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HERBAL MEDICINE
What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine, also called botanical medicine or phytomedicine, refers to the use of
any plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for medicinal purposes. While
the scientific study and medicinal use of herbs began in the eighteenth century,
documentation of the early practices of the people of Egypt, Greece, India, and Asia
demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of herbs and their uses from well over a
thousand years ago. Centuries later, settlers in North America gleaned much of their
herbal lore from Native Americans. For example, black cohosh tea has been used in Native
American cultures for centuries to soothe menopausal symptoms.
Although a renaissance is occurring in herbal medicine in the United States, the Food
and Drug Administration still classifies herbs as dietary supplements and forbids
manufacturers to claim that their products are able to treat or prevent specific diseases.
Europe, however, is another matter. In Germany, for example, herbal preparations are
regulated as drugs and an expert medical panel, known as the German Commission E, actively
researches their safety and effectiveness.
Who is using herbal medicine?
Nearly one-third of Americans use herbs and it is estimated that in 1998 alone $4
billion was spent on herbal products in this country. Unfortunately, a recent study in the
New England Journal of Medicine indicated that nearly 70 percent of individuals
taking herbal medicines (the majority of which were well educated and had a
higher-than-average income) were reluctant to reveal their use of complementary and
alternative medicine to their doctors. Because herbal medicines contain a combination of
chemicals, each with a specific action, many are capable of eliciting complex
physiological responses—some of which may create unwanted or unexpected results when
combined with conventional drugs. Be sure to consult your doctor before trying any herbal
products.
How is herbal medicine sold in stores?
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
herb materials left to soak for a few minutes in boiling water. 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 herb material. 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 to 8:1) and is sold as a tablet, capsule, or lozenge.
Currently, no organization or government body regulates the manufacture or certifies
the labeling of herbal preparations. This means you can't be sure that the amount of the
herb contained in the bottle, or even from dose to dose, is the same as what is stated on
the label. Some herbal preparations are standardized, meaning that the preparation is guaranteed
to contain a specific amount of the active ingredients of the herb. However, it is
still important to ask companies that are making standardized herbal products the basis
for their product's guarantee. If consumers insist on an answer to this question,
manufacturers of these herbal products may begin to implement more quality control
processes, like microscopic, chemical, and biological analyses. Again, it is important to
consult your doctor or an expert in herbal medicine for the recommended doses of any
herbal products you are considering.
Naturopathic physicians are experts in the use of herbs to treat illness. They believe
that the body is continually striving for balance and that natural therapies can be used
to support this process. Naturopathic physicians are trained in four-year, postgraduate
institutions that combine courses in conventional medical science (such as pathology,
microbiology, pharmacology, and surgery) with clinical training in herbal medicine,
homeopathy, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling. Herbalists, chiropractors, and
practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine also use herbs to treat illness.
How can I find a qualified naturopathic practitioner in my area?
For additional information, or to locate a licensed naturopath in your area, contact
the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) at 601 Valley Street, Suite
105, Seattle, WA 98109 (206-298-0126) or visit their web site at www.naturopathic.org.
©2000 Integrative Medicine Communications
This document contains information relating to general principles of medical care that
should not in any event be construed as specific instructions for individual patients. The
reader is advised to check product information (including package inserts) for changes and
new information regarding dosage, precautions, and contraindications before administering
any drug or compound. No claim or endorsements are made for any drug or compound currently
in investigative use.
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