"Hundreds of herbal Medicines Off the Market in European Union Today"

coloCan
coloCan Member Posts: 1,944 Member
edited May 2011 in Colorectal Cancer #1
as per www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/223854.php


Don't know if this affects anyone onboard here......."The new rules cover St John's Wort, valerian, Indian medications and traditional Chinese ones"
«1

Comments

  • Buckwirth
    Buckwirth Member Posts: 1,258 Member
    Steve,
    Today is getting away from me. I will ring you tomorrow!


    Here is a clickable link:

    Off the Market?

    Blake
  • tanstaafl
    tanstaafl Member Posts: 1,313 Member
    continued encroachment
    One of my kids into sports, arriving in Asia, was informed at customs that vitamin packs weren't allowed under new rules, like medicines without a prescription, but would be allowed "this time". I think they were wrong, but there is definitely pharmaceutically inspired encroachment afoot around the world.

    The kid will go to graduate school in Europe after this summer. I am not sure how the grabby European weak vitamin limits are going to play out.
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    tanstaafl said:

    continued encroachment
    One of my kids into sports, arriving in Asia, was informed at customs that vitamin packs weren't allowed under new rules, like medicines without a prescription, but would be allowed "this time". I think they were wrong, but there is definitely pharmaceutically inspired encroachment afoot around the world.

    The kid will go to graduate school in Europe after this summer. I am not sure how the grabby European weak vitamin limits are going to play out.

    it won't be long now
    hi steve,

    soon it will be time to goto the doctor to get a script togo the greengrocer.

    until western medicine gets it act together, why did this market in herbs take off ?

    now its being shutdown.

    this will be a really good fight, the medical establishment does not have a chance.

    freedom of choice, like the freedom to exchange information is fundamental to our being able to make informed choices.

    thanks for posting this, its bad news, but its good to be informed.

    pete
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    whooo-man.

    Re:
    "The new regulations came about after growing concern among health
    care professionals about how some remedies clash with
    conventional drugs,
    as well as the damaging effects a number of
    them can have when taken on their own."


    Yeah really. Inexpensive healthcare items must fall to the more
    profit-producing factory produced chemicals.

    This is nothing new, except for it finally being lobbied into
    legislation; USA is next!

    Be well!

    John
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    John23 said:

    whooo-man.

    Re:
    "The new regulations came about after growing concern among health
    care professionals about how some remedies clash with
    conventional drugs,
    as well as the damaging effects a number of
    them can have when taken on their own."


    Yeah really. Inexpensive healthcare items must fall to the more
    profit-producing factory produced chemicals.

    This is nothing new, except for it finally being lobbied into
    legislation; USA is next!

    Be well!

    John

    This goes back to the sound advice I once received....
    "While under a doctor's treatment for a serious ailment, make sure that she/he knows about EVERYTHING you are taking, both script and OTC..."

    Most drugs (yes, even chemo drugs like Adriamycin, Taxol and Avastin) started out life as plants, or molds. Many of these are the plants' defense mechanism to avoid being eating by animals. They can be highly toxic. Just because something is deemed 'natural', doesn't make it safe...we just learned that with the twisters that wrecked such havoc.

    Now, John, before you quote only part *smile* I WILL say that this sounds a bit overboard of the Europeans...because I FIRMLY believe in complementary medicine...and so do my docs. But, without their knowledge, if certain 'herbals' are taken, it can be deadly...like in my case, with my 'other' cancer, breast cancer, there is natually occuring estrogen in some plants. My BC was estrogen positive...I could actually be INCREASING my chance of reoccurance!

    IMHO, Kathi
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    KathiM said:

    This goes back to the sound advice I once received....
    "While under a doctor's treatment for a serious ailment, make sure that she/he knows about EVERYTHING you are taking, both script and OTC..."

    Most drugs (yes, even chemo drugs like Adriamycin, Taxol and Avastin) started out life as plants, or molds. Many of these are the plants' defense mechanism to avoid being eating by animals. They can be highly toxic. Just because something is deemed 'natural', doesn't make it safe...we just learned that with the twisters that wrecked such havoc.

