Why Keeping Secrets From Your Doctor About The Remedio You’re Taking Is Impacting Your Health
Latinxs and remedios go hand in hand like cafecito y pan. Many of us have had a tía, abuela, or mamá share their go-to home remedy or supplement to help an ailment. But as modern Latinxs, our cabinets aren’t just filled with home-brewed mixtures and supplements passed down from generations past; they are also filled with prescription medicines.
However, what many people don’t know is that not sharing these remedies with your doctor could harm you. Not telling your doctor you’re on garlic pills or drinking agua de jamaica by the gallon could impact the effects of the antibiotic you’ve been prescribed. Permanente Medicine notes that something as simple as grapefruit juice can affect how well your prescriptions work. That being said, sharing this information with your doctor could significantly impact your health.
It’s not about picking between pills and plantas, it’s about using an approach that honors both your choices
The matriarchs of our families had their traditional remedies, including herbs, teas, and oils, as well as rituals they’d follow before consulting a doctor or pharmacy. You might’ve heard of té de manzanilla or oregano for stomachaches, nettle leaf tea or raspberry leaf tea for menstrual cramps, and vapor rub for everything else.
These kinds of remedies aren’t just generational; they are cultural and tell the story of how our community learned to treat itself before the dawn of modern medicine. For many, these kinds of home treatments were an answer to a socioeconomic problem some Latinxs experienced growing up.
However, younger generations are now experiencing the divide and living between two worlds. They drink their cinnamon tea, Google their symptoms, think about their doctor’s recommendations and ask mamá what they should do. This is a reflection of their cultural experiences: they are de aquí y de allá.
Sharing this information with with a medical professional can be tough for many Latinxs due to mistrust of the medical system or even shame
There’s a fear of judgment from the doctors who wouldn’t understand why our abuelas held a sort of religious reverence for té de jamaica. Language and cultural barriers can make things even more difficult.
Many health conditions common in Latino communities—like diabetes, high blood pressure, and mental health struggles—can go unnoticed or worsen if symptoms, habits, or concerns aren’t fully shared. Cultural stigma, fear of judgment, or language barriers can make it harder to speak openly, but being upfront helps doctors provide care that’s tailored to each person’s real needs. Trusting the process and speaking honestly is one of the most powerful steps Latinx can take to protect their health and the well-being of their families. But it is important to be transparent with your doctors. If there isn’t a level of trust, it may be time to interview a new physician and switch doctors.
Not telling your doctor what supplements or home remedies you’re taking could land you in the emergency room
Yale New Haven Health cites a study that found the “adverse effects of supplements were responsible for an average of about 23,000 emergency department visits per year.” That’s no small number.
Brittany Langdon, PharmD, a pharmacist, tells the publication, “A number of supplements can enhance, diminish, or negate a prescription drug in ways that can be consequential and unpredictable.”
“Many supplements can contain ineffective or harmful ingredients, especially if combined with prescription drugs,” Langdon continued.
She explained how the supplements and home remedies we take can affect the ADME of the medication which refers to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the medication. Not speaking up can harm someone’s health and also drive up medical costs overall.
Another factor to consider is that some supplements may not be regulated by the FDA. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act notes that the FDA “does not have the authority” to review the safety or efficacy of any dietary supplement. In other words, the companies that oversee how well something works are the ones that sell those products and make them available to the public, not the government.
Here’s one way to start the conversation with your doctor
Sometimes all you need is a small conversation starter. It can be as simple as bringing the supplement or tea you are drinking to your next appointment. This way, it’s easier for your physician to see what ingredients are actually in whatever you are taking.
Once you’ve opened up this avenue of communication, your doctor can also help you navigate the supplements aisle as well as the remedios your family has passed down.
