RISK AND BENEFIT OF NATURAL PRODUCTS AS THE
COMPLEMENTARY ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

Natural products have been used medicinally for thousands of
year. Over the past few decades, the entire conventional
medicines have been superimposed onto this tradition. Recently,
there has been a greater integration between the two, including a
marked resurgence in herbal product use within the same health
facility. The concomitant oral administration of natural product
and conventional medicine may affect human drug metabolism
and significantly increase the risk for serious clinical adverse
reactions.

Complementary alternative medicines,CAMs, can be grouped
into herbal remedies, food supplements including vitamin
preparations, trace elements and other substances such as
omega-3 fatty acids. Patients may take CAMs for a variety of
reasons:to combat the cancer, strengthen the immune system,
counter side effects of conventional treatments and treat
psychological problems including low mood and anxiety.

However, use of CAM and especially of herbal remedies and
supplements is not without problems. Some may not be
effective, and others have potentially dangerous side effects
and interactions with conventional treatments.