Problems Associated with Long-Term Use

What is so disconcerting are the number of problems associated with well-known medicinal herbs such as ginseng, golden seal, ginkgo, milk thistle, cassia, saw-palmetto, valerian, and a variety of stimulants (De Smet, 2004 Elvin-Lewis, 2001 Ernst, 1998 Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, 2003 O Hara et al., 1998). Symptoms of misuse can vary from trivial to extreme and may include life-threatening events affecting the heart, blood pressure, liver, GI tract, as well as nervous and endocrine systems. Dermatological reactions are considered elsewhere in the chapter. 

Caffeine in guarana (Paullinia cupana), mate (Ilex paraguariensis), or concentrated green tea (Camelia sinensis) elicits a wide range of excitatory symptoms, particularly if it is present in excess. These plant products are frequently present in slimming preparations, and consumers should be aware of their potential to cause palpitations, sweating, insomnia, restlessness, agitations, tremors, headache, polydipsia and polyuria (DeSmet, 2004 Elvin-Lewis, 2001). 

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Problems Associated with Long-Term Use Effects on Internal Organs... 

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