    Now, John, before you quote only part *smile* I WILL say that this sounds a bit overboard of the Europeans...because I FIRMLY believe in complementary medicine...and so do my docs. But, without their knowledge, if certain 'herbals' are taken, it can be deadly...like in my case, with my 'other' cancer, breast cancer, there is natually occuring estrogen in some plants. My BC was estrogen positive...I could actually be INCREASING my chance of reoccurance!

    IMHO, Kathi

    Does it counts for your coffee shops in Amsterdam ?
    LOL!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    pepebcn said:

    Does it counts for your coffee shops in Amsterdam ?
    LOL!

    LOL....interesting story there....
    After my first visit to Amsterdam, back in The States, the dutch consulate general (should that be capitalized?) was chatting with me and asked my impression...

    I said "I think it's very forward-thinking to have marijuana legal!".

    He puffed up and said "It is NOT legal in The Netherlands!!!!" (Now, it truly is...but only for 'personal use'...anything more than 1 oz, and you are in trouble!).

    Hugs, Kathi
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    KathiM said:

    LOL....interesting story there....
    After my first visit to Amsterdam, back in The States, the dutch consulate general (should that be capitalized?) was chatting with me and asked my impression...

    I said "I think it's very forward-thinking to have marijuana legal!".

    He puffed up and said "It is NOT legal in The Netherlands!!!!" (Now, it truly is...but only for 'personal use'...anything more than 1 oz, and you are in trouble!).

    Hugs, Kathi

    Not quite what it seems
    The story is not quite what it appears to be.

    The intention is to remove the ability for 'anyone' to start peddling natural remedies they have concocted.

    The established remedies are all to remain, as they have approval, also anything alreayd out there remains until its sell by date expires.

    Living in the UK, I have not seen anything in the news to cause panic, the health shops still advertise and whilst I did see an article about this some weeks ago, there is nothing in the papers.

    Alas, the UK is in the EU, I have never understood why, but without getting political we are and there meddling in all sorts of things is quite unreal at times.

    The Netherlands reduced the amount of 'pot cafes' in Amsterdam to improve its image, I have been to the city several times and find the sight of tourists getting 'high' a big negative.

    Can I if I wish order any herbal supplements I could last week or month, yes.

    Gary
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    GaryinUK said:

    Not quite what it seems
    The story is not quite what it appears to be.

    The intention is to remove the ability for 'anyone' to start peddling natural remedies they have concocted.

    The established remedies are all to remain, as they have approval, also anything alreayd out there remains until its sell by date expires.

    Living in the UK, I have not seen anything in the news to cause panic, the health shops still advertise and whilst I did see an article about this some weeks ago, there is nothing in the papers.

    Alas, the UK is in the EU, I have never understood why, but without getting political we are and there meddling in all sorts of things is quite unreal at times.

    The Netherlands reduced the amount of 'pot cafes' in Amsterdam to improve its image, I have been to the city several times and find the sight of tourists getting 'high' a big negative.

    Can I if I wish order any herbal supplements I could last week or month, yes.

    Gary

    Love the British ,hahaha! always different. but love you!
    One advantage to be a EU citizen : you can come to IBIZA with no passport and get all the Maria you want! hahahaha!
    Hugs !
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    pepebcn said:

    Love the British ,hahaha! always different. but love you!
    One advantage to be a EU citizen : you can come to IBIZA with no passport and get all the Maria you want! hahahaha!
    Hugs !

    Pepe
    I can get what my

    Pepe

    I can get what my partner needs here, we were in Barcelona in December and had 5 wonderful nights there. Our favourite city to date.

    Gary
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    GaryinUK said:

    Pepe
    I can get what my

    Pepe

    I can get what my partner needs here, we were in Barcelona in December and had 5 wonderful nights there. Our favourite city to date.

    Gary

    I'm glad about it , feel sorry we didn't met before!
    Hugs!
  • GaryinUK
    GaryinUK Member Posts: 62
    pepebcn said:

    I'm glad about it , feel sorry we didn't met before!
    Hugs!

