There still seems to be a great deal of skepticism and fear surrounding the use of herbs, so I wanted to do an article about ten common herbs and their uses. Certain herbs are much maligned in the press today, but the truth is that herbs have been used safely for thousands of years. Their effectiveness has been demonstrated not only in scientific studies both recent and old, but herbs have been experienced and handed down through the ages. There should be a lot more skepticism surrounding the use of pharmaceutical drugs that have been around and been tested for a mere couple of years and whose "studies" are performed and funded by the very companies that will bring them to market. In addition, many drugs are chemical imitations of herbs that have the same effect, but with greater side effects.
Let's talk about a few of the herbs that you can use for everyday issues like sleep, liver strengthening, bowel regularity, heart health, and other issues. The one great caution with herbs is that you want to check any interaction with prescription drugs you are taking for any condition, not just the condition you are seeking to use the herb for. Secondly, you should always check with your doctor if you have a concern relative to other treatment you are undergoing. Unfortunately, 9.9 times out of 10 your doctor will tell you not to use the herb because they don't know anything about it. But, I do think this will change over time.
Thirdly, remember that herbs can be powerful and must be respected. For this reason, you must be very careful about what herbs you use during pregnancy. Make sure you consult a reliable source to determine what herbs are safe for pregnancy. Also, just like a drug, certain herbs will work for certain people and not others. As you use herbs over time you will come to learn those that you have an affinity for and conversely, those that don't agree with you.
Below we will discuss 10 common herbs and their uses and try to give a heads up on any special cautions. Please, though, if you have concerns make sure you ask the appropriate questions when you come in and we will do our best with the knowledge we have and the reference materials available to us.
Aloe--Best known for its soothing qualities to the skin, including its use on burns and other skin irritations. Taken internally, aloe juice can also be used to soothe ulcerative colitis, arthritis, and ulcers of the stomach or small intestine. It has both anti-bacterial and antifungal properties. Aloe also reduces blood glucose levels, so can be used in managing type II diabetes or pre-diabetes. Aloe should not be used during pregnancy, may increase the effect of stimulant laxatives and can increase the risk of potassium depletion due to its mild laxative effects (so those with heart issues should avoid).
Bilberry--Improves visual acuity including night vision, cataracts and degenerative retinal conditions. Usually the effects can be felt in a short period of time relative to vision and therefore it works well for demanding visual tasks such as driving all night. It is also used for venous issues including varicose veins, atherosclerosis, hemorrhoids and venous insufficiency. It has little known incidence of toxicity. Bilberry should not be used in conjunction with diabetes drugs as it can have the effect of lowering blood sugar.
Elderberry--Most commonly used to treat colds, sore throat, fever, muscle pain and flu symptoms. Elderberry induces sweating and stimulates circulation. It also has slight laxative and cough suppressant effects. It can counter influenza and other viruses by binding to the virus and preventing it from attacking cells and replicating. Since it stimulates the immune system, it is best not to use elderberry if you have an autoimmune disease such as MS, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis or if you are on immuno-suppressive drugs for some other reason.
Garlic--Is best known for its beneficial effects for the heart and for its anti-bacterial and anti-viral effects. Garlic slows the progression of atherosclerosis and is effective in lowering LDL, the "bad" cholesterol. Garlic is also cancer-protective. The garlic found in capsules has been aged to reduce the content of sulfur and the odor commonly associated with fresh garlic. Because of its ability to thin the blood, there is a risk of bleeding if garlic is used concomitant with other herbs with the same effect or with blood thinning medications like coumadin or anti-coagulants.
Gingko--Gingko is used for multiple conditions, most notably issues related to brain function including memory loss, mood, ADHD and dementia. It is also used to treat tinnitus, vertigo, hearing issues, sexual dysfunction in males, macular degeneration and glaucoma, asthma, allergies and certain cardiac issues. Gingko stimulates circulation in the brain, ears and other parts of the body and also acts as an antioxidant. It has many active constituents and its action cannot be atributed to any single one. It is one of the most studied herbs on the market in terms of its proven effectiveness. Gingko should not be used in conjunction with anticoagulant/antiplatelet drugs or herbs, seizure-lowering medications or St. John's wort or other antidepressants.
Milk Thistle (Silymarin)--The ultimate detox herb, milk thistle protects the liver from the effects of alcohol, heavy metals, drugs, solvents, pesticides, or other toxins. It can be used to treat cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other liver diseases. It helps regenerate healthy liver cells and boosts the liver's ability to filter toxins from the blood. Milk thistle can increase the clearance of certain drugs from the system, which is considered helpful in most instances. While this is more often than not positive, it can have negative effects by clearing a drug too quickly, so it is best to consult your health care practitioner if you plan to use it while on a prescription drug.
Psyllium--A non-irritating gentle laxative, it promotes regular intestinal function and bowel movements. It alleviates not only constipation, but also diarrhea and hemorrhoids. Psyllium adds bulk to stools, absorbs excess liquid in the intestine and speeds bowel transit time. It may also help lower blood cholesterol and suppress swings in blood sugar. Drinking a good amount of water with psyllium is important to supporting its effectiveness. Since psyllium speeds bowel transit time, if you are taking medication you will want to take it separately from the psyllium as the psyllium may carry it out of the system too quickly and inhibit its effectiveness. Also, if you have been diagnosed with a serious digestive disorder you will want to consutl your physician before using psyllium.
Stinging Nettle--Nettle is best known for its use against allergies and urination disorders associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. It is mildly diuretic, has immune modulating effects, is anti-inflammatory and can help relieve pain. It may have additive effects with antidiabetes drugs, antihypertensive drugs, central nervous system depressants, and warfarin, so its use with these drugs should be monitored by a physician.
Turmeric (Curcumin)--This popular Indian cooking herb supports digestive and liver function and is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It is helpful in treating abdominal pain, diarrhea, gas and bloating, hepatitis, jaundice and IBS. It stimulates bile production and therefore can help with the digestion of fats. It is very helpful in treating arthritis, bursitis and back pain due to the fact that it lowers the production of histamine and improves circulation by flushing the toxins out of the small joints where cellular wastes and inflammatory compounds are often trapped. It should not be used with antiplatelet/anticoagulant drugs.
Valerian--This herb can have sedative, antispasmodic effects and is best known as a remedy for insomnia. It is often seen in combination with other herbs with which it has synergistic effects in sleep formulas. It can also help with anxiety, depression, ADD, shingles and menstrual cramps. It may have additive effects with alcohol, benzodiazepines and other central nervous system depressants, so it use is not advised concomitant with them.
While the above is not intended to be all-inclusive, it briefly describes how herbs can be used for everyday problems that we all encounter. You may already be using herbs like echinacea and peppermint, but I hope that you can see that a myriad of conditions can be benefited by the use of other herbs. While so many of us go straight to the doctor for a quick fix, we do ourselves harm in the long run by the overuse of antibiotics and prescription drugs. I'd like to see us get to the point where we first use more natural methods to cure our ills and then if this fails, go to a more serious approach like prescription drugs. We would be grateful to have the opportunity to discuss any issues you may be having and to help you choose an herb or other natural remedy that you would like to try.
