Herbal teas

[veniceinperil]

Hi there

I was wondering if anyone has been given advice about herbal teas such as liquorice root and valerian and nettle tea 🍵

Thank you in advance.

Best wishes

Jane

[PMRpro]

It may depend on the medication you are on and interactions.

[veniceinperil in reply to PMRpro]

Thanks 😊

[zoe69 Administrator Volunteer Vasculitis UK]

I was given the ok to have valerian tea to help me sleep.

Liquorice was a no,no while I was on steroids.

You can check for interactions with your medication online and ask your doctor as well, just to be on the safe side.

[Paprika60]

Hi, I have never discussed this aspect with my specialists as they don't seem to know at all.

But I always read the side effects (internet) on everything I take internally and use on my skin.

I use valerian root tincture to aid sleep but I try my best not to use it every night as one can get addicted. Liquorice is good for reflux/acid stomach but it is also a powerful blood thinner if you drink it too much, as with ginger and Omega 3 capsules. There are plenty of informations you can tap into in the internet. Of course, you have to read reliable sources.

I use essential oils for daily help such as headache, brain fog and muscle aches and neuropathy, sleep and calming. They are great as part of my coping methods.

[AndrewT]

Dear Jane,

My advice is 'Be Careful', whilst most Fruit Teas are 'Harmless' St John's Wort, along with certain Other extracts, can Interfere with Immuno- Suppressant Drugs. We are told to 'Avoid Grapefruit', for a reason!

If you, really do, 'fancy' trying different plant/flower/ root extracts then, by all means, talk to your Doctors/ Consultants. (Remember that, a great deal, of Modern Medicine IS Derived from plants.) A 'good start' is Lemon Tea, made yourself.... Simply make a cup of your favourite tea, leave it 'black' and add a slice of lemon. Some 'folk' like to sweeten this a little, try honey, cane sugar or stevia extract. (a natural sweetener, less 'insipid' than some others)

Provided you stay 'within', any guidilnes given by your Doctors, have fun.... some 'extracts' are plain Horrible, whilst others are Not Bad...... you might even find One you like! (A word or Warning though Jane, IF you are going to 'Forrage' the leaves/ roots.... make sure that they ARE the 'Edible' ones! I don't want to read that 'Jane Died Because She 'Forraged' Hemlock', One Day.)

I'd be Interested, to know, how you 'Get On' Jane.... Perhaps you can give an Update sometime. What is 'good' and what is NOT!

AndrewT

[jagjitd in reply to AndrewT]

Hi Andrew, thanks for this. I sent over to my consultant that I might take a supplement that has grapefruit extract and she hasn’t said I should avoid it. That’s a bit worrying could you let me know why we should avoid it? Thanks

[AndrewT in reply to jagjitd]

Dear jagjitd,

Grapefruit, seemingly in Any 'form' (Fruit, Leaves, Extract, Tea etc) 'interferers' with Drug absorbtion/ adsorbtion. It appears to 'alter', in some way, the Rate at which certain Drugs- particularly the 'ones' We take- enter the body.

I 'Mentioned' St John's Wort, in my Post- I should have added Grapefruit to that list. The more 'Sour' Oranges (Saville in particular) can also have 'some' effect- the Literature is a little Vaguer about these. A 'word of warning' some 'Mixed Fruit Drinks', especially 'Lilt', contain Grapefruit Juice, as might some- shop bought- fruit 'Mixtures/ Jellies'.

You did the right 'thing' speaking to your Doctor jagjitd.... Far Better to 'Find Out' BEFORE there is a Problem. Rest assured that there ARE 'Suppliments' that you can take..... but Why do you 'Want' to? Have you been Medically Advised to do so? If so ask that Consultant. If NOT then .....DON'T TAKE ANYTHING, without your Consultant's Knowledge- and 'Blessing'..... Sorry to be so Blunt, my friend..... but you Did ask!

Please feel free to discuss, any of this further jagjted.

AndrewT

[jagjitd in reply to AndrewT]

Dear Andrew,

Thanks for being honest, I’m just surprised my consultant didn’t pick it up. I was planning on working with a nutritionist to see if it would speed my recovery. One of the supplements listed grapefruit extract and I listed this for her along with other extracts. She said she checked them against my tablets and none had side affects now I’m worried.

[AndrewT in reply to jagjitd]

Can I ask a Question, that has immediately 'Sprung to Mind' please jagjitd? Is your Nutritionist associated with your Hospital, or indeed your Consultant(s)/ Doctor(s) in any way? If NOT isthis someone Recommended to you? If not, did you just 'Find' them in an Advert- or Google?

Yes DO speak to a Nutritionist, if you feel the need, BUT get Refered to a HOSPITAL- or GP one! In other words see someone who 'understands' your Condition and has had Experience, of it.

Unless I have 'Vastly' Misunderstood, your Posts, I think that you- probably in Understandable Haste- have Rushed out, to try and Get Better Quick. Sorry but 'Things' don't Work like that! The 'Road' is Long, Hard and, at times, Difficult with many, many 'Pitfalls'- even some you don't even know about yet.. However, since we are ALL on the same road, please Do 'Feel Free', to ask, us any Questions, that you may have.... It's what We Are Here For, after all.

Take Care, my friend.

AndrewT

[jagjitd in reply to AndrewT]

Thank you and your right in haste and quick fix I think I need to rethink this through. Thank you for your help it’s appreciated.