Herbs and supplements are a largely unregulated market in the US. And now there’s new concern about an herbal supplement, aconite, which can be toxic to the heart. Aconite is a flowering plant that is commonly known as aconitum, monkshood and wolfsbane. It has also been called “herbal valium” because it can cause sensations of tingling and numbness. In higher doses it can slow down the heart and cause low blood pressure and heart rhythm abnormalities. Most homeopathic preparations containing aconite are likely safe since the aconite is appropriately diluted. However, consumers should be aware that herbal preparations may contain higher amounts and may cause dangerous side effects, especially if you have a heart condition. Speaking to your health care provider about any herbs and supplements you may be interested in taking is a good idea – it can serve to educate both you and your doctor! [via Medical News Today]
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Tags: aconite, aconitum, arrhthmia, heart, herbal, herbs, homeopathic, homeopathy, monkshood, valium, wolfsbane
Dr. Steven Chang, the author of DailyDose, is a staff physician with Kosmix RightHealth. Dr. Chang practices Family Medicine at the University of California Davis Medical Center, where his medical interests include both pediatric and geriatric care, public health, gay and lesbian health, and sleep medicine. Dr. Chang trained at the Stanford University affiliated O'Connor Hospital, and was a research fellow at the National Institute of Health. He holds an M.D. from McGill University and a BA in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University.
October 6th, 2009 at 6:04 am
i didnt know about that thanks alot
October 6th, 2009 at 7:53 am
I find the recommendation of discussion with doctors comical inasmuch as most doctors are unfamliar with alternative medicines and will normally blow off any use there of.
Many alternative medicines out perform prescription drugs and carry much fewer side effects. The trick is to make sure of what you are treating and approach the problem systematically. All too often physicians are too anxious to prescribe a pharmceuticle without knowing the real cause of the problem. I.E., doctors treating type II diabetes concern themselves with bringing AC1 down without knowing free flowing insulin and insulin resistance. By correcting insulin resistance you kill two birds with one shot and there several minerals and herbals that do just that with little or no side effects.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:33 am
Aconite even in diluted form is dangerous .Aconite in herbal form may never be recommended by any health care professional. Who practice alternative medicine .However there is certain option.The alternative practioner have to monitor the patient very carefully before prescribing aconite for any health problem
October 6th, 2009 at 9:54 am
The alternative to “Scientific Medicine” is “Unscientific Medicine”. All these practitioners should be compelled to stop misleading people and making them vulnerable to risks. If any of their medicines are found to be effective after scientific evaluation, they can be incorporated in the scientific medicare. However, there should be one scientific medical personnel to take care of people. In this age of science, unscientific, irrational persons must not get any chance to mislead people and the State Governments and the FDA ex[plain why they fail to protect people from any unscientific and irrational practices like Homeopathy, Indigenous medicine, etc.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:34 am
Why uses “aconite” as supplement and then blame it for the fault? Aconite causes problem because some people do not know how to use them. It needs to be proportional to some other herbs and make a good combination. It is science and technology needed to use them wisely. Dr. Li Ke of China uses aconite saves a lot of people who have heart diseases.
October 6th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Dr. J, fat chance. If a alternative,natural remedy is not patientable big pharma will do just about anything to discredit it. There are many natural, alternative treatments available but, if pharma can’t gain a patient they ignore it and try to get it off the market.
Most doctors I see have virtually no idea how to use alternatives because they were not trained in their use. The Doctors who have received Alternative Medicine training are head and shoulders above your normal MD. I’ve been there and done that.