About Herbs -- Self Help and Alternatives

Have we come full circle?

	2000 BC - HERE EAT THIS ROOT
	1000 AD - THAT ROOT IS HEATHEN; HERE, SAY THIS PRAYER
	1850 AD - THAT PRAYER IS SUPERSTITION; HERE, DRINK THIS POTION
	1940 AD - THAT POTION IS SNAKE OIL; HERE, SWALLOW THIS PILL
	1985 AD - THAT PILL IS INEFFECTIVE; HERE TAKE THIS ANTIBIOTIC
	2000 AD - THAT ANTIBIOTIC DOESN’T WORK ANYMORE. HERE EAT THIS ROOT (Author Unknown)

According to statistics, more than one in three Americans are currently using herbal medicines. Herbs have been in use as scents, food, seasoning and medicine for thousands of years and this practice continues today.

What are herbs?
Herbs include flowering plants, shrubs, trees, moss, fern, algae, seaweed or fungus. Herbs are not only used for treatment of disease, but also to enhance life, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Herbs come in many different forms. They are used fresh, dried, chopped or whole and can be steeped as infusions. Some are preserved in different types of preservatives such as alcohol or vinegar. Other herb forms are creams, gels, or oils.

Brief herbal history:
Evidence exist that herbal remedies go back some 60,000 years. A burial site of a Neanderthal man was uncovered in 1960. Eight species of plants had been buried with him, some of which are still used for medicinal purposes today.

Ancient Egyptians (3500 BC) began to treat disease with less association to magic and superstition. By 2700 BC, the Chinese began to take a more scientific approach. Traditional Chinese Medicine, in today’s course of treatment, may include herbal supplements and acupuncture.

Despite strong spiritual components in medicine, the Greeks recognized mutual causes of disease and rational methods of healing were important. The teachings of Hippocrates (460 – 377 BC) have long symbolized the rational yet compassionate approach to diagnosis and treat.

Greek physician Galen (129-c – 199 AD) began studying medicine at age 16. He became surgeon to the gladiators and later physician to the court of Emperor Marcus Aurelius. Galen studied anatomy, physiology and pharmacology. He wrote more than 400 books, with approximately 100 still known. A fire in the Temple of Peace destroyed many of Galen’s manuscripts, which were stored for safekeeping. His work remained unchanged until the Renascence period.

He was one of the most influential figures in the practice of pain relief and medicine in the first century. He increased the list of the Theriaca, an ancient antidote and panacea, to over 70 ingredients.

Abdullah Ben Ahmad Al Bitar (1021 - 1080 AD) was born in Malaga city of Andalusia. He was considered an outstanding botanist and pharmaceutical scientist. His interest in herbs began at age 10. In his early 20’s, he moved to Venice traveling around the counties of Greeks and Romans and got acquainted with the herbs and plants. He met with the descendants of two botanist Dyscoridis and Galen. After traveling and roaming for seven years, he reached his destination of Egypt. After working in the hospital there for several months, he became the chief of herbalist.

He began writing at the age of forty. His first book was entitled Explanation of Dyscoridis Book on Herbs. Some felt he had more knowledge regarding herbs than Dyscoridis and Galen. He began writing his last book at the age of 52 and finished at age 60 (dying shortly thereafter). The Glossary of Drugs and Food Vocabulary contained the names of one thousand and four hundred drugs. The drugs were list by name in alphabetical order in Arabic, Greek, Persian or Spanish. Ibn Al Bitar is well remembered in the science circles.

Herbalism has a long history in the Middle East, Rome, China, Greece and other countries. Many medical drugs used today are derived from herbs like aspirin, curare, ergot and digitalis.

The term drug is derived from the ancient word for root. Medical schools were still teaching that plant drugs were the primary medicines available until the 1930’s.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate herbs with the same strict requirements as it does prescription drugs or over-the-counter medications. They consider herbal remedies to be worthless or possibly dangerous. Herbal products are required to be labeled, as a food supplement only and can not make any specific health claim.

Safety of herbal medicine:
Should you decide to take any herbal product for medicinal purposes, be certain to discuss with your physician. Herbs have chemical properties just as pharmaceutical drugs do. There can be side effects as well or contraindications with other medications you are taking.

Research is currently underway that may reveal interaction between some herbal products, some prescribed medications and anesthetics. The following herbals may prolong the effects of anesthesia, increase the risk of bleeding or increase blood pressure; there may be other less critical effects.

Ephedra ( Ma-Huang) - known to cause dangerous elevations in blood pressure and heart rate.

Feverfew - may inhibit platelet activity and increase bleeding. Patients taking anticoagulants should avoid use as it may enhance bleeding.

Garlic - may increase bleeding.

Ginger - may increase bleeding time or cause excessive bleeding when used in combination with Warfarin.

Ginkgo Biloba - may increase bleeding.

Ginseng - may increase heart rate or blood pressure.

Kava-kava - may prolong the effects of certain anesthetics.

Licorice - may cause high blood pressure.

St. John’s Wort - a relaxant, may prolong effects of certain anesthetic agents.

Valerian - mild sedative, may prolong effects of certain anesthetic agents.

Other possible herbal supplement hazards:

Larkspur - pulse irregularities, seizures, weakness, vomiting, breathlessness.

Foxglove (Oleander) - nausea, vomiting, slow pulse.

Yohimbine - hypertension, rapid pulse.

Lobelia - hypertension, respiratory collapse.

Guarana - hypertension, agitation, fast pulse.

Jimson weed (Belladonna) - rapid pulse, retention, hypertension, mental changes.

Wormwood - agitation, mental changes, renal failure.

Hops, kava, valerian, passion flower - sedation, coma.

Pokeweed - nausea, profound diarrhea, shock.

Pennyroyal - hepatitis, renal failure.

Licorice - hypertension, sodium retention.

Podophyllin - vomiting, neuropathy, mental changes.

Herbs that can effect clotting: Alfalfa, capsicum, celery, chamomile, Chinese herbs, fenugreek, feverfew, fish oil, ginger, ginseng, horseradish, kava, licorice, passionflower, red clover and Vitamin E.

Herbs that can effect blood pressure:

Lower: Black cochosh, celery, fenugreek, garlic, hawthorn and horseradish.

Increase: Ephedra, goldenseal and licorice.

May produce either up or down effects: Ginseng, ginger and St. John's Wort.

We also suggest you notify your physician if you are taking Aspirin and/or Vitamin E as they may cause increased bleeding.

Herbal products can be safely used under proper circumstances:

There are other herbs that may be harmful if taken with certain medications so .....
BE CERTAIN TO NOTIFY YOUR PHYSICIAN IF YOU ARE USING HERBAL MEDICINES, PRESCRIBED MEDICINES, VITAMINS, NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS OR OVER THE COUNTER DRUGS.