Description
Older adults are increasingly using complementary and alternative medicines to help memory, prevent the onset of chronic diseases and boost overall general wellbeing, and increase longevity. These may be in the form of herbal remedies or over the counter preparations of which the physician looking after them may not be aware. Given the embrace by some older persons of these alternative remedies, knowledge of their uses, interactions and potential side effects can help the elderly care physician to achieve a better standard of care by making use of all effective treatments; be they conventional or alternative therapies. This article describes the common herbal preparations, their uses, side effects and interactions with prescribed drugs.
