Herbs and the perioperative patient

Herbs are claimed to cure or correct many ills, and in the United States, they are classified as dietary supplements. The Federal Trade Commission, rather than the US Food and Drug Administration, has primary responsibility for dietary supplements, so companies may make claims about herbs that are unsubstantiated by research. Perioperative nurses should be aware of herb usage, interactions with other traditional medications, and herbs effects on perioperative patients.