I regularly proclaim the many benefits of using herbs as medicines. Readers may recall my view that herbal medicine use is well within the reach of most people, so long as they approach it with care and respect certain rules to ensure their own safety.

Indeed, one of the major themes throughout the Herb Health Guide site is safety. Accordingly, I posted a reasonably long list of herbs I regard as potentially hazardous and which I specifically warn against taking orally. That is, I warn against taking the herb by mouth, even though they may be very useful when applied topically.

A good example of a herb to avoid taking orally is ipecac (cephaelis ipecacuanha). Why do I say this? Simply because it causes quite profound nausea and vomiting, which is most unpleasant and can result in dehydration and, in extreme cases, can even traumatize the esophagus.

Yet this rule of avoiding ipecac is one that is regularly broken. Happily, not by abusers of the herb, for very few people would feel inclined to repeat a dose of ipecac too willingly. No, the rule is broken under clinical supervision by health professionals who actually have sound reasons for wanting to induce vomiting.

Clearly breaking my rule knowingly is quite acceptable if it is done for sound reasons and under the supervision of knowledgeable health professionals. Regrettably, sometimes people swallow substances they shouldn't and it is sometimes necessary to help them vomit the substances for their own protection. For this purpose ipecac is without peers.

Remember that not all dangerous substances when swallowed should be remedied by inducing vomiting. In some cases this would simply compound the problem by passing highly damaging substances back over the esophagus.

It is also very important to use ipecac in a somewhat controlled environment, such as a hospital or health center, because a severe reaction to the herb may result in a need for fluid replacement by infusion. This is especially the case with children who, unfortunately, are often the ones who have swallowed harmful substances.

So, the bottom line is this. Follow the rules for the safe use of herbs and do not break them unless under direct professional supervision. Ipecac is one herb that should generally not be taken, but may sometimes be used with appropriate care on health professional advice.