Think Twice Before Giving Kids Herbal Supplements

Don't assume herbal supplements are safe alternatives to prescription medications, especially for children.

"Supplements are largely unregulated and untested," said Dr. Kathleen Motil, a pediatrician with the USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center at Baylor College of Medicine. "Some might provide benefit, but very few have been tested in children to determine their safety and value."

Although "natural," herbal supplements should be used with caution.

"Some herbal supplements have physiologically active compounds that can have serious negative side effects when too much is consumed," Dr. Motil said. "And, we may not know how much is too much for a child until they become ill."

Parents who are open with their child's physician about herbal use can avoid potential interactions between supplements and a child's prescription medications," she said.

- Courtesy of Baylor College of Medicine

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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