Books: A needed health handbook

Mixing herbs, prescription medications and vitamins can be a dangerous combination. Even supplements we buy over the counter and think are safe can trigger tragic consequences. A comprehensive and easy-to-use guide shows how we can steer clear of dangerous interactions and be better educated about which herbs and vitamins are harmful when used with prescription medications.

Dr. George Grossberg, director of the division of geriatric psychiatry at the St. Louis University School of Medicine, estimates that 60 million Americans routinely take herbs, vitamins and other supplements to relieve headaches, back pain, arthritis, insomnia, menstrual difficulties and depression. Sometimes when these herbs and supplements are mixed with prescribed medications, unexpected reactions can occur with dire consequences.

Determined to prevent this danger, Dr. Grossberg’s new book lists herbs and supplements in alphabetical order, along with detailed information on each including recommended dosages, contraindicated drugs, history and usage, and even lab test results that may be altered with usage.

Some of the potentially harmful herb-drug-vitamin combinations revealed by Dr. Grossberg include Echinacea, which when used with Tylenol can damage the liver. St. John’s wort can weaken the effectiveness of birth control pills, and drinking green tea for an upset stomach can lead to a false-positive result for certain types of cancer.

This long-overdue guide helps consumers and health-care providers alike to better understand herbs, drugs and vitamins.