Prescription or Poison?: The Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies

By Amitava Dasgupta

From echinacea to ayurvedics, this book explains how toxic these remedies are alone or in combination with other widely prescribed drug treatments. For example, one should avoid most herbal remedies when pregnant because of pesticides and preservatives required in growth and storage of the herbs; a widely used herbal antidepressant called kava does damage to the liver; most ayurvedic medicines contain unacceptable levels of lead and other heavy metals; St. John's Wort is not recommended if you are taking a medication for any chronic medical condition. Dr. Dasgupta explains in simple, engaging prose what drug interactions are and why they are dangerous. Most educated people see herbal remedies as "natural" and therefore "safe." Dr. Dasgupta tells us that one of his first pharmacology professors taught him that "medicine" is just another word for "poison" and should be treated with the same respect. He will present a balanced account of efficacy and safety of herbal medicines with discussion on potentially unsafe and toxic remedies. This book will be written in layman’s language for the consumer health market but will be based on solid medical research and published reports in the medical literature.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Turner Publishing Company
• Release date: Feb 15, 2011
• ISBN: 9780897935975

Amitava Dasgupta

Amitava Dasgupta received his Ph. D in chemistry from Stanford University and completed his fellowship training in Clinical Chemistry from the Department of Laboratory Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine at Seattle. He is board certified in both Toxicology and Clinical Chemistry by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry. Currently, he is a tenured Full Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Kansas Medical Center and Director of Clinical Laboratories at the University of Kansas Hospital. Prior to this appointment he was a tenured Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Texas McGovern medical School from February 1998 to April 2022. He has 252 papers to his credit. He is in the editorial board of four journals including Therapeutic Drug Monitoring, Clinica Chimica Acta, Archives of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Journal of Clinical Laboratory Analysis.

Reviews for Prescription or Poison?

[christinemm_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The best thing about this book is the thorough research done and the citing of references and studies to back up the author's writings. The book has been thoroughly researched. The laws in America for the testing of prescription drugs are such that there is data on the prescriptions while the herbs have no such requirement. Therefore the studies are not always available on the herbs or any of the alternative treatments. The author is so cautious it seems he always errs on the side of caution going with the prescription drug with a study over a very old plant based remedy which doesn't have a study on it. He is playing it safe, almost acting like a lawyer in his attempt to be so cautious. I also note the bias in the subtitle "the benefits and dangers of herbal remedies" YET he does not discuss negative known side effects of prescription drugs! What I wound up liking the most about this book was the thorough explanation of various alternative treatments and supplements. I learned more about the general nature of homeopathy than I'd read elsewhere for example. I also learned something I'd not seen in my readings about herbal tinctures: that a study has proven the shaking action of the plant matter in the menustrum is vital to the herbal medicine making process.Who is this book for is another question to be answered. There is too much here for the layperson reader to buy and use to look up say, how to best treat their common head cold. I would bet only a small number of very interested laypeople would buy this book to inform themselves and if they did they'd not read it cover to cover as they'd not care to know the best or worst treatments for a lot of conditions they don't suffer from and also of treatments they may have never even heard of in their life.The book probably is best for western medical doctors who want to know more about integrating what they call alternative medicine or for alternative medicine providers to use and inform themselves with. As I read the book I kept thinking it is so fear-based that I kept putting it down vowing to not ever want to take anything! It has so many warnings of kidney failure or liver damage (a main worry of the now commonly taken Lipitor cholesterol lowering drug). My opinion after reading the book was to think that the factory made prescription drugs are safer but if you read the package inserts required by law to be included with the medicine you will learn they have plenty of dangers themselves!

[maureen61_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found this resource to be disappointing. The warnings are given in a luke-warm fashion, the medications are listed generically when most people reading the book are aware only of the trade names and the repetition of language in various chapters made me wonder about the veracity if the comments. I am also doubtful that this is the "first book about the dangers of alternative remedies". The case studies are banal and lack substance. A less than compelling reference for this important topic.

