Herbals and surgery
This article was originally published in The Tan Sheet
Executive Summary
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons should make it a "standard practice to ask patients specifically about herbals and other alternative remedies when planning surgery and anesthetic care," according to an American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) advisory issued Sept. 9. "Herbals of particular concern to OMSs include those that can cause drowsiness, excessive bleeding, cardiovascular problems or that interfere with other drugs," notes Pamela Alberto, DMD. "Garlic, ginseng, ginger, chamomile and ginkgo, among others, can cause bleeding after surgery," while valerian and kava may interact dangerously with sedatives. Patients should note natural substances when telling doctors about substances they are taking, AAOMS recommends...