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Show 1 ' ipp (DdDimsmiDimnimg Imnteirestt Herbs may be safe in salads, but not as remedies, says USU professor Morin said although use of herbs may just be part of the natural movement, it is a potentially dangerous practice. Many herbs, such as oregano and cumin, are tested for safety as foods, but are not intended to be used as medications. The misguided ingestion of herbs may lead to drug overdose and possibly death. Morin said, based on her research and research published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there are a number of compelling reasons not to self-medicate with herbs: 1) Some natural herbs contain natural poisons: Herbal extracts and drinks made from hemlock, curare and deadly nightshade are some of the earliest known poisons. 2) We don't know enough about herbal teas to conclude they are safe. For example although nutmeg is a commonly used spice and jimson weed is an important source of certain drugs, when they are brewed into tea, both can be and have been toxic. Also, substances produced in the tea-brewing process may not have an immediate effect, but may build up to toxic levels in the body over time. 3) Self medication is dangerous: Although our ancient forefathers used herbs successfully, we have the benefit of modem medicine. Self diagnosis and self medication may keep you from seeing a doctor in time to catch a serious problem. 4) Practice moderation: Even wholesome foods such as spinach and cabbabe can lead to health !""'' if consumed in large enough quantities. Essential nutrients nu-trients such as vitamins A and D can also harm the body if taken in excess. 5) Everyone is different: Even painstakingly tested drugs can have adverse reactions on certain people because of genetic variability. What may cure one person may cause allergic reaction in another. Since herbs generally are not well tested, the chance for adverse reactions is greater than with tested drugs. Morin says Utah is one of the largest producers of herbal teas and capsules. This, along with her study indicating more than half the surveyed LDS households use herbal remedies, indicates Utahns need to be especially aware of the dangers of herbal medication. bv IVimis Itinkamp. Hah State University Man has been medicating himself with herbs since the beginning of time, and there are often mythical and magical attributes associated with them. However although many modem medicines have been derived from chemicals found in ancient herb remedies, people have also died from trying to cure their ailments with herbs. Unless you are willing to stake your life on trial-and-error experiments experi-ments you should be aware that self medication of any kind- is a dangerous practice. According to a study done by Dr. Janice Morin, assistant professor in Utah State University's College of Family Life, many people are taking this risk. In a study of 377 households of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, more than half used herbs as medicines "sometimes" or "often." These households, selected randomly ran-domly from Utah and southern California, used herbs without a doctor's directions to try to cure a variety of ailments, including cancer, ulcers, stomach problems, asthma, colds, flu and tiredness. Morin said. "Very few of the people, considered con-sidered themselves as having extensive exten-sive knowledge about the herbs they were taking. Half those surveyed rated themselves as knowing very little, and the rest said they knew nothing about the purported medical value of herbs," Morin said. |