Things You Should Know About Herbal Supplements

It seems that herbal supplements are becoming more and more common as household names. We already think of Echinacea when we want to deal with colds. We think of ginkgo if we want to improve memory function. We think of flax-seed when we want to reduce our levels of cholesterol, and there are so many more now that it becomes difficult to list all the names. Yes, herbal supplements have taken off as big business whether people are looking to lose weight, gain muscle or avoid illnesses. But how much do you really know about them? Could it be true that we generally take herbal supplements without actually being sure they’ll help us out. Here are a few things that you should know about herbal supplements before you buy them.

 

Herbal supplements are not anything new – they have been around for a long time. Sometimes referred to as botanicals, they are medicines and pills that have been used for their medicinal purposes for thousands of years. All sounds good so far right? Well, the trouble is that many herbal supplements are largely untested by the scientific community, or have not stood up well to the kind of scrutiny that other medicines go through to gain recognition. It’s also well known that as these are natural herbal products, they do not need to be verified as useful by the drugs authorities, and therefore the people who make them are relatively a law unto themselves. Suddenly it’s beginning to sound a bit worrying.

 

It is a certainty that some herbal supplements have drug-like effects that, if seen it drugs, might be considered to be dangerous enough to avoid the authorities allow them to be put into the market. But as there is no controlling body, there is no way to stop the flow of these supplements into the community. This has the potential to be very dangerous – so it’s vital that you do the research for yourself and only take the herbal supplements that you know to be safe. Don’t fall for the marketing gimmicks of the companies, instead find real reviews and be sure within yourself that you aren’t putting yourself in harm’s way be taking them.

 

The best advice here is that you should talk to your doctor if you are worried about the potential effects of a particular herbal supplement. They will have a good idea of what may or may not be dangerous for you to ingest and you’ll be making an informed decision based on their suggestions. This is a much better idea that just going in blind without knowing whether or not these pills could damage your health.

 

Remember that herbal supplements are still regulated, but not in the same way that drugs are. They have to be manufactured under the careful and safe precautions, so you at least know that the creation of the products should not put you in any danger. Still it may be best to be safe rather than sorry as often there are practical alternatives to taking these supplements that cannot be deemed a potential risk to your safety.

 

It doesn’t make any sense to mess around with things that can be as dangerous as this, so consult your doctor first. Always try herbal supplements in moderation even if you know they are safe, it’s best to try things slowly and not rush your body or attempt to force whatever change you want. Remember there are usually healthier natural ways to achieve your goals and its probably taking a look into them.

Categories: Drug, herbal, herbal supplements, nbsp, potential, Safe, Supplements

Why Herbal Supplements Aren"t Right for Everyone?

Botany has played a great role in medical purposes. Botanicals, also known as herbal supplements are available easily today. Ginkgo will improve your memory. Flaxseed can help lower your cholesterol and Echinacea can prevent cold. But are these supplements really good for your health?

 

Firstly, herbal supplements aren’t subjected to the scientific scrutiny or strictly regulated like the other medications. There is no approval required from Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for producing and supplying botanicals in the market. Secondly, many herbal supplements that are termed natural may have drug-like side effects that can harm your body system. Hence it is advisable that do a thorough check before consuming any supplements. Have a word with your doctor before you buy botanicals. Be extra careful if you are a heart patient, pregnant or breast-feeding.

 

Is it safe?

Herbal supplements are regulated by FDA. However, as mentioned above, the rules and regulations are not as same as for foods and drugs. It falls under dietary supplements category. Here are the rules for dietary supplements.

 

The manufacturer of herbal supplements doesn’t need an approval from FDA before putting the products in the market. Besides, companies can claim that their products support health, address nutrient deficiency, linked to body functions – only if they include a disclaimer that the FDA hasn’t evaluated the claim.

 

It is the manufacturer’s responsibility to practice a quality oriented production and that the supplements should be processed timely. In order to maintain the quality of the supplements, the regulations are intended to keep the unwanted ingredients away, avoid contamination such as lead and pesticides out of them. This also makes sure that the right ingredients are used in proper required amounts.

 

It is the FDA’s responsibility to monitor the safety of dietary supplements, once they enter the market. If the FDA finds a particular product to be unsafe, it can take action against the manufacturer and the distributor. FDA will issue a warning and can also take the product off the market.

 

Such regulations ensure the good quality of herbal supplements and give you the assurance of picking up a product from the market without any worry. However, these rules don’t guarantee that the herbal supplements available in the market are beneficial or safe for everyone. Various ingredients are used while composing these products. These active ingredients can have a strong impact on your body and can be a threat to life. For instance, if you are on medication and you start consuming herbal supplements, the reaction can even be fatal.  Hence, it is advisable that you consult your doctor before you start taking any herbal supplements.

