Books on botanical medicine are multiplying almost as fast as the botanical products themselves. Varro Tyler, PhD, a world-renowned botanical medicine expert, now deceased, gave us his picks for essential herbal medicine reference books.
Standardized botanical extracts are sold under a plethora of different brand names, making it difficult for physicians and consumers to choose the most effective products. A guide to the most well researched herbal extract ingredients and the brands under which they are marketed.
In Chinese medicine, the common cold comes in several “flavors.” There are “hot” colds, “cold” colds and “part hot, part cold” colds. Each type can be treated with common herbal remedies. Dr. Marcey Shapiro explains how to use warming and cooling herbs to best effect in managing this common condition.
Silymarin, a mixture of compounds derived from Milk Thistle, is a popular herbal medicine for hepatitis C, cirrhosis, and other liver disorders. Clinical trials show that these compounds have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can slow the progression of these diseases. Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have begun a large-scale trial of silymarin in conjunction with conventional drugs for treatment of hepatitis C.
Independent laboratories and private companies are jumping into the dietary supplement rating game, hoping to bridge what many see as a gap in government oversight.
While herbal medicines are generally considered to be quite safe, there are currently no laws mandating physicians to report adverse events associated with herbs to federal authorities. Similarly, there are no laws requiring the FDA to investigate reported incidents. Without better national reporting and follow-up systems, it is difficult to gauge the true safety of common herbal medicines.
As use of herbal medicines continues to grow, supplement industry trade groups are implementing a number of self-regulation systems to try and improve the quality and reliability of botanical medicine products.
It’s not just what herbs you take but how you take them. The form in which an herb is taken has a big impact on its clinical effects. Teas, tinctures, decoctions, standardized extracts and pills containing the same herb may have somewhat different effects. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, a physician and herbalist, defines the different forms of herbal therapy and their merits and faults.
In the US, most people use aromatic essential oils for relaxation and other forms of aromatherapy. In France, they have a long history of internal use for the prevention and treatment of common infections. Corinne Andrion-Israelsen, who trained in the French tradition, explores the history and clinical application of plant essential oils.
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