Herbs to Your Health Update

Botanical medicine is increasingly becoming more popular. As clinical research continues to emerge, herbs will become commonplace in the home and in health care. Herbal remedies cannot be beat as excellent therapeutic alternatives that are very economical with virtually no side effects. Here is some of the recent research on the most popular herbals being used for good health.

GINSENG
It is available in three varieties, American, Korean and Siberian. Research continues on the therapeutic effects of Ginseng in areas such as energy and optimum performance, immune boosting and cerebrovascular health.

GARLIC
It is consistently shown to have more beneficial effects than any other singular herb. The latest breaking research continues to support allicin, the active compound that has been research in over 75 published studies in the past 12 months alone. Some of the benefits: lowering cholesterol, inhibiting tumor growth, reducing hypertension.

GINKGO BILOBA
This ancient herb is being rediscovered! Recent research published in late 1997 in the Journal of the American Medical Association found Ginkgo to be a safe and stable way to improve cognitive performance.

ECHINACEA
This immunostimulating herb is most popular during cold and flu season. When a combination of Echinacea and Goldenseal are administered, the sneezes disappear.

GOLDENSEAL
Considered one of the best antifungals and infection fighters, Goldenseal has also become increasingly popular during cold and flu season.

ST. JOHN’S WORT
Believe the HYPEricum! This natural answer to mild and moderate depression boosted sales of this herb over 11,000% of 1997 and received more press coverage than any other botanical. With this kind of growth, the makers of synthetic anti-depressants may become depressed.

SAW PALMETTO
For men’s health, the berries of the saw palmetto plant can’t be beat. The phytosterols in saw palmetto inhibit the reproduction of testosterone cells and protect against Benign Prostate Hypertrophy.

GRAPE SEED EXTRACT
Grape seed extract continues to wage war in the battle against oxidation. Not only do proanthocyanadins scavenge free radicals; they scavenged a huge part of the herbal market and a seat in the research spotlight for anti-aging benefits.

EVENING PRIMROSE
This rich source of essential fatty acids and phyto estrogens offers many women relief from menopausal and premenstrual symptoms. One of the best natural women’s products available.

LATEST JOURNAL REPORT:
Dietary supplement users: demographics, product use, and medical system interaction

BACKGROUND: Dietary supplements-defined as vitamins and minerals, herbal products, tissue extracts, proteins and amino acids, and other products-are purchased to improve health and prevent disease. Little has been published, however, about the characteristics of either the products or the people who use them.

METHODS: Consecutive customers visiting two health foods stores during a 15-day period were interviewed by telephone. They were asked about their use of dietary supplements, demographics, and their use of the established health care system.

RESULTS: Of the 194 customers contacted, 136 (70.1 percent) completed the survey. Respondents took a total of 805 supplements, most often to prevent a health problem (84.3 percent). Herbal products were most commonly used. Garlic, Ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba were the herbs most frequently used. Fifty products were found to have previously reported toxicities, including vitamin A, which 9 customers were taking in megadoses. Most customers were white (94.1 percent), female (75.7 percent), had at least one year of college education (70.6 percent), had health insurance (95.6 percent), and had a regular physician (85.3 percent).

CONCLUSION: Most of the dietary supplements consumed appear to be safe, but 50 of 805 had previously reported toxicities including megadoses of vitamin A. Garlic, Ginseng, and Ginkgo biloba were the most commonly ingested herbs, and the medical literature supports their effectiveness for some conditions in humans. Customers of two health food stores had average to above-average education and took dietary supplements to stay healthy. They used the conventional health care system but did not typically consult their physician about dietary supplements. The pattern of use suggests that physicians might not be adequately addressing preventive and wellness issues in discussions with their patients. Furthermore, physicians might need to learn about dietary supplements so they can communicate with patients about them.

Eliason BC; Kruger J; Mark D; Rasmann DN. Department of Family and Community Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA. J Am Board Fam Pract 1997 Jul-Aug; 10(4):265-71.



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