Reply #24: Sigh. *I* was the one who mentioned 3 herbal remedies [View All]

[Eloriel]

traditionally used for muscle pain and as nervines.

I did it by opening one of my favorite books, "How to Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist: Herbal Traditions, Expert Formulations" by Linda Page, N.D., Ph.D. (N.D. = Naturopathic Doctor) and picking several of the more commonly known and used herbs from her lists of herbs for muscle pain and spasms. I've just checked her individual discussions for each of the herbs I mentioned and none of the horrific negative effects mentioned by whoever it was is listed at all, nor have I seen those scarey warnings elsewhere for these herbs in ANY of the books in my library (and I have a good number of herbals).

I am not in a position to argue with someone who claims to have "25 years of experience" with herbs (so I didn't -- and won't), but I WILL tell you that all of these herbs are considered by the FDA as "GRAS" -- Generally Regarded As Safe." (In fact, all of the herbs that are available on the market are GRAS -- and have been since at least the 1930s, which is why, along with all other non-herb GRAS substances, they are NOT regulated by the FDA.) They have been in use for literally thousands of years; people are not dying from using them (UNLESS they're severely abusing them, as was the case with Ma Huang or Ephedra). These and hundreds of other herbs are sold at virtually every healthfood store in the country.

Is it possible to use them improperly, and get sick because of it? Sure, and it's possible to overdose on aspirin, too. Or water. Alcohol. OTC drugs.

I understand FULLY where you're coming from, especially if you read that alarming post responding to mine, or God only knows what scarey stuff in some alert by either the same person or perhaps one or more of our arch rivals here at DU.

But please don't take our discussions of alternative medicine away from us. Put a big ole hairy disclaimer somewhere, make us put a disclaimer in anything we post (whether it's "advice" or just information -- and I considered mine merely informational and made it deliberately short on details so the poster would seek out other info -- like from their healthfood store or the internet).

You have to remember. There are people who own healthfood stores all over the country who sell herbs (and usually give quite a bit of advice about their products if asked). There are numerous people, like Dr. Page, who write books about the herbs that are commonly available all over the country. Why are these thousands of people not afraid of being sued?

I just leafed thru Dr. Page's introductory material to see if she used a disclaimer of any type. I couldn't find one.

Look, I don't want you or DU to be in any peril, but I really do think some of the suggestions about disclaimers would prevent that totally.
Please help us find someway to allow these discussions to continue.

And thanks for letting us discuss it.