American doctors have examined the potential risks of over-the-counter herbal products due to their impact on the immune systems of patients with autoimmune conditions such as dermatomyositis:
- their conclusions are based on a literature review that identified fifteen substances proven (in humans, animals, or cell models) to have an immunostimulatory effect;
- these non-pharmaceutical products are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as conventional drugs,
- they are therefore widely used for self-medication, particularly in the United States, to boost immunity,
- examples include spirulina, ginseng, garlic, and green tea extracts,
In patients with chronic autoimmune diseases, these substances can trigger an exacerbation of disease flare-ups, hence this serious warning.
