Re: Dr Braun- did you know Jennifer Aniston uesd herbs such as Vitex to fall pregnant- Do you think she will miscarry???

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<sorry to snip, I ran out of room>

I think a lot of the problem that many doctors have with "herbs" is that the herb companies are unregulated. There is no guarantee that you will get a therapeutic dose of an ingredient -- or even any idea what a therapeutic dose is. In addition, some "herbs" that are sold don't even have active amounts of whatever ingredient it is supposed to be. Consumer Reports did a series of articles on herbal remedies in which they tested several brands of ginseng (among other herbs). The results ranged from NO DETECTABLE GINSENG AT ALL in one brand (despite what it said on the lable), to more than was listed on the lable. The manufacturers of herb pills can get away with this because their companies do not fall under the categories of "drugs" for some reason, even though the ingredients in them may have a pharmacological effect. Also, most of these herbs have not gone through any testing whatsoever to establish what the active ingredient is or does in a particular herb. In fact, many herbs have lots of active ingredients, most of which have not been tested in any way shape or form, except by anecdotal evidence (e.g., this herb did such and such when I took it -- it will do the same for you!)It is very odd to me that some women would rather take something that they really have no idea what it does (NO ONE really has any idea what it does), in unknown quantities (you can't trust the lable information because there is absolutely NO gurantee that it is accurate).

I think taking herbs is a huge gamble with both my health and the health of my baby; it seems a mad thing to do to me. I believe pregnant women shouldn't take any drugs or herbs during pregnancy, but if they need to, I personally would far rather take something that someone(my doctor)at least has some idea of how much of an active ingredient is being prescribed and what it does. I don't know what it is about the "natural" lable that causes people's critical thinking and skepticism to fly out the window. Water is about as "natural" as it gets, and it can certainly kill you pretty darned fast, in not very high doses.

-Andrea

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• In reply to: pearl: "Dr Braun- did you know Jennifer Aniston uesd herbs such as Vitex to fall pregnant- Do you think she will miscarry???"
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