    Pepe
    Have seen your posts,

    Pepe

    Have seen your posts, hope you are doing OK, if you ever travel to London let me know.

    The Royal Wedding is over, but there is always somehting going on and we have Trooping the Colour in June.

    Regards

    Gary
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    GaryinUK said:

    Pepe
    Have seen your posts,

    Pepe

    Have seen your posts, hope you are doing OK, if you ever travel to London let me know.

    The Royal Wedding is over, but there is always somehting going on and we have Trooping the Colour in June.

    Regards

    Gary

    Hahaha Gary,must tell you that London is my favorite
    city by FAR! I been studying in Southampton 3 years and use to go to London every weekend ! Had some friend living in Camden .Now that I can afore I use to go there twice a year at least, unfortunately I don't go there since couple of years due to my obvious problem, but first trip I can do be sure Will be London ! The only city I cut live beside Barcelona!.
    God save the queen!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    pepebcn said:

    Hahaha Gary,must tell you that London is my favorite
    city by FAR! I been studying in Southampton 3 years and use to go to London every weekend ! Had some friend living in Camden .Now that I can afore I use to go there twice a year at least, unfortunately I don't go there since couple of years due to my obvious problem, but first trip I can do be sure Will be London ! The only city I cut live beside Barcelona!.
    God save the queen!

    Yeah, yeah...and you couldn't spare time for lunch....
    and then with me almost deported when I returned home....ROFLMAO!!!

    Hugs to you, my firey Spaniard!

    Hugs, Kathi
  • pepebcn
    pepebcn Member Posts: 6,331 Member
    KathiM said:

    Yeah, yeah...and you couldn't spare time for lunch....
    and then with me almost deported when I returned home....ROFLMAO!!!

    Hugs to you, my firey Spaniard!

    Hugs, Kathi

    would you come to London Kathi?
    Would love it!
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    pepebcn said:

    would you come to London Kathi?
    Would love it!

    More likely Barcelona this time....
    Our ship docks in Barcelona at 12 noon on July 28th...and leaves at 12 midnight that same night...the day before my birthday...YEA!!!!! (Never mind how old I am...ok, I give, I'll be 56 years on this earth on that Friday...). Maybe we can take you and your lovely wife to dinner? Or meet up in the afternoon?

    I would LOVE to meet up! (maybe take in some Absinthe....*smile*)

    BIG hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    GaryinUK said:

    Not quite what it seems
    The story is not quite what it appears to be.

    The intention is to remove the ability for 'anyone' to start peddling natural remedies they have concocted.

    The established remedies are all to remain, as they have approval, also anything alreayd out there remains until its sell by date expires.

    Living in the UK, I have not seen anything in the news to cause panic, the health shops still advertise and whilst I did see an article about this some weeks ago, there is nothing in the papers.

    Alas, the UK is in the EU, I have never understood why, but without getting political we are and there meddling in all sorts of things is quite unreal at times.

    The Netherlands reduced the amount of 'pot cafes' in Amsterdam to improve its image, I have been to the city several times and find the sight of tourists getting 'high' a big negative.

    Can I if I wish order any herbal supplements I could last week or month, yes.

    Gary

    Hey Gary! Welcome!
    I am an American expat living half time in The Netherlands.

    I share your feeling about the tourists (mainly Americans...sigh...) that make fools of themselves both with pot and drinking...sigh...not to mention their use of the public urinals on the streets...*blush*.

    BUT I really LOVE Amsterdam...it is such a timeless city!!!! I always find excuses to take the train in for a visit...it's one of the cities that has my heart. Another is Prague, but that's another story...*smile*

    Hugs, Kathi
  • John23
    John23 Member Posts: 2,122 Member
    KathiM said:

    This goes back to the sound advice I once received....
    "While under a doctor's treatment for a serious ailment, make sure that she/he knows about EVERYTHING you are taking, both script and OTC..."

    Most drugs (yes, even chemo drugs like Adriamycin, Taxol and Avastin) started out life as plants, or molds. Many of these are the plants' defense mechanism to avoid being eating by animals. They can be highly toxic. Just because something is deemed 'natural', doesn't make it safe...we just learned that with the twisters that wrecked such havoc.

