Nikki,
Thank you for the references requested. Your points about drug interaction
are well put. There's a tendency to think that herbs are "just plants"
and perfectly natural and benign. My response to this idea is that so is
foxglove, which is deadly unless pharmaceutically processed into digitalis,
and given in an appropriate dose under professional supervision. Another
example - a source of protein, not a medication - is black bean, also
toxic unless processed, which was done for thousands of years by Australian
Aboriginal people in North Queensland. in a process taking days.
Proper history taking, proper dosage, a brand with quality control, and
a skilled practitioner are needed as much for herbals as for other
medications.
Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA
IBCLC cohort of 1985.
(Just received IBLCE exam results and I'm recertified for another 5 years.)
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Nikki Lee <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sat, Dec 17, 2016 at 12:34 AM
Subject: Re:
Dear Lactnet Friends:
I am concerned when folks think that herbs are safe because they are
natural, and readily available. I would love to keep them readily
available, just used wisely. Taking herbs as medicine because someone else
suggests it carries risk.
When folks go to the grocery store or the drugstore here in the US, they
find many different brands of fenugreek. Unlike Germany, there is no
standardization among brands. One brand might contain no herb at all, sold
to make money. Another brand might contain leaves; another, roots and
stems.
Taking herbs as medicine, i.e. 3 capsules 3 times a day) instead of a
dietary adjunct, deserves the same respect as taking prescription
pharmaceuticals; that means a skilled prescriber to take a history, and
recommend the right dose in the right amount for the right person. In my
region, there are licensed herbalists, folks with education about herbs.
https://www.sharecare.com/health/herbal-supplements/
what-drugs-foods-interact-fenugreek
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23472485: reporting minor adverse
effects for trigonella
One woman was taking it as medicine (different to taking as food) and
started hallucinating within 2 days because it interfered with the action
of her thyroid medication. This is one case, and a rare reaction. But who
knew??
One the other side, this study suggest a lack of side effects:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5050441/
This new study looks at fenugreek in the treatment of diabetes:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27733237
A diabetic mother who takes this herb could be disturbing the medication
regimen set up by her physician: how do we deal with that, when considering
that lactation also has an impact on sugar metabolism in the mother?
Another new study looking at the herb's impact on blood sugar and lipid
levels:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27496582
This study showed varying degrees of toxicity. . . .in mice.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27773753
This study says, " the consumption of fenugreek should be avoided for
persons having peanut and chickpeas allergy because of possible
cross-reactivity as well as chronic asthma." https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.
gov/pubmed/27498339
Herbs should be treated with the respect they deserve.
warmly,
On Fri, Dec 16, 2016 at 12:57 AM, Virginia Thorley <
[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Nikki,
>
> Could you provide some references for your interesting post, below? That
> would be very helpful.
>
> Virginia
>
> Dr Virginia Thorley, OAM, PhD, IBCLC, FILCA, GD Counselling
> Private Practice IBCLC
> Cohort of 1985
>
> Nikki Lee wrote:
>
> Date: Thu, 15 Dec 2016 03:02:17 -0500
> From: Nikki Lee <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: Fenugreek risks
>
> Dear Lactnet Friends:
>
> Fenugreek in food is far far different than taking it as a medication, i.e
> 3 capsules 3 times a day.
>
> Fenugreek can interfere with absorption of medications from the gut.
>
> Fenugreek can increase the effects of herbs or medications that reduce
> blood sugar and those that act as blood thinners, including aspirin and
> nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
>
>
> Fenugreek may interact with acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, agents that
> decrease blood potassium levels, agents that suppress the immune system,
> albumin, antiarrhythmic agents, anticancer agents, antidepressant agents
> (monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)), antifungals, anti-inflammatory
> agents, antiobesity agents, antiprotozoals, antiulcer agents, aspirin,
> cardiac glycosides, cholesterol-lowering and triglyceride-lowering drugs,
> corticosteroids, diuretics, gastrointestinal agents, growth hormones,
> hormonal agents, iron, laxatives, mineralocorticoids, neurological agents,
> pain relievers, progesterone, propranolol, sodium bicarbonate, or thyroid
> hormones.
>
> As with any medicine, there can be side effects.
>
> warmly,
> --
> Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
> Author:* Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy*
> Reviews Editor,* Clinical Lactation*
> www.nikkileehealth.com
> https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth
>
>
--
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
Author:* Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Breastfeeding Therapy*
Reviews Editor,* Clinical Lactation*
www.nikkileehealth.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth
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