The Potential Negative Effects of Several Herbal Remedies.
"Fertility & Sterility", Vol.71, No.3, March 1999
According to a recent study conducted under the auspices of the Loma Linda University School of Medicine, several popular herbal remedies have the potential to interfere with the reproductive process. Using several different tests involving human sperm or hamster eggs, researchers concluded that St.John's Wort, Gingko Biloba, and Echinacea all had negative effects on eggs and/or sperm, including reducing sperm viability and its ability to penetrate eggs and changing of sperm's genetic material. In addition, St. John's wort appears to mutate a tumor suppressor gene, which could increase the risk of breast and ovarian cancers in women who inherit such a gene. Despite such findings, researchers stated that it is still possible to use such supplements in recommended doses without experiencing ill effects. This uncertainty springs from the fact that in the study, semen or serum were directly exposed to herbal concentrations of varying magnitudes, while in actuality this is not the case. At this point, it is unclear what percentage of a dose reaches eggs or sperm, and this question is further compounded by the fact that such over
the counter supplements are not required to be tested for accuracy of dosages.
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