Herbal Supplements Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Herbal Supplements With High Quality Ingredients

By Veronica Tripplethorn

For centuries, people from all over the world have trusted herbal remedies to increase overall health, vitality and life expectancy. While their popularity decreased with the advances in scientific medicine, many people are making a return to natural herbal remedies to treat illness and improve their quality of life.

However, there are certain facts you should know when choosing herbal supplements to avoid risking your health and wasting your money.

Buying Only Safe And Effective Medicinal Herbs

It’s important to know that regulations for medicinal herbs are not as stringent as those for prescription and over-the-counter drugs. A manufacturer of herbal products does not have to prove a product’s safety and effectiveness before it is marketed. To get safe and effective medicinal herbs, only buy herbs from a reputable manufacturer, know the dosage and purity of the product, know the active ingredient you are taking, and be aware of possible side effects.

The label should also tell you if the product is not safe for pregnant women and for people with chronic conditions. If you use vitamins or herbal supplements, then be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist, especially if you are pregnant, planning to be or if you are breastfeeding. Some could interfere with your prescribed treatment. Be wary of products that make outrageous promises. There is no miracle cure to any ailment.

Cayenne And Chamomile

Herbal supplements can be used for treating common ailments. Cayenne is believed to increase blood flow to ease headaches and migraines. Chamomile is known for relieving stomach distress, calming nerves, fighting infection, speeding the healing process and preventing ulcers. Chamomile is usually taken as a herbal tea. Garlic is a strong natural antibiotic in chopped or chewed form as long as you don’t mind the taste!

It helps reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Ginseng is used to increase stamina, provide liver protection from harmful substances, and to stimulate the immune system. Spearmint and peppermint are wonderful for providing indigestion relief and can be enjoyed in herbal teas or by placing a handful of dried leaves in a cloth bag and putting it in your bathwater.

Vitamin C And Vitamin E Work Well Together

Some medical research has shown that herbs work best when they are used with complementary products. For example, vitamin E, an important antioxidant, needs vitamin C in order to function properly. These two vitamins work much more effectively together than on their own. Vitamin E is also believed to become more effective when grouped with red clover and green tea extract.

These antioxidants working together are much more beneficial for warding off cancer and illness than vitamin E on its own. However, never mix herbal medicines with traditional medicines unless you consult a doctor or pharmacist first.

Some Herbal Ingredients Are Banned In Some Countries

While herbal supplements can significantly improve your health, consumers must review their options and exercise extra caution when purchasing these products. The herbal ingredients kava and lobelia, and supplements containing aristolochic acid are all banned in some countries, but the FDA has only issued public warnings.

St. John’s wort, often marketed as a herbal anti-depressant, may interfere with birth control pills, a medicine used to treat HIV, and other prescription medications. While the FDA has issued alerts, it hasn’t required warning labels on the products. As a result, some brands bear warnings while others do not.

To protect yourself, thoroughly familiarize yourself with a herb before you begin taking it. It is the safest way to protect your health and get the benefits of herb therapy.

This Article was about Herbal Supplements.

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.

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...

What do I need to grow a herb garden?
The first thing you need is either a patch of land or a container. Many people elect to grow their herbs in containers because it makes it easier to harvest and keep weeded. You will need the herb seeds or transplants and you will need soil.

When you are preparing the soil you may want to add in some fertilizer to ensure that the herb gets the proper nutrients. If you are growing a herb in a container, you can buy nutrient sticks that will contain all of the food that the herb needs. The next thing you need is water and sunlight.

Most herbs can grow in weak sunlight so a windowsill can often make a great place for a herb container garden. The best part is that herbs take up little space and you can grow several different varieties in the same container.