JAMA : the journal of the American Medical Association
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Widespread use of herbal medications among the presurgical population may have a negative impact on perioperative patient care. ⋯ During the preoperative evaluation, physicians should explicitly elicit and document a history of herbal medication use. Physicians should be familiar with the potential perioperative effects of the commonly used herbal medications to prevent, recognize, and treat potentially serious problems associated with their use and discontinuation.