Guide to Preoperative Herbs

With the rise of the popularity of Herbal Remedies, there should be more education on the correct usage of herbs. Although most herbs have many beneficial properties, those same properties can be harmful or even fatal if used while facing an upcoming surgical procedure. Listed below are some beneficial facts about herbs and the adverse effects that they can have on you during surgery:

Ephedra
*contains an amphetamine-like compound
*banned in 2004 by FDA as dietary supplement due to health risk
*counteracts with many drugs
*used by anesthesiologist during surgery to help control heart rate and blood pressure
*can cause high blood pressure, heart rate irregularities, heart attacks, stroke and death
*should be discontinued at least a week prior to surgery

Ginkgo
*improves memory and cognitive performance
*used as an antidepressant
*can reduce clotting of blood
*should not be used by people who are taking blood thinners
*increases chance of bleeding during and after surgery
*should be discontinued at least five to seven days before surgery

Kava Kava
*used for its sedative properties to reduce stress-related anxiety, muscle pain or spasms, insomnia, and restlessness
*can become addicted to it
*should never be combined with any other sedative, central nervous system depressant, or alcohol
*blocks the effects of dopamine
*slowly reduce dosage to prevent any withdrawal symptoms
*delays the patient's awakening after surgery
*should be discontinued at least 24 hours before surgery

Licorice
*sweet candy taste
*is a mixture of potassium and calcium salts
*causes hypertension, hypokalemia, edema and a significant increase in blood pressure
*do not take if you already have high blood pressure
*prolongs anesthetic agents
*should be discontinued 5 days before surgery

St. John's Wort
*safe, natural way to treat depression, anxiety and anorexia
*has antibacterial and antiviral properties
*may cause heart transplant rejection
*can cause embolism, heart attack or stroke during surgery
*prolongs anesthesia effects
*should be discontinued at least five days before surgery

Echinacea
*bolsters the immune system
*used in treatment of upper respiratory infection
*used as a wound healer and as an anti-inflammatory
*may speed the course of disease in AIDS patients
*may lead to ineffective immunosuppression in patients awaiting transplant surgery
*should be discontinued 30 days before surgery

Feverfew
*used primarily for the treatment of migraines
*used for psoriasis, toothache, insect bites, asthma, and stomachache
*slows down platelet clotting, leading to postoperative bleeding
*should be discontinued 7 days before surgery

Garlic
*used for lowering cholesterol and blood pressure
*used to fight bacterial infections, asthma, and inflammation
*may cause postoperative bleeding
*should discontinue use at least seven days prior to surgery

Ginger
*used frequently by the surgical population
*treatment for postoperative nausea and as an analgesic
*used to treat morning sickness and motion sickness
*may lead to decreased platelet aggregation and subsequent bleeding
*can cause bleeding when combined with warfarin
*should be discontinued 2 weeks before surgery

Ginseng
*taken for physical stamina and improved concentration
*used for treatment of diabetes
*used for cancer prevention
*may decrease blood sugar, leading to hypoglycemia
*reduces clotting, leading to excessive bleeding
*should be discontinued at least a week before surgery

Valerian
*has sedative-hypnotic properties
*used as a sleep aid and muscle relaxant
*will suffer from withdrawal syndrome
*increases effects of commonly used anesthetic drugs
*should be discontinued several days before surgery

Note: Make sure your doctor and surgeon knows every Herbal Remedy you are using. It could mean the difference between Life and Death!!