Frequently asked questions
Please click on the product name below to view FAQ sections:
African Ginger - Tablets
Sutherlandia - Tablets
Warburgia - Tablets
Tension Headache - Capsules
Sutherlandia - Gel
Cough and cold - Syrup
Cystemme - Capsules
Tension headache treatment
Q: What is a tension headache?
A: A tension headache is the usual cause of a bilateral, non pulsatile headache, sometimes with scalp muscle tenderness, but without vomiting or sensitivity to head movement. It is usually caused by stress and may be associated with a depressed mood. Tension headache is often described as feeling like a tight band around the head.
Q: Will the capsule help with other symptoms / indications other than a headache e.g. back pain, menstrual pain etc?
A: This product has been specifically formulated for tension headache. However, Devil’s Claw and African Ginger have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, which may be used for other indications besides tension headache.
Q: Will the capsule help with muscle and joint aches and pains?
A: Yes. Devil’s Claw, as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic, can help to reduce the pain associated with osteoarthritis and increase mobility.
Q: Can I take the capsule in conjunction with antibiotics?
A: Yes.
Q: I have heard that Devils Claw has a laxative effect, is this true?
A: Devil’s Claw, in considerably higher doses than used in the capsule, can sometimes have a mild laxative effect. There is no laxative effect from the doses used in this product.
Q: Has any research/trials been done to prove that the product works?
A: The specific formulation of the product has not yet been studied in clinical trials. Nonetheless it is highly effective, with strong, convergent reports of efficacy from people taking it. Devil’s Claw, a key ingredient in the capsule, has been the subject of clinical trials, which have proven the safety and anti-inflammatory and analgesic (pain-relieving) activities of this natural medicine.
Q: Can I take the headache capsule if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?
A: Thebe Natural Medicines does not recommend the use of any herbal products in pregnancy without a doctor’s advice.
Q: Can I take the capsule if I am on the contraceptive pill?
A: Yes.
Q: Can I take it if I am a diabetic?
A: Yes.
Q: Can children take the headache capsule? From what age?
A: The product has been designed for adults, but children aged 10 and upwards could take one capsule twice a day.
Q: Is there any contra indication with anti-depressants given Uzara is supposed to have SSRI activity?
A: No. The dose of Uzara is low, and the SSRI activity is only preliminary, and from laboratory studies, not from animal or human studies. Much more research needs to be done to understand the pharmacology of Uzara.
Q: Is the product safe? Why should I rather take your product and not another analgesic or other headache pill?
A: The product is entirely natural with an excellent safety profile, specifically designed for people who would like a safe, but effective natural alternative to chemical drugs. It is a well established fact that that 10-20 Paracetamol tablets can cause fatal liver failure.
Q: Why is Uzara included in the Tension Headache formulation?
A: Uzara was included in the formulation as it has a long history of use for treating headache, and indeed is very rapidly acting. It has a rapid onset of action in anxiety states and also in stressful situations. In indigenous African medicine it is used as a sedative to treat hysteria, for example. As with most indigenous African medicinal plants the scientific mechanism of action is not yet known, but because it is known to be CNS active, the plant is now receiving more research attention. In vitro studies have demonstrated its effect on serotonin re-uptake transport protein, but its effect in vivo is still under research.
Q: Can the Tension Headache product be used for dysmennorhoea?
A: Yes, the ingredients of the Tension Headache product have been traditionally used for dysmennorhoea. There is also scientific evidence to support the use of African Ginger and Devil’s Claw as analgesics for menstrual pain.
Q: Often when people detox they suffer from a headache – will the Tension Headache capsules help with this sort of headache?
A: Yes, it should help as it has quite a broad activity. In some cases the detox headache is from caffeine withdrawal.
Q: Can someone take the capsules if they have epilepsy?
A: Yes. The botanical ingredients are not stimulants, and there are no known interactions with epileptic medication.
Q: Can a haemophiliac take the capsules?
A: We regret that there is no scientific information available to be able to answer this. We would therefore not recommend that a haemophiliac take the Tension Headache capsules, unless under strict supervision by their doctor or other registered healthcare professional, with the knowledge that it can increase their bleeding tendency.
Q: Can the capsules be taken in conjunction with Warfarin?
A: There is no scientific information available. We do not recommend a person on Warfarin therapy to take the Tension Headache capsules (unless under strict supervision by their doctor or other registered healthcare professional) as it could increase their bleeding tendency, which could be potentially harmful.
Q: Can I take the Tension Headache capsules if I am planning on undergoing elective surgery?
A: If you are planning on undergoing elective surgery we would recommend that you do not take any Tension Headache capsules for at least two weeks before the surgery, as it may increase the amount of bleeding during the operation.
Q: Is the Devil's Claw contra indicated with ulcers?
A: No. Originally the German regulatory authorities recommended this, before it was discovered that the type of anti-inflammatory activity in Devil’s Claw is different (it is COX2) to that causing ulcers.
Q: The Tension Headache capsules are very bright, are these “natural”?
A: Although we have used very unnatural and bright colours (blue and orange) for the capsules, the colourants are not harmful in any way. The capsules are vegetarian and are made to pharmaceutical grade and are of a high quality. If you do not wish to swallow the capsules, you can open the capsule and drink the powdered contents with some water or juice.
Q: Are the capsules of the Tension Headache product vegetarian?
A: Yes. The capsules have not been made with any animal products or animal by-products.
Q: Can I overdose on the capsule? What is the maximum dosage I can take?
A: There is no scientific information on accidental or deliberate overdose. The maximum dosage would be double the recommended dose on the package.
Q: Can I take it on an empty stomach?
A: Yes.
Q: How long will it take before the capsule takes effect?
A: 10-15 minutes on an empty stomach, 15-20 minutes if taken with food.
Q: How long will the pain relief last for?
A: This depends on the severity of the pain. At least 4 -6 hours, perhaps longer with a dose of two capsules.
Q: The Tension Headache product did not relieve my headache. Why?
A: This product has been formulated for the relief of tension headaches. If there is another cause for the headache, it may not provide relief for the headache symptoms. If the headache persists or recurs, please consult your healthcare practitioner to evaluate the cause of your headache.
If you take a large number or dose of analgesics regularly, you may find that the Phyto Nova Tension Headache product is not strong enough. Please consult with your healthcare practitioner before increasing the dosage, or combining it with other analgesics.
Q: Will the capsule make me drowsy? Or the opposite, will it keep me awake if I take it at night?
A: At the recommended doses the product will not make one drowsy, and it will not keep one awake at night.
Q: Can the capsule be taken for migraines?
A: The product has been specifically developed for ordinary and tension headaches, not for migraine. Nonetheless, it could be tried by migraine sufferers, because it does have pain-relieving activity.
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