Being Careful With Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements have gone from being new age to being embraced by the mainstream. Medical research has shown that the proper use of herbals can significantly improve your health and well being. However, choosing the right herbal therapy and taking the correct dosage of a product is crucial to both your safety and the effectiveness of an herb.
Because herbal supplements are not regulated, there are many products out there that don’t even contain the ingredients they claim to. Shockingly, in a recent study, a test of 54 ginseng products found that 25% of them did not even contain ginseng!
herbal medicines
That’s why it is so important to find high quality, safe supplements to ensure not only that they offer maximal health benefits but also don’t cause any side effects. A high quality herbal supplement should contain standardized herbal extracts, which are the purest form of the highest quality offering the most therapeutic benefits.
These are the purest extracts available, offering the highest quality active ingredients, which is where all of the therapeutic value comes from.
Herbal supplements can be used for treating common ailments. Cayenne is believed to increase blood flow to ease headaches and migraines. Chamomile is known for relieving stomach distress, calming nerves, fighting infection, speeding the healing process and preventing ulcers. Chamomile is usually taken as a herbal teas.
Garlic is a strong natural antibiotic in chopped or chewed form as long as you don’t mind the taste! It helps reduce cholesterol and the risk of heart disease. Ginseng is used to increase stamina, provide liver protection from harmful substances, and to stimulate the immune system.
herbal extracts
Spearmint and peppermint are wonderful for proving indigestion relief and can be enjoyed in herbal teas or by placing a handful of dried leaves in a cloth bag and putting it in your bathwater.
Some medical research has shown that herbs work best when they are used with complementary products. For example, vitamin E, an important antioxidant, needs vitamin C in order to function properly. These two vitamins work much more effectively together than on their own.
Vitamin E is also believed to become more effective when grouped with red clover and green tea extract. These antioxidants working together are much more beneficial for warding off cancer and illness than vitamin E on its own. However, never mix herbal medicines with traditional medicines unless you consult a doctor or pharmacist first.
A recent study revealed that up to 91 percent of cancer patients say they have tried at least one alternative therapy, particularly Chinese medicinal herbs. Some studies have indicated that Chinese herbs can help relieve the side effects of conventional cancer treatments and might even slow cancer growth and improve patient survival.
herbal teas
This is just one example of how herbs can improve quality of life for the sick. However, it is critical that patients speak to their doctor before using herbal supplements. Although many people believe that these treatments are natural and therefore safe, some herbs may interact with other medications, potentially decreasing their effectiveness.
To protect yourself, thoroughly familiarize yourself with a herb before you begin taking it. If you use them properly, they can greatly improve your health and wellness.
