When Does an Herbal Supplement Become a Drug?
By Abdul Moiz
Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years. Herbs are grown, harvested and then dried under specific conditions to have the optimum amount of properties available for use. Whole herbs have many advantages for use in herbal remedies. Whole herbs not only contain chemicals that have the healing properties it is used for; but also contains vitamins, minerals, and many other things that act as buffers.
This makes whole herbs by themselves very safe to take with also little to no side effects. Herbal properties are so effective that about 70% of prescriptions are derived from the medicinal properties of herbs. In recent years research into herbal properties have also led to extracts of certain herbs chemical properties. This then poses the question: When does an herbal supplement become a drug?
Herbalism is a holistic modality that uses combinations of herbs to treat a specific ailment. Holistic modalities get their name because they treat a person as a whole. Treating as a whole means to take the whole person into consideration, treating root causes, and using herbs that match your constitution as well as treating the ailment & symptoms. This wholeism has always extended to using the whole herb up until rather recently. Pharmaceuticals are quite opposite and considered reductionism as opposed to holistic. Reductionism is isolating chemicals found in botanical and other sources to be used by themselves and in a very concentrated form. This is what makes prescription drugs necessary for doctor supervision because dosages need to be carefully calculated due to the potential harmful effects of overuse and side-effects.
Comfrey is a well know western herb that is almost second to none in its usages to repair skin, moisten the lung, and as an anti-inflammatory. Since this herb contains traces of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, that are found to be harmful to the liver, this herb brings some controversy to the table when using. Before this controversy was ever found out the herb was only ever used for shorter durations and really only as needed. However, not only does this herb not only completely out weigh its remote chances of harm for how extremely well the herb works, but using the herb as a whole still contains all of its natural buffers like: tannins, oils, starch, etc. For any real harmful effects not only would you have to have an almost failing liver, but you would also need to take this herb in such high and concentrated amounts over a long period of time to do further damage.
Ma Huang is another very valuable herb to the Chinese Herbalist. In the west we know Ma Huang as Ephedra, the name of the chemicals (ephedrine) in the herb. Here is an invaluable herb that has not one single report of fatal side-effects in its 2500 year recorded usage. Herbally we use Ma Huang and its strong stimulant properties in a controlled manner for asthma and to help with inducing sweating during early stages of a cold. These strong stimulants were researched and then the chemicals were extracted into concentrated amounts and sold as diet pills! This herbs has NEVER been used for weight loss, yet in concentrated form there were reports of palpitations and other heart/blood related problems with even a couple accounts of fatalities (in people with preexisting heart conditions). This raised quite a buzz, but the many deaths yearly from pharmaceuticals seem to make it on page 12 of the paper. A big mess that could have possibly been avoided had we kept the holistic outlook of herbs.
Currently herbs come in 2 different forms. The first form of concentration is the manufacturing company using chemical markers to isolate certain chemicals to ensure a specific concentration of the ‘effective’ parts of the herbs. These are the closest forms of pharmaceuticals and also the most widely used form. As you browse your health food store you will see most of the bottles of capsules are talking about how concentrated they are, and many will tell you the standard concentration used. The second form of concentration is reducing herbs down into whole concentrations. The most common of which is 5:1, as in taking 5 pounds of herb and ending up with 1 pound. The basis of this concentration is for ease of use, as if the herbs have been pre-decocted for you. This form of concentration is mainly used by herbalists to make formulations or used in herbal formulations. For example a big company will catch on to the trend that Gingko Biloba increases circulation to the brain and therefore has been found effective for memory. These companies will manufacture strong concentrations of the herb and make tablets with them. Herbalist or companies ran by herbalists will use Gingko in a formula along with other herbs used for focus, brain circulation, and memory. These herbalist ran companies will use concentrations when needed and in most cases will use a whole herb extract of 5:1 or 10:1 extracts.
Herbs have the advantage of giving us thousands of years of empirical evidence on what function and effects we can expect from them. There are even some skeptics on those using whole herb reductions even in a 5:1 concentration. Some herbalists find that a few thousand years of empirical advantage over a decade or so over researched uses of concentrations. However, we can’t be stubborn in not accepting possible advances in herbal knowledge. When taking prescription medicine I don’t feel the need to worry about dosage and concentrations as I listen to my doctor’s advice. Therefore when taking herbal supplements and especially herbal remedies I always use a brand that is ran by herbalists. I can expect their advice and dosages are made based on education and experience.
Sean is a Chinese and Western Herbalist and formulates for Dimmak Herbs. Visit Dimmak Herbs for Herbal Remedies that are made by herbalists and made with you in mind. To keep up daily with herbal and health tips visit Blog of Herbs & Health. Find Natural Pet Products here as well.
Devils Claw. Miracle medicine for Arthritis, or simply the Placebo Effect.
By Kevin Phillips
Devils Claw gets its designation from the “hooks” that cover up the fruits skin, allowing the species to extend. Devils Claw, native to Southern Africa, derives its name from the herbs claw like fruit, which are attached to their trumpet shaped flower. The effective ingredients in Devils Claw are thought to comprise of iridoid glycosides, additionally accepted as harpogosides. The extract of Harpagophytum procumbens, generally utilized in Europe and, more recently, in other countries, is traditionally indicated to treat inflammatory processes.
