Until the s, herbs were the basis of all pharmaceutical drugs. Others are extracted from plants such as corticosteroids and oral contraceptives. Herbs are complex organisms that have a tremendous biochemical diversity of phytochemicals that can protect, support or stimulate healing. Choosing the correct herb s for any symptom or condition is often based on an understanding of all the different properties of the herbs which is why it is best to work with a trained professional.
Herbs are classified by:. Like food, the quality of the herbs greatly impacts the therapeutic effect. Herbs that are sold commerically have to adhere to specific standards that are set by each country. Herbs come in a variety of forms, each one with its specific advantages and disadvantages. Some you may be familiar with are:. One of my favorites is Dr.
In addition, James A. The American Botanical Council website, www. Botanicals and Herbs. Common ways to prepare botanicals for use include teas , infusions, decoctions , tinctures , and extracts :. Standardization is a process that manufacturers may use for extracts to ensure that all of their batches are similar. The standardization process involves identifying and measuring specific chemicals also known as markers and adjusting them to assure consistent amounts in each batch.
If such chemical markers were used, each batch of the product would have the same health effects. However, the constituents responsible for the effects of most botanicals are not known. This belief is not necessarily correct because the safety of a botanical depends on many things, such as its chemical makeup, how it works in the body, how it is prepared, and the amount used.
The actions of botanicals range from mild to powerful. A botanical with mild action might have subtle effects. Chamomile and peppermint , for example, are usually consumed in teas to help with digestion and are generally considered safe for most people.
Some botanicals with mild action might need to be taken for weeks or months before their full effects are achieved. For example, valerian might help users sleep better after a few weeks of use, but just one dose is rarely effective. In contrast, a powerful botanical produces a fast result.
Green tea a natural source of caffeine and yohimbe , for example, can have strong and immediate stimulant effects. The dose and form of a botanical preparation also play important roles in its safety. Teas, tinctures, and extracts have different strengths from one another. For example, the same amount of a botanical may be contained in a cup of tea, a few teaspoons of tincture, or an even smaller amount of an extract. Also, different preparations have different amounts and concentrations of constituents extracted from whole botanicals.
For example, peppermint tea is generally considered safe to drink, but peppermint oil is much more concentrated and can be toxic if used incorrectly. In fact, you should always talk with your healthcare provider about botanical and other dietary supplements that you are using or are thinking of using.
Determining the quality of a botanical dietary supplement product from its label is difficult. The degree of quality control depends on the manufacturer and others in the production process. The presence of terms such as "standardized", for example, does not necessarily indicate that the product is of high quality.
The U.
0コメント