Herbs include flowering plants, shrubs, trees, moss, fern, algae, seaweed or fungus. In most cultures, including Western culture, herbs are used in medicine not only as a part of the treatment of disease, but also in the enhancement of life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Plant parts, including flowers, fruits, leaves, twigs, bark, roots or seeds, are all considered usable.
Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are dietary supplements derived from nature. Herbal plants or parts of a plant are broken down and used for their scent, flavor and therapeutic benefits. When taken as a supplement, they can deliver strong benefits, however, herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA and can have dangerous side effects. They act like drugs once in your system and can affect metabolism, circulation and excretion of other substances in your body. It is important to discuss with your doctor if you are on prescription medications, are breastfeeding or have chronic illnesses and want to add herbal supplements to your health regimen.
Recently Answered
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Dr. Sarah LoBisco , Integrative Medicine, answeredTea tree oil is the essential oil distilled from Melaleuca alternifolia. Tea tree oil has mostly been studied for its antiseptic, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties. Some studies have reported benefits for skin conditions including methicillin resistant staph (MRSA), acne, and fungal infections. One small trial showed tea tree oil to be as effective as benzoyl peroxide for acne. Furthermore, dental studies show that it may inhibit organisms that are responsible for periodontal disease.
It is important to use a standardized therapeutic essential oil to the antimicrobial compound terpinen-4-ol. Due to the fact that essential oils are more potent than herbs, only a small amount is needed and you should dilute it when applying for the first time to ascertain your skin’s response. -
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Stacy Wiegman, PharmD , Pharmacy, answeredBogbean supplements, taken as a tincture or extract, are made from the leaves of the bogbean plant. The herb is often used in processed foods to add flavor, and a tea can be made with the dried leaves.
Although there isn't much research on the effect of bogbean leaves, they do contain an ingredient that may boost your appetite.
The amount commonly used by food manufacturers is safe, but high doses can upset the gastrointestinal tract and possibly cause bleeding. -
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Dr. Ozgen Dogan , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSee All 3 AnswersEllagic acid is a phytochemical found in pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, cranberries, walnuts and pecans. It's been shown to reduce the risk of cancer and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) or bad cholesterol. Pomegranates are a wonderful source of ellagic acid. Mice fed pomegranate juice were found to have decreased blood vessel plaques and blockages. It also lowers blood pressure. -
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National Center for Homeopathy answeredFor the homeopathic treatment of arthritis, guaiacum is suitable for people whose symptoms include rheumatic affections of the small joints, especially the wrists and fingers. These symptoms may be worse from warmth and better from cold applications. -
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Dr. Peter Bongiorno, ND , Naturopathic Medicine, answeredBladderwrack, also known as fucus vesiculous, grows in both the northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It is rich in nutrient and contains a fair amount of magnesium, potassium, and micronutrients. Micronutrients are often not found in many other foods we normally eat.
One nutrient it contains is iodine. Iodine is an essential nutrient for the thyroid gland. Bladderwrack has been used in traditional natural medicine to help support the thyroid for years. This is considered helpful for those that have hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid. In truth, there needs to be studies to confirm this, but anecdotal reports suggest it can be effective.
The best way to take this is in capsule form. Have your blood checked, and look for underactive symptoms to improve (symptoms like constipation, feeling cold, dry hair, raised cholesterol, and slow thinking) and your blood thyroid levels to normalize.
Because bladderwrack is harvested in the ocean, you want make sure you check the labels to make sure it was harvested in clean water and is contaminant-free. People who have overstimulated thyroid conditions should not take bladderwrack. -
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Discovery Health answeredSince marijuana cannot be distributed through a conventional pharmacy, some patients grow their own or turn to a caregiver for supplies.
Others go to dispensaries, which are legal in some places. These dispensaries, often known as cannabis clubs or cannabis co-ops,often have names that denote health or caregiving.
The dispensaries often call themselves collectives and claim that the marijuana sold there was grown by its members, who also are patients.
Critics claim that many dispensaries actually buy marijuana illegally and create the potential for abuse by people who do not need marijuana for medical reasons.
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Dr. Harris H. McIlwain, MD , Rheumatology, answered
Nettle (urtica dioica) has been used for years in Germany as a safe treatment of arthritis. In a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, researchers at the University of Plymouth applied stinging nettle leaves to the hands of 27 arthritis sufferers. After one week, they found that stinging nettles not only significantly reduced pain, but also that the level of that pain stayed lower through most of the treatment. They concluded that nettles contain serotonin and histamine, both neurotransmitters that affect pain perception and transmission at the nerve endings. -
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Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center answeredSince many of your hangover symptoms are believed to be caused by inflammation, stopping that inflammation may reduce symptoms. Chemicals in prickly pear cactus extract stop inflammation in the body. Treatment with prickly pear extract has been shown to reduce the dry mouth, queasiness, and loss of appetite.
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Dr. Ozgen Dogan , Cardiology (Cardiovascular Disease), answeredSterols and stanols are substances found in plants. They're present in small amounts in many fruits, vegetables, oils, nuts, seeds and legumes. They decrease bad cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein (LDL)) by reducing its absorption in the intestines. The effect of plant sterols on cholesterol has been known since the 1950s, but it wasn't until the 1990s that they were marketed in food, namely margarines. Chemically, plant sterols are very similar to cholesterol. When we eat them, they prevent real cholesterol from being absorbed. Instead, cholesterol leaves the body as waste.
It takes 2 to 3 grams of plant sterols on a daily basis to decrease low-density lipoprotein (LDL) by 10-14%. It's no easy feat to obtain this amount of plant sterols from eating plants. That's why margarines high in plant sterols have become popular.