Overview:
Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded
history. For example, ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings
describe medicinal plant uses. Indigenous cultures (such as African and
Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others
developed traditional medical systems (such as Ayurveda and Traditional
Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used systematically.
Scientists found that people in different parts of the globe tended to use
the same or similar plants for the same purposes.
For most herbs, the specific ingredient that causes a therapeutic effect is
not known. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and it is likely that
they work together to produce the desired medicinal effect. Many factors
determine how effective an herb will be. For example, the type of
environment (climate, bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew will affect
its components, as will how and when it was harvested and processed.
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
(Couamdin, a blood thinner), 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.
Kava kava has been linked to liver toxicity. Kava has been taken
off the market in several countries because of the liver toxicity,
although the causes remain controversial.
Valerian may cause oversedation, and in some people it may even
have the unexpected effect of overstimulating instead of sedating.
Bleeding time may be altered with the use of garlic, ginkgo,
feverfew, and ginger, among others.
Evening primrose (Oenothera biennis) may increase the risk of
seizures in patients taking drug known to lower seizure threshold,
such as anticonvulsants.
Some herbal supplements, especially those imported from Asian
countries, may contain high levels of heavy metals, including lead,
mercury, and cadmium. It is important to purchase herbal
supplements from reputable manufacturers to ensure quality. Talk to
your health care provider for more information.
The herbs available in most stores come in several different forms: teas,
syrups, oils, liquid extracts, tinctures, and dry extracts (pills or
capsules). Teas 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 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 (typically 2:1 - 8:1) and is sold as a tablet, capsule, or
lozenge.