Tuesday, July 31, 2001

Herbal remedies 'pose surgery risk'

Patients are being warned that herbal medications can increase the risk of serious complications during surgery.

The preparations can speed up or slow down the heart rate, inhibit blood clotting, alter the immune system and change the effects and duration of anaesthesia.

And scientists have found some preparations have an impact if taken up to a week before a patient goes under the knife.

Among the popular herbs studied were echinacea, gingko biloba, garlic, St John's wort and valerian - all widely-available in tablet form.

The researchers, from the University of Chicago, have published guidelines on when patients should stop taking herbal medicines in the influential Journal of the American Medical Association.

They hope that their work will encourage doctors to discuss the potential dangers with patients.

Source BBC News

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