Lady Jessi
October 18th, 2004, 02:57 PM
This was shared with me, I now share it with you.......................Lady Jessi
Do herbs work?
Huge sales of herbal remedies say that millions of people believe that
they
work. What does science say?
A review of every known study of several best-selling herbs appears in
the
Jan. 1, 2002, issue of the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine.
There are
some surprising results.
Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, of the University of Exeter, U.K., looked at the
sciences behind six herbs:
ginkgo biloba (1998 U.S. sales $151 million);
St. John's wort ($140 million);
ginseng ($96 million);
echinacea ($70 million),
saw palmetto ($32 million);
kava ($17 million).
Here's the scoop:
Ginkgo Biloba
The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest types of tree on earth.
Traditional
Chinese doctors have used its fruits and seeds for thousands of years.
They used
it mostly to treat asthma and chilblains (the redness, swelling,
itching, and
burning of the face and extremities caused by exposure to damp cold).
Ginkgo reduces swelling, reduces the supply of oxygen to tissues,
scavenges
harmful free radicals from the blood, affects metabolism, reduces blood
clotting, and improves circulation in tiny blood vessels. In some
European countries,
it is approved as a treatment for memory impairment, dementia, tinnitus
(ringing in the ears), and intermittent claudication (a disease of the
arteries
that causes pain in the legs when moving but not when at rest).
The findings:
Memory Impairment. "Encouraging data exist, but the evidence for ginkgo
as a
memory enhancer is not fully convincing," Ernst writes. There is no
evidence
that ginkgo improves brain function in normal people.
Dementia. Studies show a small but significant benefit for people with
Alzheimer's disease.
Tinnitus. A few small studies suggest a moderate benefit, but the jury
is
still out.
Intermittent claudication. Ginkgo works as well as the drug Trental,
but
regular walking exercises are more effective.
Dosage: Most clinical trials used daily doses of 120 mg to 320 mg of a
standardized extract of ginkgo leaf. It usually takes four weeks of
treatment for
effects to be noticed.
Safety: Most side effects are mild and soon go away. But the herb can
cause
possibly serious bleeding and brain seizures if too much is taken.
People who
are taking blood-thinning medications should NOT take the drug.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
It's been used for many things, but today St. John's wort is considered
to be
an antidepressant.
The findings:
St. John's wort appears to be effective in the treatment of
mild-to-moderate
depression, Ernst concludes.
Dosage: Most trials use about 900 mg of a standardized extract. The
effect
takes two to three weeks to appear.
Safety: Taken all by itself, St. John's wort is quite safe -- much
safer than
conventional antidepressant drugs. But, this herb has serious
interactions
with other medicines. These include blood thinners (anticoagulants),
oral
contraceptives, HIV drugs, and other antidepressant medications
(particularly
SSRI-type drugs such as Prozac). ALWAYS consult a doctor if taking St.
John's wort
along with any other drug.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
You name it, and ginseng has been used to treat it. Ginseng most
commonly is
used to improve stamina, concentration, vigilance, and a sense of
well-being.
The findings:
Energy/physical-performance boosting. Ernst writes that compelling
evidence
of ginseng for this purpose is lacking.
Cancer. A Korean study found that people who took ginseng had
significantly
lower risk of cancer. By itself, the study proves nothing -- but Ernst
calls
for more research.
Diabetes. One study suggested that the American form of ginseng --
taken with
a meal -- lowers the after-meal increase in blood sugar.
Dosage: Most studies use 200 mg to 600 mg of extract. Ernst warns
against
taking more than 1 gram of dry root per day. Low-quality products may
be
contaminated; be sure to obtain ginseng from reputable sources.
Safety: Uncommon -- but severe -- side effects include insomnia,
diarrhea,
vaginal bleeding, breast pain, severe headache, schizophrenia, and the
sometimes-fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Interactions with some drugs
have been
reported, including the popular blood thinner Coumadin. Contaminated
ginseng
products may cause some of these adverse effects.
Echinacea
Different echinacea products used different parts of the plant, but
most use
the roots. This herb contains many potentially active compounds.
However,
studies find no single active ingredient.
The findings:
Upper respiratory tract infections. Results from several studies in
people
with common colds showed no conclusive results. Some studies suggest
that
echinacea can prevent colds. "Echinacea ... may be effective, but the
trial data are
weak and inconclusive," Ernst writes.
Dosage: The usual recommended dose is 900 mg to 1,000 mg three times a
day.
