Talking with families about herbal therapies

The use of herbal therapies is rapidly increasing among adults in the United States. It is anticipated that the use of these products will also increase in children, as parents incorporate alternative therapies into their family health care. Although some of these therapies appear to be safe and may be effective in children, many preparations have been linked to severe adverse effects. Parents should be reminded of these risks, as well as the lack of governmental regulations for herbal products and problems with purity and standardization of many products currently on the market. Health care providers can play an important role in educating patients and their parents about the potential risks of herbal therapies and the need to closely monitor any use in children.