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Herbal therapy: what every facial plastic surgeon must know.
1Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Thomas Jefferson University, 925 Chestnut St, Sixth Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. Edmund.Pribitkin@mail.tju.edu
Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery
|May 23, 2001
Summary
Many patients use herbal medicines without informing healthcare providers, increasing risks for surgical bleeding and photosensitivity reactions. Surgeons and physicians must inquire about herbal supplement use to ensure patient safety and manage potential drug interactions.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Integrative Medicine
Background:
- The increasing popularity of herbal medicines (phytomedicine) has led to a market with variable safety and efficacy standards.
- A significant gap exists in communication between patients and healthcare providers regarding herbal product use, with 70% of patients not disclosing their usage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the potential risks associated with common herbal remedies during surgical procedures.
- To inform healthcare professionals about specific herbal interactions and advise on patient counseling.
Main Methods:
- Review of common herbal remedies with known pharmacological activity and potential adverse effects.
- Identification of herbs that may increase bleeding risk or cause photosensitivity reactions.
Main Results:
- Common herbs like feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, and Asian ginseng may increase surgical bleeding risk.
- St. John's wort poses a risk of photosensitivity reactions, particularly when combined with retinoids or skin resurfacing treatments.
- Some herbal medicines, like aloe vera, may have beneficial properties such as aiding wound healing.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare providers, especially surgeons, should proactively question patients about their use of herbal medicines.
- Patients need counseling regarding the unverified quality of supplements and potential drug interactions with herbal products.
- Informed patient communication is crucial for managing risks associated with herbal medicine use in clinical practice.