Who should be providing information to patients about herbal medicine?
T Jurgens Statistics show that the use of herbal medicines in North America has increased dramatically over the past five to 10 years (1,2). Traditionally collected in the wild or sold in health food stores, herbal medicines are nowavailable virtually everywhere, including pharmacies and grocery stores, and by mail order and through Internet sources. Patients report using herbal medicines, along with or in place of conventional medication, for many reasons. Many consumers like to feel in control of their health care choices and are happy to be able to choose herbal products as an option (3). Patients with chronic conditions will frequently try an herbal therapy, in the hopes of finding a ‘cure’ with fewer side effects than their current therapy (4,5). Perhaps the most common reason for using herbal medicines is because of the perception that because herbs are “natural they cannot hurt, only help”.
