We all know how the right herb can add new life to a recipe. And
research indicates that herbs might have the same effect on us.

Today's popular herbal potions promise better sleep, less
fatigue, reduced anxiety, even help in the battle against depression.
And the herbal answers to these ailments are nothing new.

-->History of Herbal Supplements
Herbal medicine is rooted in ancient traditions. Texts dating
back to 2500 BC speak of the ability of herbal remedies to restore
harmony to an imbalanced, unhealthy body.

Garlic and juniper have been common medicines for about 4,000 years.
Research suggests that Egyptians in the era of Ramses III used poppy
extracts to calm children.

It wasn't until the 1700s that herbalists sought to identify the
individual chemicals in the plants. Once separated from the plant
itself, these compounds took on new properties. In the last 150
years, these compounds have been used to create pharmaceutical drugs.

-->Herbs Today
Today, herbal supplements comprise an industry all their own.
According to a recent poll, about 60 million adults take herbal
supplements. Proponents say they can help with everything from
chronic illnesses to more mundane complaints, such as insomnia,
headaches, and fatigue, even the common cold.

The category "herb" includes any plant with culinary or medicinal
value. That includes the botanicals we associate with today's
pharmaceuticals, as well as the herbal supplements we purchase,
and, of course, the herbs we use to enhance the flavor of our food,
such as garlic and sage. Today, the practice of a western herbalist
primarily draws on 150 to 200 plants.

Because herbs are promoted as all-natural, alternative medicines,
consumers tend to think of them more as vitamins than as actual drugs.
But experts say these botanical remedies are just as—or more—potent,
than their pharmaceutical counterparts, so it's important to exercise
caution.

What's more, herbal supplements do not have to meet the same federal regulations

that other drugs do. That means potency, purity, and safety are not
necessarily consistent from brand to brand. It's important to talk
with your doctor before starting to take any supplement.

Maggie Greenwood-Robinson, PhD., author of Kava: The Ultimate Guide
to Nature's Anti-Stress Herb, recommends buying herbal supplements
only from a well-known and trusted manufacturer.

"Herbal products vary in potency due to a number of factors, one of
which is the original plant itself," she says. "It may have more or
less of the active ingredients than other members of the crop. The
extraction process varies, too, and may affect potency. A consumer
interested in purchasing herbal supplements should do so on the basis
of manufacturer reputation."

-->Cautions
According to the International Food Information Council, the FDA has
listed the following herbal supplements as "risky": Chaparral,
comfrey, DHEA, dieter's tea with senna, aloe, rhubarb root, buckthorn,
cascara, caster oil, penny royal, and sassafras.

Greenwood-Robinson says some of us should stay away from herbs altogether.
"Anyone who is pregnant or nursing should avoid herbs. If there are herbs
in the home, they should be kept out of the reach of children, just as you
would keep medicines out of reach," she says. And she does not recommend
herbal remedies for children.

Mothers trying to conceive should avoid echinacea purpura, St. John's wort,
and gingko biloba. Recent research indicates a possible connection between
these herbals and infertility.

Ask your doctor for information on dosages for herbal supplements, as
well as possible interactions with other drugs. If the manufacturer is
a trusted one, follow the recommended dosages on the label, and do not
exceed them.

If the supplement you choose provides a dosage range on the label,
always begin with the smallest dose, and stop taking the supplement
immediately if you sense any sort of allergic reaction, which can
range from hives to difficulty breathing.

-->Common Herbs and their Uses
Cellasene
"For health and beauty," Greenwood-Robinson says, "the big news in herbal
supplements is a category I call cellulite-control supplements."

Greenwood-Robinson discusses the merits of this herb in her
book, The Cellulite Breakthrough. Cellasene, Greenwood-Robinson
says, contains a mixture of herbs with multiple benefits—one of
which is to improve "microcirculation" in the network of tiny vessels
in the body. Poor microcirculation is thought to contribute to the
development and progression of cellulite.

Echinacea
"Sipping a cup of Echinacea tea may put cold symptoms on the run, or
even shorten the course of a cold," Greenwood-Robinson says. Research
shows that the herb is effective in stimulating the immune system for
its fight against viruses and bacteria." Echinacea is potent, and many
experts don't recommend it for prolonged use (some researchers caution
against taking Echinacea for more than 10 days.)

Evening Primrose Oil (EPO)
Hailed as a beauty herb, this supplement claims to help you grow healthy
skin, hair, and nails. Other studies show it can help alleviate premenstrual
syndrome.

Garlic
Research shows that garlic may help improve cholesterol levels and protect
against breast cancer. Long hailed as a natural antibiotic, garlic can
stimulate the immune system, so it's a popular supplement among those wishing
to ward of colds and bronchitis. Research suggests garlic may help prevent
bacterial or fungal infections, including yeast infections.

Garcinia cambogia
Also known as HCA (hydroxycitric acid), this supplement is found
predominately in a particular Southeast Asian fruit. The extract
is similar to citric acid, and Greenwood-Robinson says it's a good
choice for dieting and appetite suppression. "Scientific research
shows it tames the appetite and may aid in fat-burning."

Ginger
Like garlic, ginger is a culinary herb as well as a medicinal herb,
so it is considered extremely safe. Experts say this herb, grown
primarily in India, China, and Mexico, may help everything from
chemotherapy suffering to painful menstruation. But it's best known
as an aid for digestion. "It is a near-cure for nausea and works
quite fast," Greenwood-Robinson says. "It is also an excellent
anti-inflammatory herb that is effective in treating various types
of headaches, as well as joint pain."

Gingko biloba
This is one of the most prescribed herbals in Europe. Its popularity
has surged in the United States, as well. Experts say it improves
blood circulation throughout the body. This enhanced circulation
in the brain aids concentration and memory.

Ginseng
Both varieties of ginseng (Panax and Siberian ginseng) have a solid
reputation for energy enhancement. This herb can be taken on a daily
basis, but exercise caution. Possible side effects include breast
tenderness and high blood pressure.

HTP (hydroxytryptophan)
HTP is a popular supplement in the United States for its ability to
reduce anxiety, depression and insomnia. Some experts say this herb
might help control obesity, too.

Kava
Kava Kava is also prescribed for everyday anxiety, as well as for painful
menstrual cramps. Experts say it can help with insomnia, too.

St. John's Wort
The flower of this plant blooms around St. John's day, and when you
squeeze the flowers, out comes a red pigment, which is associated with
the blood of St. John the Baptist. In the United States, this herb is
best- known for its ability to improve mood and diminish anxiety, and
it is often prescribed in Germany for anxiety, depression, and
sleep disorders.

Reminder: this article is a compilation of recent research on herbal
supplements. If you think herbals are right for you, discuss the matter
with your physician.


About the author:
Susie Cortright is the author of several books for women
and founder of Momscape.com, a website designed
to help busy women find balance. Visit http://www.momscape.com today
and get Susie's *free* course-by-email "6 Days to Less Stress" as
well as "Spa Recipes for All Seasons" in PDF.