Use of Herbal Supplements and Vitamins in Plastic Surgery: A Practical Review

Abstract

With the lack of quality scientific studies to support the efficacy of most herbal products available and the limited regulation of these products by the government, health care providers are faced with a significant public health dilemma. This article provides a brief overview of information published on commonly encountered herbal supplements and vitamins taken by plastic surgery patients.

Comparison of ginsenosides Rg1 and Rb1 for their effects on improving scopolamine‐induced learning and memory impairment in mice

“…This herb was described in the earliest Chinese materia medica book Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing to have many pharmacological functions, including both nootropic and antiaging effects. Nowadays, ginseng is been widely used as a medicinal supplement in Asia, Europe and the United States (Kennedy et al, 2001;Chen et al, 2006;Broughton et al, 2007;Dang et al, 2009). More than 40 ginsenosides have been isolated from several species of ginseng (Hou, 1977;Sugimoto et al, 2009;Lee et al, 2009).…”

Pearls and Perils of Caring for the Postbariatric Body Contouring Patient

“…28,29 Herbals may cause adverse reactions such as hypoglycemia; hypotension, hypertension, and tachycardia; diuresis and dehydration; increased risk of bleeding; immunosuppression; and/ or inhibition of the cytochrome P450 pathway, potentiating toxicity of drugs metabolized by this pathway, with a risk of hepatotoxicity (Table 1). [25][26][27][28][29][30][31] The American Society of Anesthesiologists recommended the discontinuance of herbal medicines at least 2 weeks before surgery because of the potential for herb-drug interaction. 28 There is a need for established guidelines regarding discontinuation of herbal products preoperatively.…”

“…[24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31] In the United States, it has been estimated that 30 percent of patients now use herbal remedies, often without the knowledge of their treating doctor. 28 U.S. sales in 1997 surpassed $350 million.…”

Surgical scar revision: An overview

“…Herbal supplements and medicines which increase bleeding should be stopped 3 days to 2 weeks before scar revision. [9] Medical conditions like diabetes mellitus and immunosuppression negatively effects wound healing. Tobacco Tobacco use causes hypoxia, thrombogenesis, vasoconstriction, aberrant cell function[10] and delays wound healing. [1112] It is preferable to abstain the patients from smoking from 4 weeks before to 4 weeks after scar revision.…”