When a Doctor Should Be Consulted Before Using a Home Remedy

The ultimate quest of most home remedies is to cure or lessen the symptoms of an illness or condition. Home remedies concocted from herbs, plants and ingredients you’re likely to have in your cupboard have been used for centuries - and in most cases they work.

But, beware of homemade medications that can hurt rather than cure.

Below are some home remedies that could cause you a trip to the hospital rather than avoiding it.

• Butter for Burns – For years, butter has been used as a salve for burns. Actually, butter is extremely bad for burns because rather than cooling the burned area, it keeps the heat inside and increases the chance for infection.

• Paraffin (Kerosene) – Thought to be an effective method to make a child vomit. Forcing a child to ingest paraffin can damage the lungs and the stomach.

• Castor Oil – An old home remedy for constipation, caster oil is a stimulant laxative that can damage the intestines if taken too often. You can also become reliant on it to induce regular bowel movements.

• Herbal Aphrodisiacs – Herbs like Spanish Fly aren’t regulated, so you don’t know how much you’re getting in a supplement. Too much of any herbal remedy can be harmful to your system.

• Hydrogen Peroxide – Some home remedy enthusiasts use hydrogen peroxide as an antiseptic. It’s effective in cleaning wounds, but doesn’t kill the bacteria that can eventually cause infection.

• Apple Cider Vinegar – Used to promote weight loss, apple cider vinegar can ruin your tooth enamel if you don’t brush your teeth after ingesting it.

• Syrup of Ipecac – A home remedy used to induce vomiting if a poison is ingested. Pediatricians now discourage the use of the syrup and suggest instead that you call the National Poison Center at 800-222-1222.

• Kerosene – Treating head lice by rubbing kerosene on a child’s head is a home remedy that is ineffective and can be harmful to the child.

Most home remedies are harmless, but some can be extremely dangerous. Mixed with certain prescriptions or medical conditions, these non-prescribed remedies can cause severe damage or death. Check with your health care professional or pharmacist before using any type of home or herbal remedy.

The Dangers of Vitamin Supplements

Claims that certain supplements can cure anything and keep you healthy and wise have boosted the vitamin business to billions of dollars per year.

Most people today want to stay young and avoid diseases and have bought into the idea of supplements to enhance their health.

Health food stores in America abound with shelves laden with goods that promise miracles for your health. But there are certain dangers involved in surreptitiously ingesting vitamin supplements.

Some danger occurs if you’re taking other medications that the supplements might have an adverse reaction to.

Some people think that “natural” is safe, but that isn’t always true. Some supplements that might endanger your health are:

• Weight loss supplements that contain “theophylline.” Theophylline is taken from a black tea extract and bitter orange. It’s sometimes prescribed for asthma, but can cause seizures and irregular heartbeat.

• Aristolochia. An herb supplement that sometimes causes cancer or kidney failure.

• Bitter orange. A weight loss supplement that may cause seizures.

• Kava. Can be the source of liver failure.

• Pennyroyal. An herb that’s linked to nerve damage and liver and kidney failure.

• Comfrey. An herb that sometimes causes liver damage.

• Lobelia. An herb that can cause tremors, dizziness, breathing difficulties and low blood pressure.

• Androstenedione. Can increase cancer risk and decrease the good HDL cholesterol.

Despite possible side effects, there are many instances when supplements are effective. For example, if you’re a vegetarian, senior citizen or a woman who’s menopausal or post-menopausal, you may not get all the vitamins you need.

People on a severe diet plan, smokers, heavy drinkers and pregnant women may also need extra vitamins to supplement their diets because many vitamins are difficult to absorb.

It’s always best to consult a health professional if you suspect that your body needs dietary supplements. Also, check with the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) to see if there are current bans on a particular supplement.


Want additional ideas for useful alternative health practices? Check out:

Alternative Health Practices Guide

Energy Healing Practices Guide

Natural Herbal Remedies Guide

What are your thoughts about this?
Do you agree or disagree with using alternative health practices?

Leave a comment below…
Cheers, Helene Malmsio

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