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Article: Naturally dangerous; Pregnant women are told to avoid herbal cures.
- Article from:
- Daily Mail (London)
- Article date:
- August 30, 2001
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 Solo Syndication Limited. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: JAMES CHAPMAN
PREGNANT women or those trying for a baby should not take herbal remedies because of the risk of dangerous side effects, an expert warned yesterday.
Edzard Ernst, Britain's only professor of complementary medicine, spoke out as scientists said one of the most popular herbal supplements on the market - gingko biloba - could contain a toxin known to damage the unborn.
Professor Ernst said it was intolerable that many patients use herbal remedies even though they escape regulation because they are sold as food supplements.
'It's a disaster waiting to happen,' he declared. 'We could see another catastrophe like ...