AORN J. 1999 Jan; 69(1): 173-5, 177-8, 180-3.

Preoperative considerations with herbal medicines.

Murphy JM.

Children's Hospital, Boston, USA.

More patients are using herbal remedies. Even though herbs are natural products, they often act like medications and may interact with or potentiate other medications. During a preoperative evaluation, nurses should ask patients about their use of herbal remedies. Certain herbs are dangerous and should never be taken, and others must be avoided before elective surgery. Today's perioperative health care professionals must become familiar with basic information about herbs to carry out thorough assessments. At times, caregivers may need to educate and counsel consumers about benefits and harmful aspects of herbal preparations.