However, some evidence suggests that the most effective preparation is
the
pressed juice of the Echinacea purpura species. The usual dose is 6 mL
to 9 mL.
Warning: U.S. echinacea supplements vary widely in quality and often
are quite
poor, according to Ernst.
Safety: Allergic reactions appear to be the most common side effects,
but
some very serious side effects, including hepatitis and asthma, have
been
reported. Given the popularity of the herb, Ernst advices a major study
of its side
effects.
Saw Palmetto
Ripe berries from the dwarf palm have been used to enhance sperm
production
and to enlarge breast size. The herb today is used to help men with
enlarged
prostate glands (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
BPH).
The findings:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia. There's good evidence -- but not absolute
proof
-- that saw palmetto helps this condition.
Dosage: Most clinical studies use a 320 mg extract. Treatment usually
lasts
for three to six months.
Safety: Only rare side effects are reported; these usually are mild.
There
are no known interactions with other medicines.
Kava
A mildly intoxicating beverage used in the South Pacific, kava is
mainly used
to lessen anxiety but also for insomnia, menopausal symptoms, and other
uses.
The findings:
"Short-term administration of kava is effective in reducing anxiety,"
Ernst
writes.
Dosage: Doses of kava used in most studies range from 70 mg to 240 mg
of
dried root extract.
SAFETY WARNING: A recent FDA alert reported some 25 cases of serious
liver
damage when people in Germany and Switzerland took kava. Both countries
have
banned kava products. The FDA issued a warning in March 2002 telling
those who
use kava supplements or teas to check for possible symptoms of liver
damage
after similar reports in the U.S. The FDA warns against its use until
further
studies can be done. The drug also has interactions with alcohol.
Long-term users
of high-dose kava drinks develop flaky, dry, yellowish skin with hair
loss and
partial loss of hearing. These symptoms usually go away when people
stop
taking the herb.
Whether they work well or not, all herbal remedies have effects on your
body.
Always tell your doctor which herbal remedies you are taking, no matter
how
safe or effective they may seem.
Originally published Dec. 31, 2001.
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD, May 2002.
© 2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/13/1689_51818?SRC=aoldropdo
wn=altmed
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
Do herbs work?
Huge sales of herbal remedies say that millions of people believe that
they
work. What does science say?
A review of every known study of several best-selling herbs appears in
the
Jan. 1, 2002, issue of the prestigious Annals of Internal Medicine.
There are
some surprising results.
Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, of the University of Exeter, U.K., looked at the
sciences behind six herbs:
ginkgo biloba (1998 U.S. sales $151 million);
St. John's wort ($140 million);
ginseng ($96 million);
echinacea ($70 million),
saw palmetto ($32 million);
kava ($17 million).
Here's the scoop:
Ginkgo Biloba
The ginkgo tree is one of the oldest types of tree on earth.
Traditional
Chinese doctors have used its fruits and seeds for thousands of years.
They used
it mostly to treat asthma and chilblains (the redness, swelling,
itching, and
burning of the face and extremities caused by exposure to damp cold).
Ginkgo reduces swelling, reduces the supply of oxygen to tissues,
scavenges
harmful free radicals from the blood, affects metabolism, reduces blood
clotting, and improves circulation in tiny blood vessels. In some
European countries,
it is approved as a treatment for memory impairment, dementia, tinnitus
(ringing in the ears), and intermittent claudication (a disease of the
arteries
that causes pain in the legs when moving but not when at rest).
The findings:
Memory Impairment. "Encouraging data exist, but the evidence for ginkgo
as a
memory enhancer is not fully convincing," Ernst writes. There is no
evidence
that ginkgo improves brain function in normal people.
Dementia. Studies show a small but significant benefit for people with
Alzheimer's disease.
Tinnitus. A few small studies suggest a moderate benefit, but the jury
is
still out.
Intermittent claudication. Ginkgo works as well as the drug Trental,
but
regular walking exercises are more effective.
Dosage: Most clinical trials used daily doses of 120 mg to 320 mg of a
standardized extract of ginkgo leaf. It usually takes four weeks of
treatment for
effects to be noticed.
Safety: Most side effects are mild and soon go away. But the herb can
cause
possibly serious bleeding and brain seizures if too much is taken.
People who
are taking blood-thinning medications should NOT take the drug.
St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum)
It's been used for many things, but today St. John's wort is considered
to be
an antidepressant.
The findings:
St. John's wort appears to be effective in the treatment of
mild-to-moderate
depression, Ernst concludes.