    Now, John, before you quote only part *smile* I WILL say that this sounds a bit overboard of the Europeans...because I FIRMLY believe in complementary medicine...and so do my docs. But, without their knowledge, if certain 'herbals' are taken, it can be deadly...like in my case, with my 'other' cancer, breast cancer, there is natually occuring estrogen in some plants. My BC was estrogen positive...I could actually be INCREASING my chance of reoccurance!

    IMHO, Kathi

    Kathi -

    Re:
    ”….Now, John, before you quote only part *smile*….
    ….if certain 'herbals' are taken, it can be deadly…..”<\i>

    Absolutely right of course! (Did I shock you?)

    Although it's true that many herbs were the basis for western meds,
    that’s where the similarity stops.

    In Western Medicine, manufactured drugs are used to take away
    only the symptom(s) of an underlying problem .

    With Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Herbs (natural drugs)
    and/or acupuncture are used to energize whatever organ isn't
    working properly, fixing the underlying problem. Once that is
    accomplished, the symptoms of the malfunctioning system are gone.

    Most people can’t wait, so they take a quick-acting pill to get rid
    of the symptoms, and get back to work.

    The symptoms may be gone, but the problem isn’t, and it will
    eventually produce a worse problem with worse symptoms.

    Can herbs kill? Water can kill. If I have a problem, I worry more
    about taking a drug for it, since -all- drugs have side effects and
    interactions; herbs (for the most part) do not.

    Yes, there have been problems reported with herbs like St.John's wart,
    etc., but that can occur when people take herbs without knowing fully
    what the herbs are capable of doing. That's the real problem; people
    are not interested in learning about what they are about to undertake.

    When we do something blindly, we will suffer the consequences
    sooner or later; It's no different with OTC medicine.

    Some people don't read instructions with over-the-counter medicine,
    but that doesn't make the medicine bad, or cause it to be regulated.

    Tylenol is a good example. The manufacturer tells us not to take
    it for more than ten consecutive days. Too much of it can cause
    serious liver and renal problems.

    How many actually heed that warning? The company's caveat,
    of: "only do so if your physician tells you to", is a great CYA move.
    Your attorneys will fight both your physician and Tylenol, but
    Tylenol will win, since they did inform you of the safe dosage limit.

    TCM herbal concoctions are never prescribed beyond the time
    the herbal concoction resolves the problem.

    I took herbs for AF, and after about 9 months my AF was gone.
    I have not taken herbs for AF since it was cured! With TCM,
    herbs are not prescribed for a steady, life-time diet, as Western
    Medicine's drugs are.

    So the claims made that "herbs cause problems", is ill founded.
    They don't cause problems if we take them they way they were
    intended to be taken; not much different with Tylenol, right?

    Both of my oncologists said that if I did chemo, I could not take any
    herbal compounds to relieve any side effects of the chemo. Instead
    they both said they would prescribe other medications to offset
    the side effects.

    It was interesting to recently read, that “chemo brain” and other
    neurological problems may be caused by the interaction of the
    drugs used to offset the side effects of the chemo.

    The studies indicated that the interactions of the drugs appeared
    to cause some chemicals to cross the “blood/brain barrier”.

    No herbs; not safe? I prefer to pick my poison, thank you.

    Getting back to topic…..

    Individuals should have the freedom to choose their own remedies.
    What “right” does any government have, to dictate an individual’s
    choice of pharmaceutical?

    There are basic human rights involved that no entity should encroach;
    the right to choose what may bring you good health, is only one.

    This is another reason why this website, and its allowance of all
    information is important!. Anyone can gather enough data here
    to make an informed decision that may well save their life!

    It isn’t the “herbs” at fault, it’s the refusal of the industry to accept
    the use of herbal compounds instead of their money-making, factory
    produced chemicals. The cancer industry lobbies for what they want,
    and they use donations and profits for their fight.

    Our marches, fund raising events, and all donated funds would be
    better off donated to the ones involved that are seeking a real cure,
    instead of an industry that is profiting from the lack of a real cure.

