Herbal Supplements

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About Herbs & Herbal Supplements

Herbs, and their extracts, have been used since time immemorial for their medicinal properties. A lot of the traditional uses are based on superstition, or spiritual basis, with no clinical trials or research to support the results. Some traditional medicinal herb use is based on trial and error, and is supported by real-world, results based evidence. Traditional medicine is based strongly in herbal remedies, whether supported by real-world results or spiritual basis.

Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplements that contain herbs, either singly or in mixtures. A herb (also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, and/or therapeutic properties. Herbal supplements are used in the treatment and management of certain diseases and medical conditions. All plants, including herbs, naturally synthesize many (sometimes hundreds) complex chemical compounds as part of their metabolic activities. Many of these compounds are not directly related to the plant's energy production but are toxins synthesized by the plant in order to ward off other plants, herbivores, and plant parasites. Thus, all plant materials contain large numbers of chemical compounds, some of which may exert a desired physiological effect and others which may exert no effect whatever or any number of undesirable effects when consumed by humans. In fact, many herbs contain chemical compounds that act oppositely from the principal active ingredient.

For most herbs, the specific ingredient that causes a therapeutic effect is not known. The active ingredient(s) in many herbs and herbal supplements are not known. Whole herbs contain many ingredients, and it is likely that they work together to produce the desired medicinal effect. Therefore, there may be dozens, even hundreds, of such compounds in an herbal supplement. Many factors affect how effective an herb will be. Many herbs have several active compounds that interact with one another to produce a therapeutic effect. A herbal supplement may contain all of the compounds found in a plant, or just one or two of the isolated compounds that have been successfully extracted.

Scientists are currently working to identify these ingredients and analyze products, using sophisticated technology. Identifying the active ingredients in herbs and understanding how herbs affect the body are today considered as extremely important research areas. Herbs also contain minerals in abundance. Daily herbal infusions provide essential nutrients in a highly assimilative form.

Many plants contain essential oils that are distilled, packaged, and sold unregulated to the public for medicinal purposes. Essential oils include any of a class of volatile oils composed of a mixture of complex hydrocarbons (often terpenes, alkaloids, and other large molecular weight compounds) extracted from a plant. Essential oils give the plant its characteristic aroma and will evaporate quickly from the skin or another surface.

From a "scientific" perspective, many herbal supplements are considered experimental, but the reality is, however, that herbal medicine has a long and respected history and numerous studies that have been done in this field lead us to the fact that the therapeutic benefits and the healing ability of various medicinal herbs and herbal supplements can be very significant if they are used wisely and with caution along with a healthy lifestyle.

Types and Forms of Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements come in various forms. They may be taken internally as pills or powders, dissolved into tinctures or syrups, or brewed in teas and decoctions. Salves, ointments, shampoos, or poultices may be applied to the skin, scalp, or mucous membranes. They can also be in other forms, such as a bar, but if they are, information on their label must not represent the product as a conventional food or a sole item of a meal or diet. Whatever their form may be, DSHEA places dietary supplements in a special category under the general umbrella of "foods," not drugs, and requires that every supplement be labeled a dietary supplement.

A particular group of chemicals or a single chemical may be isolated from a botanical and sold as a dietary supplement, usually in tablet or capsule form. An example is phytoestrogens from soy products. A tea, also known as an infusion, is made by adding boiling water to fresh or dried botanicals and steeping them. The tea may be drunk either hot or cold. Some roots, bark, and berries require more forceful treatment to extract their desired ingredients. They are simmered in boiling water for longer periods than teas, making a decoction, which also may be drunk hot or cold. A tincture is made by soaking a botanical in a solution of alcohol and water. Tinctures are sold as liquids and are used for concentrating and preserving a botanical. They are made in different strengths that are expressed as botanical-to-extract ratios (i.e., ratios of the weight of the dried botanical to the volume or weight of the finished product). An extract is made by soaking the botanical in a liquid that removes specific types of chemicals. The liquid can be used as is or evaporated to make a dry extract for use in capsules or tablets.

General Safety Guidelines

First, it is important to remember that herbal remedies are medicine. They must be approached like any other medicine. Each person will react to an herbal medicine a little differently. Some people may have allergic reactions to certain herbs, ranging from mild to severe anaphylactic reactions. It's important to know that just because an herbal supplement is labeled "natural" does not mean it is safe or without any harmful effects.

