Q:   What are the benefits of choosing an herbal remedy over a prescription drug?
A:   Herbal remedies usually don't require a prescription; you can get them at a health food store. Compared to prescription drugs they're certainly cheaper, only $1.50 to $2 a day.

They've also been used for thousands of years, and many of them have a proven safety record, whereas some prescription drugs may have side effects.

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Q:   Do these herbal remedies have side effects?
A:   They haven't been terribly well studied. We know that fenugreek lowers blood sugar in rats and in humans, and it also lowers cholesterol. We haven't had a real problem with the moms, nor have I seen any side effects in the babies. But these herbals need to be further studied. It hasn't been subjected to rigorous scientific study, just 60,000 years of human use.

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Q:   Which brands of herbs are the most reliable? How can I be sure I'm getting what I've paid for?
A:   I cannot recommend specific brands. You should ask an herbalist for brands they trust and recommend.

To contact the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
Call: 1-800-82-SHARP
Write: Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women
3003 Health Center Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

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