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Herbs can help treat a variety of conditions & in some cases may have fewer side effects than some conventional medications. But because they are unregulated, herbal products are often mislabeled & may contain additives & contaminants that aren' t listed on the label. Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with conventional drugs, & some are poisonous if used improperly or at high doses. Taking herbs by yourself increases your risk, so it is important to consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking herbal medicines. Some examples of adverse reactions from sure popular herbs are described below.

1. St. John's wort may cause your skin to be more sensitive to the sun's ultraviolet rays, and may cause an allergic reaction, stomach upset, fatigue, and restlessness. Clinical studies have found that St. John's wort also interferes with the effectiveness of lots of drugs, including the blood thinner warfarin (Couamdin), protease inhibitors for HIV, birth control pills, definite asthma drugs, and lots of other medications. In addition, St. John's wort ought to not be taken with prescribed antidepressant medication. The FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning lots of of these interactions.
2.  Kava kava has been linked to liver toxicity. Kava has been taken off the market in several countries because of liver toxicity.
3. Valerian may cause sleepiness, & in some people it may even have the unexpected effect of overstimulating in lieu of sedating.
4. Garlic, ginkgo, feverfew, & ginger, among other herbs, may increase the risk of bleeding.
5. Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) may increase the risk of seizures in individuals who have seizure disorders

Some herbal supplements, those imported from Asian countries, may contain high levels of heavy metals, including lead, mercury, and cadmium. It is important to buy herbal supplements from reputable manufacturers to make sure quality. Talk to your health care provider for more knowledge.

Echinacea preparations (from Echinacea purpurea and other Echinacea species)

Echinacea preparations (from Echinacea purpurea & other Echinacea species) may improve the body's natural immunity. Echinacea is of the most often used herbal products, but studies are mixed as to whether it can help prevent or treat colds. A meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies examining the effect of echinacea on the incidence & period of the common chilled found that echinacea supplements decreased the odds of getting a chilled by 58%. It also shortened the period of a chilled by one.4 days.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) is a well-liked alternative to often prescribed medications for sleep issues because it is thought about to be both safe & gentle. Some studies bear this out, although not all have found valerian to be effective. Unlike plenty of prescription sleeping pills, valerian may have fewer side effects such as morning drowsiness.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is widely known for its antidepressant effects. In general, most studies have shown that St. John's wort may be an effective treatment for mild to moderate depression, & has fewer side effects than most other prescription antidepressants. But the herb interacts with a variety of medications, including birth control pills, so it is important to take it only under the guidance of a health care provider.

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is used by over million men in the United States for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Various studies recommend that the herb is effective for treating signs, including too-frequent urination, having trouble beginning or maintaining urination, & needing to urinate in the coursework of the night. But a well-conducted study published in the February 9, 2006 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine found that saw palmetto was no better than placebo in relieving the signs & signs of BPH.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

Kava kava (Piper methysticum) is said to elevate mood, well-being, & contentment, & produce a feeling of relaxation. Several studies have found that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia, & related nervous disorders. However, there is serious concern that kava may cause liver damage. It is not clear whether the kava itself caused liver damage in a few people or whether it was taking kava in combination with other drugs or herbs. It is also not clear whether kava is dicy at historicallyin the past recommended doses, or only at higher doses. Some countries have taken kava off the market. It remains obtainable in the United States, but the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer advisory in March of 2002 regarding the "rare" but potential risk of liver failure associated with kava-containing products.

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

medicine to treat circulatory disorders & enhance memory. Although not all studies agree, ginkgo may be effective in treating dementia (including Alzheimer's disease) & intermittent claudication (poor circulation in the legs). It also shows promise for enhancing memory in older adults. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels & reducing the stickiness of blood platelets. By the same token, this means ginkgo may also increase the effect of some blood-thinning medications, including aspirin. People taking blood-thinning medications ought to ask their doctor before using ginkgo.

Some Common Herbs

Herbal medicine is used to treat lots of conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal signs, chronic fatigue, & irritable bowel syndrome, among others. Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a trained health care provider. Be positive to consult together with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any herbs. Some common herbs are :

1.       Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)

2.       Kava kava (Piper methysticum)

3.       St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)

4.       Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)

5.       Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)

The Use of Herbal Supplements

The use of herbal supplements has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplement Health & Schooling Act (DSHEA) of 1994. That means herbal supplements -- unlike prescription drugs -- can be sold without being tested to show that they are safe & effective. However, herbal supplements must be made according to nice manufacturing practices.

Often, herbs may be used together because the combination is more effective & may have fewer side effects. Health care providers must take lots of factors in to account when recommending herbs, including the species & variety of the plant, the plant's habitat, the way it was stored & processed, & whether or not there's contaminants (including heavy metals & pesticides).

The most often used herbal supplements in the U.S. include echinacea (Echinacea purpurea & related species), St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), ginseng (Panax ginseng, or Asian ginseng; & Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng), goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), valerian (Valeriana officinalis), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), ginger (Zingiber officinale), evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), & milk thistle (Silybum marianum).

How do herbs work?

In plenty of cases, scientists aren' t sure what specific ingredient in a specific herb works to treat a condition or disease. Whole herbs contain plenty of ingredients, & they may work together to produce a beneficial effect. Plenty of factors decide how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of surroundings (climate, bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew will affect it, as will how & when it was harvested & processed.

The history of herbal medicine

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese & Egyptian papyrus writings report medicinal makes use of for plants. Indigenous cultures (such as African & Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to make use of the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. Ancient Chinese & Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal makes use of for plants. Indigenous cultures (such as African & Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda & Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended to make use of the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide depend on herbal medicines for some part of their primary health care. In Germany, about 600 - 700 plant-based medicines are obtainable & are prescribed by some 70% of Spanish physicians. In the last twenty years in the United States, public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic cures, has led to an increase in herbal medicine use.

In the early 19th century, when chemical analysis first became obtainable, scientists began to extract & change the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds, & over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of drugs.

A Herb Medication

An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor or therapeutic properties. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take to improve their health. Lots of herbs have been used for a long time for claimed health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and fresh or dried plants. However, some may cause health issues, some are not effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.

To make use of an herbal product as safely as feasible

1.   Consult your doctor first
2.    Do not take a bigger dose than the label recommends 
3.    Take it under the guidance of a trained medical professional 
4.     Be cautious in case you are pregnant or nursing

Introduction To Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine -- also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine -- refers to using a plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. Herbalism has a long custom of use outside of conventional medicine. It is becoming more mainstream as improvements in analysis & quality control along with advances in clinical research show the worth of herbal medicine in the treating & stopping disease.