Herbal supplements can cause medical problems if not used correctly or if taken in large amounts. In some cases, people have experienced negative effects even though they followed the instructions on a supplement label. For example, the herbs kava and comfrey have been linked to serious liver damage.

Nature is not benign and many plants have chemical defense mechanisms against predators that can have adverse effects on humans. The action of botanicals ranges from mild to powerful (potent). A botanical with mild action may have subtle effects. Some mild botanicals may have to be taken for weeks or months before their full effects are achieved. The dose and form of a botanical preparation also play important roles in its safety. Teas, tinctures, and extracts have different strengths. The same amount of a botanical may be contained in a cup of tea, a few teaspoons of tincture, or an even smaller quantity of an extract. Also, different preparations vary in the relative amounts and concentrations of chemical removed from the whole botanical.

The safety of herbal products may be related to the mixtures of active chemicals that they contain; their interactions with other herbs and drugs, contaminants, or adulterants; or their inherent toxicity. Active ingredients in herbs and dietary supplements can cause unexpected reactions when used with other herbs or medications. Effects on the distribution, metabolism, or excretion of drugs may be pronounced and may lead to drug toxicity. Contaminants and adulterants of herbal products can be pharmacologically active and responsible for unexpected toxicity. Because of the variability in herbal product ingredients, the actual dose of active ingredients being consumed is often variable, unpredictable, or simply unknown. When compared with adults, children may be particularly susceptible to the effects of such dosage variations by virtue of their smaller size and different capacity for detoxifying chemicals.

Handling of Herbal Supplements

Herbal medicines should be stored in a safe, secure location just like all other medications. Herbal medicines may interact with other drugs, or may have specific side effects that exacerbate certain conditions, and therefore should be disclosed to your doctor or other medical personnel, just like any drug medication.

Consult With Your Physician

Before starting a new treatment program it is important to consult with a physician. This holds true for herbal treatments, as well as exercise and diet changes. Herbal medicines may interact with other drug therapies or herbal treatments. A physician may be able to guide your treatment program and monitor your reaction to certain therapies. It is important to let your physician know all of the vitamins, minerals and herbal supplements.

Some herbs may affect the rate that the body absorbs certain medications. They may also cause the body to get rid of the medications quicker. Some cause a reduction in the effect of certain medications, while others cause an increase in the effect. Many herbal remedies mimic the effects of certain pharmaceutical treatments and, therefore, taking them with those drugs may cause the potential for overdosing. A physician may be able to adjust the dosage or schedule of certain treatments to make up for the addition of herbal supplements.

It is important to note that not all physicians are familiar with all herbal supplements. You may want to research the herbal remedies and present this information to your physician. The physician may have the necessary information on any pharmaceutical treatments but not all the possible herbal treatments. An herbal specialist may be able to help you with this information and even direct you toward the right herbs for your specific needs.

If you use herbal supplements, it is best to do so under the guidance of a medical professional who has been properly trained in herbal medicine. This is especially important for herbs that are part of an alternative medical system, such as the traditional medicines of China, Japan, or India.

Research the Herbs

Researching the herbs, whether for your own information or for convincing your physician, can be accomplished using many different sources. Some stores offer information resources for the products they sell. Many online stores offer articles and information right on their site to help consumers make informed decisions about the products. Healthherbsandnutrition.com is one such site.

The internet offers a multitude of other opportunities to research herbs and herbal supplements. It is important to check multiple sources to make sure you are getting all the information and not just information directed by a particular supplement company. The library is another great resource f  or herbal information. Lastly, practitioners of traditional medicine and herbal medicine specialists are good sources of information on many herbal supplements and their uses.

Standards for Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements are not controlled by regulatory boards like pharmaceutical medications are. Many herbal extracts are standardized for their active ingredients. This allows a comparison between brands. Since the active ingredients are what cause the effects associated with the herbs, it is important to know how much of the active ingredients are in each supplement. The issue with herbal supplements is that because there are no regulations on the herbal claims it is hard to determine what is true and what is hype.

Most companies that produce herbal supplements are reputable and only use what they list, however their label claims may be exaggerated or worded in a deceptive manner. Be wary of herbal supplements that make claims such as, “100% safe” or “Natural herbs produce no side effects.” Any herbal supplement that tries to claim it is “As good as…” or “Better than…” a prescription medication “without any side effects” should be approached with caution. Ask around and find out what supplements people have had success with and what ones get good reviews.

