“Herbal” doesn’t mean “no side effects”

I take herbal medications.  Valerian is a great mind-relaxer;  I’d hate to be without it.

However, the fact that something is herbal or all-natural doesn’t mean it’s chemical-free or has no side-effects.  The chemicals are being produced naturally (in plants, for example;  for example, aspirin was discovered in willow bark),  not synthetically.

Ginkgo, ginger, and ginseng can each increase bleeding.  If you’re taking any of these, let us know before any procedure in which bleeding is likely to occur (extraction, gum surgery, periodontal root planning).  We’ll want you off the herbal remedy for several days before your dental appointment.    

It’s also a good idea to make sure your medical doctor is aware of any herbal medication you may be taking.  Some herbs will interact harmfully with some prescription drugs.

Did you know?

In Shakespeare’s time, mattresses were secured to bed frames by ropes.  When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer.  Hence the phrase, “Goodnight, sleep tight.”

It was the accepted practice in ancient Babylon that for a month after the wedding, the bride’s father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink.  Mead is a honey beer and, because the ancient calendar was lunar based,  this period was called the honey month.  That was the derivation of today’s term, “honeymoon.”

Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great ruler from history:

Spades---King David

Hearts---Charlesmagne

Clubs---Alexander the Great

Diamonds---Julius Caesar