Seventy percent of patients neglect to tell their doctors about their use of herbal supplements. And 22 percent of patients continue to take herbs during the perioperative period (the time before, during and after surgery). For them, otherwise minor herbal interactions and side effects may have significant consequences, including heart [1] attacks or hemorrhaging.

Surgery usually involves major disruption in blood flow, risk of infection and alteration of organ function. In addition, undergoing anesthesia involves the administration of numerous potent drugs that have profound effects on the body.

A recent study examined how herbal medications might further impact surgical trauma. A team led by Dr. Michael Ang-Lee, of the Department of Anesthesia at the University of Chicago, reviewed all literature published since 1966 on the eight most commonly used herbs, then made recommendations for six. The findings, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, are noted below. Talk to your surgeon and review them together.

Herb Discontinue Prior to Surgery
Ephedra 24 hours
Garlic 7 days
Ginko 36 hours
Ginseng 7 days
Kava 24 hours
St. John's Wort 5 days

You may want to consider homeopathy as an alternative to herbs. Homeopathic medicines function on an energetic level and do not interact with pharmacologic agents. For example, a single [2] dose (three to five pellets) of Arnica 30 shortly before and after a procedure can be helpful for the trauma associated with surgery.