Tag Archives: ephedra

St. John’s Wort

St. John’s wort is one herbal remedy that has been (and continues to be) under a lot of scrutiny by modern science. Also known as hypericum and goat weed, use of St. John’s wort for treating mental and mood disorders dates back to ancient Greece. The plant may get its name from historical and religious figure John the Baptist, because the yellow flowers bloom around the time of the feast of St. John the Baptist in late June. The herb was traditionally used to treat nerve pain and a host of mental disorders. It was also used as a balm … Continue reading →

Herbs and Surgery

If you’re heading in for any sort of surgery, it may not occur to you to talk to your doctor about the herbal supplements you’ve been taking. Sure, you always keep track of your medications and keep the list updated with your health care professionals, but you should also let your doctor know about herbal supplements. Herbal supplements that don’t interact with your everyday prescription medications may affect the outcome of a surgical procedure. You may need to stop taking herbal supplements as long as three weeks before surgery to make sure they are out of your system. Some herbal … Continue reading →