    That's my two cents, and a few million screen pixels worth
    of rant. I'll stop now, I'm giving me a headache.

    (and besides, I've probably offended a few million readers by now)

    Stay well; think “cured”,

    John
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    John23 said:

    Kathi -

    Re:
    ”….Now, John, before you quote only part *smile*….
    ….if certain 'herbals' are taken, it can be deadly…..”<\i>

    Absolutely right of course! (Did I shock you?)

    Although it's true that many herbs were the basis for western meds,
    that’s where the similarity stops.

    In Western Medicine, manufactured drugs are used to take away
    only the symptom(s) of an underlying problem .

    With Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Herbs (natural drugs)
    and/or acupuncture are used to energize whatever organ isn't
    working properly, fixing the underlying problem. Once that is
    accomplished, the symptoms of the malfunctioning system are gone.

    Most people can’t wait, so they take a quick-acting pill to get rid
    of the symptoms, and get back to work.

    The symptoms may be gone, but the problem isn’t, and it will
    eventually produce a worse problem with worse symptoms.

    Can herbs kill? Water can kill. If I have a problem, I worry more
    about taking a drug for it, since -all- drugs have side effects and
    interactions; herbs (for the most part) do not.

    Yes, there have been problems reported with herbs like St.John's wart,
    etc., but that can occur when people take herbs without knowing fully
    what the herbs are capable of doing. That's the real problem; people
    are not interested in learning about what they are about to undertake.

    When we do something blindly, we will suffer the consequences
    sooner or later; It's no different with OTC medicine.

    Some people don't read instructions with over-the-counter medicine,
    but that doesn't make the medicine bad, or cause it to be regulated.

    Tylenol is a good example. The manufacturer tells us not to take
    it for more than ten consecutive days. Too much of it can cause
    serious liver and renal problems.

    How many actually heed that warning? The company's caveat,
    of: "only do so if your physician tells you to", is a great CYA move.
    Your attorneys will fight both your physician and Tylenol, but
    Tylenol will win, since they did inform you of the safe dosage limit.

    TCM herbal concoctions are never prescribed beyond the time
    the herbal concoction resolves the problem.

    I took herbs for AF, and after about 9 months my AF was gone.
    I have not taken herbs for AF since it was cured! With TCM,
    herbs are not prescribed for a steady, life-time diet, as Western
    Medicine's drugs are.

    So the claims made that "herbs cause problems", is ill founded.
    They don't cause problems if we take them they way they were
    intended to be taken; not much different with Tylenol, right?

    Both of my oncologists said that if I did chemo, I could not take any
    herbal compounds to relieve any side effects of the chemo. Instead
    they both said they would prescribe other medications to offset
    the side effects.

    It was interesting to recently read, that “chemo brain” and other
    neurological problems may be caused by the interaction of the
    drugs used to offset the side effects of the chemo.

    The studies indicated that the interactions of the drugs appeared
    to cause some chemicals to cross the “blood/brain barrier”.

    No herbs; not safe? I prefer to pick my poison, thank you.

    Getting back to topic…..

    Individuals should have the freedom to choose their own remedies.
    What “right” does any government have, to dictate an individual’s
    choice of pharmaceutical?

    There are basic human rights involved that no entity should encroach;
    the right to choose what may bring you good health, is only one.

    This is another reason why this website, and its allowance of all
    information is important!. Anyone can gather enough data here
    to make an informed decision that may well save their life!

    It isn’t the “herbs” at fault, it’s the refusal of the industry to accept
    the use of herbal compounds instead of their money-making, factory
    produced chemicals. The cancer industry lobbies for what they want,
    and they use donations and profits for their fight.

    Our marches, fund raising events, and all donated funds would be
    better off donated to the ones involved that are seeking a real cure,
    instead of an industry that is profiting from the lack of a real cure.

    That's my two cents, and a few million screen pixels worth
    of rant. I'll stop now, I'm giving me a headache.

    (and besides, I've probably offended a few million readers by now)

    Stay well; think “cured”,

    John

    but the rant may stimulate some chemo brains
    thinking is just another form of exercise
    pete