The safe and effective use of medicinal herbs and nutritional supplements

Please read carefully before starting any herbs or supplements
Guidelines written by Andrew Johnson MAMH. mBAN

Please note that the following are general guidelines and they are not intended as a substitute for individual nutritional or medical advice

Using supplements and herbs with drug medicines: Always let me know the full name of all drug medicines you take. I need to check for known contraindications with nutrients and herbs. Many drugs can interfere with the absorption or function of essential vitamins and minerals, and may cause deficiencies of these and add further complications to your health. I may be able to advise on what you can do to reduce these problems providing I know which medications you take. If you are on drug medicines I advise you stagger the introduction of supplements and herbs over a period of time, and to keep them at a low dose especially when first starting them. Please let me know if your doctor prescribes a new drug for you, and stop taking supplements/herbs until I have checked they are OK to continue with the new medicine. Never stop or alter your drug prescription without your doctors consent.

Keep your doctor informed: I am keen to work in co-operation with your GP if you are receiving medical treatment, and can to write or talk with your GP in regard to your nutritional/herbal programme, and any test results we have done. I will need your permission to do this, and may need to charge a small extra fee for writing letters due to the amount of time involved. Always inform your doctor/s about any supplements or herbs you are taking if you are receiving medical treatment.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Some herbs and supplements are contraindicated in pregnancy, breastfeeding or if you are planning to conceive. There are also nutrients and herbs that can support fertility, pregnancy and breast-feeding. Always let me know if you are trying to conceive or are pregnant or breast-feeding.

Conditions in which great caution should be taken: Individuals who have a pacemaker fitted, recipients of organ transplants and are taking immunosuppressive drugs, those that are hyper-allergic or experience anaphylactic reactions. People with life-threatening health conditions. These individuals should always seek advice from their medical doctor before taking any supplements or herbal remedies.

Symptoms where medical attention is required:
• Persistent and/or severe pain • Chest pains/heart palpitations/pain that radiates down the left arm and chest • Fever over 102F or 38.8C • Suspected bone fracture • Suspected poisoning • Suspected stroke • Pallor • Loss of consciousness or vision • Bleeding that does not stop • Severe allergic reactions • Severe burns • Severe and sudden high blood pressure • Severe infection • Blood in sputum, vomit, urine or stools • Persistent or uncontrolled vomiting and/or diarrhoea • Non menstrual bleeding from vagina • Black tarry stools • Vomit that contains what looks like coffee grounds • Persistent thirst • Persistent increase in passing urine and/or pain on passing urine • Persistent cough • Persistent unexplained weight loss • Sudden breathlessness, facial swelling, blueness of lips • Convulsions • Difficulty swallowing or breathing • Brown patches on skin and changes in skin lesions, shape, colour, bleeding, itching or pain • Unexplained swelling or lumps • Recurrent or persistent neck stiffness •

Psychological symptoms that require medical diagnosis and attention:
• Deep depression with suicidal thoughts • Hearing voices, and voices that encourage harmful behaviour • Delusional beliefs • Unexplained behavioural changes or incongruous behaviour •
Please note: this is not necessarily a complete list. If in doubt always consult your doctor.

When first starting new supplements and herbs: If you are recommended more than one supplement/herbal mixture it is advisable to introduce one every two days e.g. start one on the first day and then another two days later and so on. If you have been given a dosage of more than one a day (e.g. one three times a day), start with one dose on the first day, and increase slowly one dose at a time until you achieve the full recommended dose. I may give you specific instructions and dosages for supplements and herbs, but if I have not it is because I want you to follow instructions on the container. Dosages will almost always need to be lower for children and the elderly, the younger/older and lighter in weight the lower the dosage.

If you are prone to allergic reactions, or are generally sensitive and reactive I advise you stagger the introduction over a longer period of time. And when first starting any new supplement/herb take them at a much lower dose than usual (e.g. break a tablet up and just start on one small piece, taken with food) until you are sure you have no reaction to them.

Please note: nutritional supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and healthy diet.

Self-prescribing: Please do not start taking extra supplements, herbs or other remedies, or start other therapies without talking to me, as you may end up taking an excess of something or interfere in how your nutritional/herbal therapy is working.

Tests and medical diagnosis: The traditional and other assessment tests I use in the clinic such as kinesiology, pulse taking and iridology do not replace the need for further laboratory tests or for medical diagnosis. I advise that you further check the results of these in clinic tests through the functional or nutritional lab tests that I recommend. Neither do the tests and recommendations given replace the need for normal visits to your GP, or for the medical advice or tests they do. Please keep me informed of any test results your doctor has done.

How often do you recommend I have a consultation? In the early stages it is best to have a consultation about every four to eight weeks. If you have not had a follow up consultation for over two months check with me about continued use of supplements and herbs (this can be by phone or email). In order to alter supplements/herbs or dosages when needed it is recommended that you have a minimum of four consultations a year (once every three months, or with the change of the seasons), even if you do not have any major problems. This allows us to work on building optimum health and wellbeing.