title: Four common herbs seen in dental practice: properties and potential adverse effects.
abstract: The use of herbal supplements in North America is steadily growing and raises concerns about safety, efficacy, and how they affect safe patient care. The most notable and direct health risks associated with herbal supplements include hypertension, prolonged bleeding, and the potential for drug-herb interactions, which is of particular concern for patients undergoing anesthesia, both general and local anesthesia. In this article, four of the most commonly used herbs today in North America will be discussed: garlic, gingko, ginseng, and ginger. The pharmacology, benefits, and possible side effects of these herbs will be presented. Awareness of the rising use of herbs is important to prevent, recognize, and treat potential problems that can arise from herbal preparations taken alone or in conjunction with prescription medications.
authors.affiliation: TMJ and Facial Pain Center, Westerville, Columbus, Ohio, USA. drwes@drshankland.com
authors.forename: Wesley E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Shankland
mesh_terms: D000529:Complementary Therapies; D003729:Dental Care; D005737:Garlic / Q000009:adverse effects; D020939:Zingiber officinale / Q000009:adverse effects; D020441:Ginkgo biloba / Q000009:adverse effects; D041743:Herb-Drug Interactions; D006801:Humans; D009656:North America; D005894:Panax / Q000009:adverse effects; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D028321:Plant Preparations / Q000009:adverse effects*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D012307:Risk Factors; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D028321:Plant Preparations