Ginkgo biloba's epilepsy seizures warning

People with epilepsy should be warned that using a popular herbal remedy may increase the risk of seizures, researchers say.

German scientists, writing in the Journal of Natural Products, said they had found 10 written reports of seizures linked to ginkgo biloba.

They said they were convinced the herb could have a "detrimental effect".

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8485609.stm

Although this seems to be a small study that cannot provide strong evidence for ginkgotoxin causing epileptic seizures, the finding is certainly plausible. If herbs do work (and most of them don't) then it's because of the chemicals they contain. Chemicals which act as drugs in the human body.

People often turn to herbal remedies believing that they are 'natural therefore safe' but plants actually produce chemicals for their own survival - not ours! Many of the chemicals they produce are used to attract insects for pollination or to repel herbivores; and one of the best ways to do that is to produce poisons - and that's what many herbs do. Defence chemicals, such as alkaloids, can have a dramatic effect on the central nervous system. This is why it is plausible that some of these chemicals, even at a very low dosage, can cause seizures in those who are prone to them. They may sensitize the nervous system to triggers and the drugs in the plants may interfere with anti-seizure medication too.

For more on the dangers of herbal remedies, see: http://www.ukskeptics.com/herbal-remedies.php
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