While the Chinese have successfully used herbal remedies for thousands of years for many different types of illness they are usually prescribed by a practitioner of TCM. Over time some companies have jumped onto the bandwagon and have seized upon the popularity of herbal remedies and have begun selling them ready-made over the counter.

While the majority of herbal remedies are thought to be safe and are made by natural elements such as flowers, they can be just as potent as Western drugs and just as dangerous if taken in large doses or should you be allergic to any of the ingredients. Yet it is not hard to buy ready-made remedies that claim to cure almost any illness and help relieve symptoms. A search on one of the popular search engines will present you with a multitude of herbal shops, department stores and even supermarkets which supply them or you can even buy them online.

Health risks with some associated herbal remedies

Recently several ingredients have come into the spotlight as being particularly dangerous and which can present a serious health hazard. These ingredients are in some of the most commonly used off the shelf herbal remedies that can be bought freely anywhere.

Stricter regulations are being called for when it comes to Chinese herbal remedies, here are some of the ingredients that you should be extremely cautious of using when purchasing herbal remedies.

Aristolochic is giving people cause for concern and is found in over thirteen popular Chinese herbal products. While the acid used is from plant matter it can cause severe problems due to it being toxic to the kidneys that can eventually lead to kidney failure. Using a product that contains this ingredient for any length of time has also been linked to an increased risk in cancer of the kidneys.

Herbal breast and penis enlargement products have also come under the spotlight as some have been linked to having ingredients that could be harmful rather than helpful. At the very least, many of the products that claim they can help you to enlarge have shown no actual proof of them being able to do so.

Another ingredient which is used in many herbal products and which can be bought freely is St Johns Wort, this is thought to have an affect on sperm DNA and compromises the viability of sperm when used in high concentrations. St Johns wort is a popular supplement said to help those who suffer from depression, however evidence has shown that its effectiveness is giving some cause for concern, particularly in cases of major depression.

Ephedra is causing concern and has in fact now been banned from many shelves, Ephedra is a common ingredient found in diet and energy boosting products. However it was found to cause a whole host of problems and illnesses both minor and major. It is thought to raise blood pressure, put stress on the nervous system and has been linked to those who have had strokes and heart attacks.

So apparently what we think will do us good can in fact have the total opposite effect, if misdiagnosed or used without proper due care and attention. With this in mind, it is of utmost importance to consult a doctor before beginning any supplemental regimine.