You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any supplementation course, or if you have or suspect you might have a wellbeing problem. In theory, devil’s claw may interfere with other herbs and nutritional supplements that involve heart rhythm, heart rate, and the intensity of heartbeats. Devils claw may well add to the effects of herbs and food supplements that are used for pain or swelling.
Devil’s Claw is additionally claimed to be beneficial for treating diseases of the liver, kidneys, arthritis and rheumatism, gallbladder and bladder. It does not contain an odour, but it contains substances that make it taste bitter.
The British Herbal Pharmacopeia recognizes Devil’s Claw as having analgesic, sedative and diuretic properties. A French double-blind randomized analysis compared a devils claw preparation and an anti-inflammatory agent in 122 patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis over a period of 4 months. The instrument of action of Devils claw herb is still ambiguous and disputed. A separate 2006 systematic evaluation of herbal medications for low back pain reached the assumption that a consistent daily dose between 50 and 100 mg of harpagoside performed better than a placebo, Another analysis found that devil’s claw supplementation was effective in patients with rheumatic diseases. The clinical statistics on Devils Claw though is very promising.
Devils claw is available as dried or fresh root supplements and is found in capsules, tablets, liquid extracts, and topical ointments, and can occasionally be prepared into a herbal tea, although it will taste bitter.
If arthritic pain is bothering you, devil’s claw might be your best friend. In combination with suitable diet, work out, relaxation techniques such as contemplation, yoga etc. and dietary supplements, this herb can be incredibly effectual in keeping rheumatic conditions under control the natural way.
Devils claw is short on side effects. Patients from time to time experience mild anxiety such as stomach cramps.
Dangers of this supplement:
1) Devil’s claw must not be used by people who are or may well be pregnant.
2) People with diabetes or who are taking medication that affects their blood sugar must only use devil’s claw under the supervision of a experienced health practitioner.
3) Devil’s claw has been identified to trigger an allergic response.
4) Because it increases stomach acidity levels, devil’s claw can have dangerous side-effects for individuals with gastric or duodenal ulcers and those with gallstone problems.
5) Devil’s claw may interact with a blood-thinning medicine called warfarin.
Remember, Devils Claw has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity, or any other international medical body. Take at your own risk without medical advice.
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Colon Cleanse the Movement You Like
By Gregg Forscher
Most of the time, we tend to eat foods that are harmful to our bodies. The reason why they are harmful is because of free radicals and other toxins that are present in them. One of the ways that you can get rid of those harmful elements is to go through a procedure called colon cleanse. After all, having a clean body is not enough. You need to make sure that your insides are also clean to ensure that you are healthy.
The importance of colon cleansing
A colon cleanse procedure is essential for good and even for better health. Without this, your body stores those toxins into your system, which can cause health problems like constipation, being overweight, candida, allergies, headaches, depression, anxiety, heart burn, fatigue, and other diseases and health concerns.
Fiber is natures broom
To avoid these health concerns, you are usually required to take in lots of fiber to promote regular bowel movement. Fiber can come in the form of green and leafy vegetables as well as oats. This is one way that you can cleanse your colon and free the harmful toxins that can get stored into your system.
Other means to promote bowel movement
Not all people can enjoy eating healthily and most of the time, the foods we love to eat nowadays have insufficient or no fiber at all. So, laxatives and enemas are the ones being recommended to those people. However, while those forms of colon cleanse methods may be helpful at first, they can cause further problems in the long run if misused.
Do not turn the enema into your enemy
Enemas are effective if administered correctly and used occasionally. If you use it wrongly, they can damage the lower area of your colon and lose elasticity. Enemas are usually prescribed by doctors to treat severe constipation so make sure that you follow instructions carefully and never use tap water with it. Otherwise, it can destroy the good bacteria in your colon, cause rectal bleeding, and even death.
Fighting constipation with laxatives
Nowadays, laxatives are not merely used for cleansing your colon anymore or for relieving constipation but they are also known to be helpful for weight loss. Because of this, users tend to abuse the purpose of laxatives, which can lead to problems like more constipation once you stop using it, headaches, restlessness, insomnia, and more. If you are taking laxatives, make sure that you drink lots of water because not doing so puts you in the risk for dehydration.
Going natural
Perhaps you have stumbled across products that claim to have natural ingredients to promote an all-natural colon cleansing procedure in your system. While some of these all-natural products may seem effective, be careful of the ones with ingredients like senna, rhubarb, and cascara sagrada. These are known as anthraquinones. They are effective as laxatives but once you experience side effects like nausea, bloody stool, dehydration, cramping, and other problems, consult with your doctor immediately.
Let your doctor help you out
Colon cleanse products are usually available over the counter, which means that you can buy them even without a prescription. However, before running to your nearest pharmacy to buy one, it is important that you consult with your doctor first to check if colon cleansers are safe for you to use. Remember that these products may have ingredients that can be harmful to pre existing conditions or they can cause further complications in the long run.
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