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| Your Whole Health Herbal Primer by Carol O'Sullivan The potent power of herbs: From A to Z, Mother Nature offers a bounty of herbal options. More and more people all over the world are using herbal products to enhance their health. This explosion in herb use is partially due to the scientific community's renewed interest in herbal medicine, says Michael Murray, N.D., in his book The Healing Power of Herbs (Prima). For example, the British Medical Journal (August 1996) reported that the herb St. John's wort had, as of the time of the review, undergone 23 randomized double-blind studies for treatment of depression. Many herbs are believed to be clinically effective for treating acute illnesses -- those that come on suddenly and are short-lived -- and chronic illnesses -- those that recur frequently and last a long time, says herbalist Daniel Gagnon of Santa Fe. "Acute colds and flu respond to echinacea (Echinacea angustifiolia), and usnea (Usnea barbata) helps get rid of strep throat," Gagnon says. Arthritis, a chronic illness, is often treated successfully with devil's claw (Harpagophytum procumbens), which may be as effective as cortisone for resolving pain and inflammation and doesn't have cortisone's dangerous side effects, such as thinning of the skin, he adds. Why do many health practitioners prefer herbs to pharmaceutical medicines? One reason is the holistic way in which herbal therapy approaches health problems. "Herbs work with the immune system to help the body fight illness and ward off future problems," Gagnon says. "On the other hand, pharmaceuticals act to support the immune system and work only in the immediate situation." An example is echinacea, which stimulates the immune system to fight current infection and conditions it to respond more aggressively the next time your body encounters the same bugs. Antibiotics, however, skirt the immune system to kill intruders, Gagnon says. You may think that because herbs are lovely, fragrant plants we grow in our gardens and sprinkle into spaghetti sauce to boost its flavor, they can't be powerful medicines. But consider this: More than 25 percent of all prescription drugs in the United States have active constituents obtained from plants. These include Digoxin, a heart stimulant obtained from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); vincristine sulfate, a cancer treatment obtained from the periwinkle plant (Vinca minoric herba); and morphine, a powerful pain reliever obtained from opium poppies. Because herbs are potent medicines, some can have side effects -- though far fewer than pharmaceuticals -- and should be used with caution. It's wise to consult a health practitioner before beginning any herb program. And if you're pregnant, lactating or using prescription medicine, consultation with an expert is imperative. Herbal products come in many forms. Capsules and tablets are convenient and allow you to avoid tasting the herb. Teas can be made by steeping one ounce of dried leaves, flowers and stems in a pint of boiled, hot water and brewing for 15 minutes. Tinctures are herbal remedies made by combining powdered or finely cut herbs with alcohol or water. Terms you might want to become familiar with before beginning an herbal program are "standardized" and "guaranteed potency." According to Gagnon, standardized means the product contains a specific amount of the herb's constituent. Guaranteed potency means the product contains a minimum amount of a constituent but may contain more than that amount. Gagnon suggests that if you're beginning an herbal program, start simply. "Starting with one or two herbs is best," he says. "If you begin with more than that, you'll have trouble determining which ones are producing results." More info Case Study: Diagnosing Lisa Herbs for Good Health Herbal Health Co. Ltd. Farran Business Park, Ardagh, Co. Limerick. Ireland. Tel: 00 353 69 76005 - Fax: 00 353 69 76042 Email: info@herbalhealthforyou.com |