[deusvitae · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

With the proliferation of alternative therapies, medicines, and supplements, many people are justifiably concerned about their safety and use. It also seems as if the scientific and medical communities are more interested in rejecting the efficacy of such treatments than to reasonably discuss them with patients and others. This book, however, does well at bridging the gap. It is written by a doctor who understands the value that supplements and alternative therapies can provide. The book describes all kinds of popular supplements and therapies-- different herbs, vitamins, essential oils, homeopathy, etc. He describes either their history or the means by which the various therapies seem to work. He cites the research that shows the benefits or lack thereof from these practices, and perhaps most importantly, points out which ones are dangerous for people and which herbs, supplements, and other therapies conflict with medicines or other therapies. If you are interested in supplements, alternative therapies, and the like, and want to know how they work and for what, or if you take such things and are concerned about possible conflicts with other medicines, then this book is highly recommended.*-- received as part of early review program

[glanecia · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I was a bit apprehensive going into this book, because I assumed the overall message would be "those who trust in herbal supplements are fools. Everyone needs to trust western medicine, and swallow our pills, because if you don't, we'll loose money to those dirty herb-selling hippies who are stealing our business." I did exaggerate a bit. I'm not that paranoid. Though, it is easy to believe that someone may only be motivated to write a book because of money, or the fear of losing money to competitors. I didn't trust that the author would be fair, or would have an un-biased approach. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that he was fair. He listed and explained the pros and cons of herbal remedies & other types of alternative medicine as well. The overall message of the book seemed to be, "some herbal remedies are safe, some are not. Here's what we know, here's what we don't know. Don't assume that just because the remedy has been used for thousands of years, that it's going to be safe now -- because the methods used in preparing the herbs are not the same methods that were used thousands of years ago." This book educates the reader & it's unbiased. It's worth the read -- although I would've liked to read more about how western medicine can be dangerous too. It's true, that just because an herb is natural doesn't mean it's safe --- BUT just because it's been tested in a lab, doesn't mean it's safe either. ...maybe I am paranoid. lol, all the same, this book deserves five stars

[barbwebb · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It would be a high estimate if I had to guess at the number of times I have considered a herbal supplement I read about in a magazine, heard rave reviews on from family and friends, or noticed on store display. After all, don't we all want a "miracle" cure for what ails us or to find ways to increase health odds? Each of those times, how handy a book like Prescription or Poison?: The Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies would have been! I admit that I'm somewhat of a "Chicken Little" when it comes to trying new supplements. It takes me several days just to decide on a multi-vitamin. Needless to say, I do my research. Most herbs and supplements are unregulated and the information on the Internet is speculative. Family doctors, I've found, are not up-to-date on most herbal remedies and more importantly, drug interaction is a huge issue if you are taking any prescription or OTC medicine. What a find, a blessing, it is to have all my questions answered in one handy book! Prescription or Poison?: The Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies is written in an easy-to-understand style, filled with quick-consult tables and charts, and contains information on every current supplement including Chinese and ayurvedic medicines. This guide even includes a section on food, drink, and tobacco drug interaction concerns.The author, Dr. Amitava Dasgupta, holds a MS in analytic chemistry from the University of Georgia and a PhD in organic chemistry from Stanford University, among a laundry list of other credentials. I felt that not only in resume, but in the straight-forward wording anecdoted with actual case studies, that the information contained in Prescription or Poison?: The Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies is trustworthy and worthy of a thorough read.The chapters on toxic and deadly supplements were a bit unnerving, but highly educational and led me to reconsider how I approach and store topical medications as well as internal supplements. (If you have children, I highly recommend reading these two chapter thoroughly!)Overall, Prescription or Poison?: The Benefits and Dangers of Herbal Remedies is a wise investment. A guide that should be part of everyone's home reference library. If you are currently using or considering using any herbal supplement (including fish or flax oils,) I highly recommend that you get your hands on a copy of this guide first.

[antiquary_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I ordered this book for my wife because she uses herbal medicines, and she tells me it is extremely good and reveals serious dangers in many widely used products. I should say anyone using these products should consult this book before trying a new herbal medication.

[medeamoon · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Pretty interesting stuff. I like how it gives the pros and cons of using different herbal remedies. It doesn't try to make you think one way or the other, just presents the information for you to make your own opinion.

[shawnmarie_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I've studied herbal medicine for over 25 years now and this is the first reference book I would suggest to family members to help explain the benefits, and risks, of herbal medicine.Beginning with the demographics of herbal remedy users and running through safe, moderately safe and toxic herbal remedies plus special chapters on women's medicine, herbal/drug interactions and herbal/food interactions Prescription or Poison covers a lot of ground.It was a little disturbing to find that Black Cohosh was listed both in the safe category and the one describing herbal rememdies that cause liver damage. I did learn quite a bit about methyl salicylate (wintergreen) and how toxic it can be to children even when used as part of a muscle rub like Bengay - lock that stuff up and don't let your kids use it!If you take an herbal medicines or know someone who does - this is definitely a book to have and one to take with you on doctor's visits. I only hope they keep updating it with the newest information as it becomes available.