Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutical Science » Pharmacology

Bioactive Compounds in Phytomedicine

Edited by Iraj Rasooli, ISBN 978-953-307-805-2, Hard cover, 218 pages, Publisher: InTech, Chapters published January 18, 2012 under CC BY 3.0 license
DOI: 10.5772/2374

There are significant concerns regarding the potential side effects from the chronic use of conventional drugs such as corticosteroids, especially in children. Herbal therapy is less expensive, more readily available, and increasingly becoming common practice all over the world. Such practices have both their benefits and risks. However, herbal self-therapy might have serious health consequences due to incorrect self-diagnosis, inappropriate choice of herbal remedy or adulterated herbal product. In addition, absence of clinical trials and other traditional safety mechanisms before medicines are introduced to the wider market results in questionable safe dosage ranges which may produce adverse and unexpected outcomes. Therefore, the use of herbal remedies requires sufficient knowledge about the efficacy, safety and proper use of such products. Hence, it is necessary to have baseline data regarding the use of herbal remedies and to educate future health professionals about various aspects of herbal remedies.