 

What are the ingredients?

For this, the FDA demands that the manufacturer should include the following information on the label of the products:

 

Name of the herbal supplement

Name and address of the manufacturer or distributor

Full list of ingredients – either listed beneath or in the Supplement Facts Panel

Active ingredients, serving size and the amount

 

In case you are unable to understand the ingredients or anything else on the package of the herbal supplement, speak to your doctor or a pharmacist.

 

The simplest way to understand such things is to compare the ingredients listed on the product package by using the Dietary Supplements Labels Database, available on the National Library of Medicine’s website. You can check the products name, uses, active ingredients and the manufacturer’s name. However, it is important that you understand your body and its functioning before you in take any herbal supplements available in the market today.

Categories: active ingredients, dietary supplements, herbal, herbal supplement, herbal supplements, ingredients, Safe, Supplements, supplements aren, supplements nbsp

Is it Possible to Improve your Sex Drive with Herbal Meds?

Herbal remedies for boosting your sex drive have become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to the safety element that makes them suitable for most people. However, the concept that herbal medications are worry-free alternatives to Viagra and such sex boosters could be unfounded. In a study which involved 218 people who attended a fertility clinic in Nigeria, over 83 percent of the patients had a history with herbal medications which resulted in abnormal seminal fluid analysis – just 16 percent of people with no history of herbal intake had no abnormal results. Researchers stated that there may be associations between herbal remedies and male infertility, which could be causing reproductive health damage. Another report shows that dietary supplements aimed at people with erectile dysfunction are being labelled as natural when they may not be.

 

Many of these supplements are adulterated with the prescription medications they aim to replace, which is a growing concern. There have been several incidences in past studies which have found that over the counter sexual enhancers could contain other substances, making them extremely dangerous. In a study in Singapore, researchers found that 77 percent of a product labelled as natural contained pharmaceutical drugs, often in dangerously high doses. Many of these supplements contain analogues, or chemical variations of prescription enhancers such as Viagra – more than 45 new analogues have been found in sex drive boosters. These analogues are particularly worrying as they’ve never been tested on humans, so they could be harbouring potentially damaging side effects.

 

Researchers hope that educating men of the dangers of so-called herbal remedies could help prevent and reduce the risks associated with fatalities. If you are struggling with erectile dysfunction or other sexually-related problems, it’s advised that you seek medical advise rather than self medicating, to ensure you’re given the correct drugs for your health issue. There are many treatments available that can be given without the potential risks attached to them.

Categories: erectile dysfunction, herbal supplements, sexual health

Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder with Herbal Supplements

Those of us living in the U.K. are very aware of the phenomenon SAD (seasonal affective disorder). When nights are long and days are grey it is not unusual to experience a drop in your mood. There is an intimate connection between our mentality and the seasons, and most people will acknowledge this. For an unlucky few, this feeling can become a full-blown version of SAD, or ‘the winter blues’. Complementary health advice to those sufferers includes raising the level of vitamin D3, as well as omega-3 dietary content. Then there is the use of light therapy, where sufferers expose themselves to special full spectrum light bulbs, which simulate the sun’s rays. In addition to these well-known methods, there are several herbs which may provide relief from SAD.

St. John’s Wort – a tried and tested solution for depressive conditions. In order to counter the effects of SAD, sufferers should begin taking it in mid autumn, as its effects take a while to blossom. St. John’s Wort can be taken with confidence as it has already passed numerous clinical tests, and now receives high regard, even within the medical community. This being the case, it is still advisable to consult your doctor before starting any course of medication, complementary or otherwise.

Lemon balm – a traditional wellness solution for tension, headaches and depression. It is said to have a tranquilising effect and might therefore provide relief from the mild anxiety, or ‘cabin fever’ associated with SAD. Take lemon balm as a herbal infusion, or mix it with other oils.
Chamomile tea – a relaxing remedy used the world over for promoting sleep and wellbeing. Though widely available in tea bags, it might be worth investing in the dried flowers and taking it as a loose leaf preparation.
Valerian root – a supplement that is believed to have tranquilising qualities. Valerian may provide benefits when combined with the other herbs mentioned here, especially in the form of a tincture combine with lemon balm. Extended use of Valerian is not recommended, however, as the effects wane after a fortnight or so of use.

Categories: complementary, herbal supplements, seasonal affective disorder