Herbal Medicine Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Herbal Medicine Is Increasing In Popularity

By Veronica Tripplethorn

Times have changed and many people are trying to return to a more natural way of life. The sale of herbal medicines, also called botanical medicines, has exploded in the last five years. Instead of turning to pharmaceuticals, many people are opting for plants seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal purposes.

The use of herbal medicine is becoming common and medical research reveals that there is significant value for the treatment and prevention of disease.

Herbal Teas, Syrups, Oils, And Liquid Herbal Extracts

Herbal medicine is available in several different forms, such as herbal teas, syrups, oils, liquid herbal extracts, tinctures, and dry extracts in the form of a herbal supplement. Teas come in a wide variety and are simply dried herbs left to soak for a few minutes in hot water, while other teas are the herbs boiled in water and then strained for consumption.

Syrups, made from concentrated extracts and added to sweet-tasting preparations, are frequently used for sore throats and coughs. Oils are extracted from plants and often used as rubs for massage, either alone or as part of an ointment or cream. Tinctures and liquid extracts are solvents (usually water, alcohol or glycerol) that contain the active ingredients of the herbs.

Tinctures And Liquid Extracts

Tinctures are typically a 1:5 or 1:10 concentration, meaning that one part of the herbal material is prepared with five to ten parts (by weight) of the liquid. Liquid extracts are more concentrated than tinctures and are typically a 1:1 concentration. A dry extract form is the most concentrated form of an herbal product and is sold as a tablet, capsule or lozenge.

Ginkgo biloba seems to be the herb that kicked off the renaissance in herbal medicines. Gingko is a standardized extract known as EGb 761, and is believed to improvement awareness, judgment and social function in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Randomized controlled studies assessing the use of ginkgo supplements for Alzheimer's disease in individuals older than 65 years have produced positive results.

Echinacea For The Common Cold

The most commonly used herbal supplements in the U.S. include echinacea to reduce the risk of getting the common cold and shortens its duration, St. John's wort for treating mild to moderate depression, garlic to reduce blood cholesterol levels and to lower the risk of heart disease, and ginger to relieve nausea and vomiting. Saw palmetto, ginseng, goldenseal, valerian, kava, chamomile feverfew, evening primrose and milk thistle are also very popular.

Herbal medicines can have serious side effects when not used properly. Kava kava is commonly used to treat anxiety, but recent reports have traced liver damage back to this herb. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a warning regarding its use, while other countries, such as Germany, France and Canada, have taken kava off of the market.

Standardized Herbal Supplements

Saw palmetto is used by millions of men for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia. However, the pharmaceutical drug finasteride provides similar results with fewer side effects. Standardized herbal supplements are the best way to ensure proper dosages and effects similar to human clinical trials. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which herbal supplements are the best choice for your health concerns.

St. John's wort causes sensitivity to the sun's ultraviolet rays, and may cause an allergic reaction, stomach upset, fatigue and restlessness. Clinical studies report that St. John's wort also interferes with the effectiveness of many drugs, including warfarin, protease inhibitors for HIV, birth control pills, certain asthma drugs, and many other medications. In addition, St. John's wort should not be taken with prescribed anti-depressant medication. The FDA has issued a public health advisory concerning many of these interactions.

Care Should Be Taken With Herbs

You would never take a pharmaceutical drug without carefully reading the label and knowing what the effects will be. The same care should be taken with herbs. While herbal remedies have been widely used for many years and may be useful for self-treating minor illnesses, you should review your options and take care not to exceed the recommended doses.

Consult an herbalist and a doctor if you intend to use an herbal medicine, and keep track of the effects. Herbs can be a good way to promote good health, but make sure that you do it safely.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for general information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Herbal Medicine.

About the Author:
Veronica Tripplethorn is an author of health, nutrition, dieting and weight loss articles including Celiac Disease, Holistic Health, Hollywood 48-Hour Miracle Diet, Massage Therapy.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About Herbs...

How are herbs used in medicine?
Herbs have long been a part of medical history. A trip to the drugstore still shows how important a part herbs play in the treatment of many ailments. Echinacea is an herb that is used to treat infections. Many people also take this herb as a way to treat colds and respiratory tract infections.

Dong Quai has long been used to treat women who are having irregular menstrual cycles and is reportedly to be great at helping women through menopause by correcting their hot flashes.

The herb Kava Kava has many uses. It can be used as a sedative and has a muscle relaxing effect. It can also help treat pains in the joints as well as toothaches. There are hundreds of different herbs that can be used to help treat certain illnesses and ailments.