Herb/Drug interactions (HDIs)

Seventy percent of patients do not inform their doctors about the use of alternative therapies. (Herbal Medicinals: A Clinician's Guide ) Recent reports show that 18 percent of adults in the United States use prescriptions drugs concurrently with herbal or vitamin products, placing as estimated 15 million Americans at risk for potential drug-dietary supplement interactions. (Natural Therapeutics Pocket Guide 2000-2001)

Adverse reactions to herbal therapies may be related to one or more components of the plant, or to an inappropriate or incorrect manufacturing process. The FDA does not require the reporting of adverse drug reactions; for example, ephedra being associated with increased blood pressure, strokes, heart attack or sudden death.