingest poisonous berries or any plant known to be toxic. |
| Laxative herbs, such as cascara sagrada, should be taken in small doses and for a limited time to avoid diarrhea, bowel irritation and mineral imbalances. Some "diet" teas contain laxative and diuretic herbs and, although their labels seldom say so, they should be taken for short periods only. |
| Ephedra, a stimulant herb used in many allergy preparations, should not be taken by those with high blood pressure. Overdoses of ephedra by people seeking a legal "high" have caused heart attacks in young users. Anyone who suffers from high blood pressure, erratic heartbeat, a racing pulse or any symptom of heart disease should avoid products containing ephedra, Ma huang (its Chinese name), pseudoephedra or ephedrine. |
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