Dosage: Most trials use about 900 mg of a standardized extract. The
effect
takes two to three weeks to appear.
Safety: Taken all by itself, St. John's wort is quite safe -- much
safer than
conventional antidepressant drugs. But, this herb has serious
interactions
with other medicines. These include blood thinners (anticoagulants),
oral
contraceptives, HIV drugs, and other antidepressant medications
(particularly
SSRI-type drugs such as Prozac). ALWAYS consult a doctor if taking St.
John's wort
along with any other drug.
Ginseng (Panax ginseng)
You name it, and ginseng has been used to treat it. Ginseng most
commonly is
used to improve stamina, concentration, vigilance, and a sense of
well-being.
The findings:
Energy/physical-performance boosting. Ernst writes that compelling
evidence
of ginseng for this purpose is lacking.
Cancer. A Korean study found that people who took ginseng had
significantly
lower risk of cancer. By itself, the study proves nothing -- but Ernst
calls
for more research.
Diabetes. One study suggested that the American form of ginseng --
taken with
a meal -- lowers the after-meal increase in blood sugar.
Dosage: Most studies use 200 mg to 600 mg of extract. Ernst warns
against
taking more than 1 gram of dry root per day. Low-quality products may
be
contaminated; be sure to obtain ginseng from reputable sources.
Safety: Uncommon -- but severe -- side effects include insomnia,
diarrhea,
vaginal bleeding, breast pain, severe headache, schizophrenia, and the
sometimes-fatal Stevens-Johnson syndrome. Interactions with some drugs
have been
reported, including the popular blood thinner Coumadin. Contaminated
ginseng
products may cause some of these adverse effects.
Echinacea
Different echinacea products used different parts of the plant, but
most use
the roots. This herb contains many potentially active compounds.
However,
studies find no single active ingredient.
The findings:
Upper respiratory tract infections. Results from several studies in
people
with common colds showed no conclusive results. Some studies suggest
that
echinacea can prevent colds. "Echinacea ... may be effective, but the
trial data are
weak and inconclusive," Ernst writes.
Dosage: The usual recommended dose is 900 mg to 1,000 mg three times a
day.
However, some evidence suggests that the most effective preparation is
the
pressed juice of the Echinacea purpura species. The usual dose is 6 mL
to 9 mL.
Warning: U.S. echinacea supplements vary widely in quality and often
are quite
poor, according to Ernst.
Safety: Allergic reactions appear to be the most common side effects,
but
some very serious side effects, including hepatitis and asthma, have
been
reported. Given the popularity of the herb, Ernst advices a major study
of its side
effects.
Saw Palmetto
Ripe berries from the dwarf palm have been used to enhance sperm
production
and to enlarge breast size. The herb today is used to help men with
enlarged
prostate glands (a condition known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or
BPH).
The findings:
Benign prostatic hyperplasia. There's good evidence -- but not absolute
proof
-- that saw palmetto helps this condition.
Dosage: Most clinical studies use a 320 mg extract. Treatment usually
lasts
for three to six months.
Safety: Only rare side effects are reported; these usually are mild.
There
are no known interactions with other medicines.
Kava
A mildly intoxicating beverage used in the South Pacific, kava is
mainly used
to lessen anxiety but also for insomnia, menopausal symptoms, and other
uses.
The findings:
"Short-term administration of kava is effective in reducing anxiety,"
Ernst
writes.
Dosage: Doses of kava used in most studies range from 70 mg to 240 mg
of
dried root extract.
SAFETY WARNING: A recent FDA alert reported some 25 cases of serious
liver
damage when people in Germany and Switzerland took kava. Both countries
have
banned kava products. The FDA issued a warning in March 2002 telling
those who
use kava supplements or teas to check for possible symptoms of liver
damage
after similar reports in the U.S. The FDA warns against its use until
further
studies can be done. The drug also has interactions with alcohol.
Long-term users
of high-dose kava drinks develop flaky, dry, yellowish skin with hair
loss and
partial loss of hearing. These symptoms usually go away when people
stop
taking the herb.
Whether they work well or not, all herbal remedies have effects on your
body.
Always tell your doctor which herbal remedies you are taking, no matter
how
safe or effective they may seem.
Originally published Dec. 31, 2001.
Reviewed by Michael W. Smith, MD, May 2002.
© 2003 WebMD Inc. All rights reserved.
http://aolsvc.health.webmd.aol.com/content/article/13/1689_51818?SRC=aoldropdo
wn=altmed
A closed mouth gathers no feet.