Published analyses of herbal supplements have found differences between what's listed on the label and what's in the bottle. This means that you may be taking less--or more--of the supplement than what the label indicates. Also, the word "standardized" on a product label is no guarantee of higher product quality, since in the United States there is no legal definition of "standardized" (or "certified" or "verified") for supplements.

Some herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, microorganisms, or other substances.

Dosing Safety

Many people fall into the trap of thinking that since an herbal supplement is natural it is safe to take as much as they want. Overdosing, or increased side effects, is just as possible with potent herbal medications as with any drug. “More is better” is a dangerous concept when applied to herbal supplements. It is important to research the safe dosages for any herb before taking it. It is also important to follow the manufacturers recommended dosage, as outlined on the bottle. This is due to the varying amounts of active ingredients in each supplement.

Never in our history have we been using medicinal herbs and herbal supplements as much as we do today and there are new and exciting discoveries made daily regarding the health benefits of natural medicines. We are constantly looking for new ways to feel better and improve our overall health. We do not have the same blind faith in pharmaceutical drugs as we used to and we are turning more and more to natural remedies.

Special Populations

There are certain cases or special group of people which demand caution while taking herbal supplements. Some of them are given below. One should always go for reputable companies and the products that have specifically mentioned over them the conditions wherein they are not supposed to be used.

Misinformation pertaining to Herbal Supplements

There has been an increase in the number of web sites that sell and promote herbal supplements on the internet. The Federal Government has taken legal action against a number of company sites because they have been shown to contain incorrect statements and to be deceptive to consumers. It is important to know how to evaluate the claims that are made for supplements.

Technology coming into the scene

Full Spectrum Method vs. 'Standardized' Extracts

Many pharmaceutical companies have begun manufacturing herbal remedies using a process of extraction whereby harsh chemicals are employed to extract the active ingredients of medicinal herbs.

You will recognize these extracts by the usage of the words 'standardized' extract on the labels. This method of manufacturing is often cited as being more scientific and able to produce a superior product with controlled and guaranteed amounts of active ingredients in each product.

Contrary to these claims, this process is not approved by the manufacturers of holistic medicines. One of the reasons is that the process of extracting so-called 'active ingredients' and isolating them from the rest of the herb is one that has resulted in an increase in side effects, as the herb in this way loses its natural ability to protect against side effects.

In addition, many manufacturers use all parts of the plants to create standardized extracts, whereas herbalists know that only certain parts of some herbs should be used.

In the case of Ginkgo Biloba, for example, it is well known that the seeds of this plant are poisonous and can cause seizures and that only the leaves should be used. Standardized extracts of Ginkgo Biloba have been associated with the risk of seizure in some trials.

The most recent example of the dangers of using this manufacturing process includes the development of liver toxicity from using Kava Kava extract, an herb which has been safely used for hundreds of years!

It must also be added that this process of extraction requires the use of harsh chemicals and solvents, traces of which are difficult to remove completely from the final product.

Hence, it makes little sense for companies to go the natural route, while being unable to guarantee that their product is free of contamination with chemicals known to be harmful to health!

Therefore, unlike many so-called natural remedies manufactured according to the methods described above, some companies avoid standardized extracts completely and use the Full Spectrum method of extraction, which is recommended by all the authoritative Materia Medica dealing with herbal medicine.

This helps them to maintain the integrity, balance and therapeutic effect of herbs with the least risk of side effects or harm to your health!

Bye the Way - When you buy herbal and homeopathic medicines from Healthherbsandnutrition, you can be confident that you’re receiving a product manufactured to the highest standards of health, production and effectiveness.

General tips for buying herb supplements

Future of Herbal Supplements

Western medicine is beginning to look at the use of herbal remedies as alternatives to synthetic drugs as well. Most modern pharmaceuticals have a historical base in herbal medicine, and many are derived from herbal extracts, at least initially.

Many people elect to use herbal supplements in their overall health routine. Some people choose herbal remedies over prescription drug therapies because of the perceived safety of these remedies. The downside to this growing use of herbal supplements and other health-related products, especially those you can buy online, is that they do not contain the medicinal herbs or the ingredients the manufacturer says they contain. In many countries, natural and herbal supplements are not subject to strict regulation. Therefore, there is no obligation to the safety or effectiveness of the products.

Common herbs used in the Western world

The most common herbs sold in the market, alone and in combinations, are: