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BY: Joann Bally CSCS
There is a great deal of talk about herbs in the media today. So here
are a few suggestions and precautions for some of the big name herbs.
Don't bargain shop when you're looking for herbs. The larger
companies
are more likely to have good quality control, and it's probably going
to
cost you a bit more than some other products. Here are some more
popular herbs that are easy to find.
Popular Herbs
Chamomile is one of the best known herbs. It is used to relieve
anxiety, indigestion, and sore throat. Sometimes used as a mouthwash
or
eyewash, it is generally used as a tea, and chances are you already
know
that a cup of chamomile tea in the evening just makes you feel good.
People with allergies to ragweed, asters, or chrysanthemums may react
badly to chamomile and have to forego it for a cup of another relaxing
tea.
Black Cohash is an old American remedy, having been
used
in Native American remedies as well as having been an ingredient of
Lydia Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. It is used to treat gynecological
conditions, including PMS and hot flashes.
Saw Palmetto. Here's one for men. Saw palmetto is used successfully
in
the treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy. The usual dose is
320-480 mg/day.
Hawthorn has been shown to lower blood pressure and
alleviate
angina. However, since it is not advisable to self-treat cardiac
conditions, check with your doctor before you use this one.
CAUTION Avoid herbal diuretics (dandelion, birch) and laxatives
(cascara, senna). They are too harsh and can upset body chemistry.
Avoid also the herb yohimbe, a prescription drug, which is considered
by
some to be an aphrodisiac, but probably doesn't work and may cause
psychological problems. Bodybuilders also use yohimbe to raise
testosterone and to burn body fat. It probably doesn't work, and the
risk of side effects is too great. There is no lack of other
supplements for bodybuilders.
Tonic Herbs
It is interesting that Native American herbs were mostly
for the treatment of injury and infection, rather than tonic herbs,
that is, herbs that are meant to revitalize and energize the whole
body.
The theory is that their lifestyle was healthful and invigorating, so
tonic herbs were unnecessary. Tonic herbs were common in areas that
were subject to periods of famine and malnutrition. We take a lot of
tonic herbs now, and the most popular is ginseng. It is considered to
be stimulating and invigorating and to improve immune function, but
scientific studies are lacking. A recommendation is to take 500-4000
mg/day for a month in the fall, then take 2-3 week breaks every 2
months. Avoid caffeine or other stimulants if you take ginseng
regularly. Don't use ginseng if you're pregnant or have high blood
pressure. Get your ginseng from a reliable manufacturer, and
discontinue if you develop nervousness or other side effects.
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