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.
Are
there experts in herbal medicine?
Locate a practitioner in our healthcare directory
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.
Recommended Books on Herbal Medicine at the AlternativeDr.com Bookstore
The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies
by Joe Graedon, Teresa, Ph.D. Graedon
Reference Guide to Medicinal Plants: Herbal Medicine Past and Present
by John K. Creilin, John K. Crellin, Jane Philpott
