Supplements: Do Not Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water

As a Master Herbalist, I do have a decided slant in this sort of topic. It can't be helped, so I will simply point it out at the beginning. There are herbal supplements that could be very beneficial and I wince every time I see an article that puts all supplements in the same basket. They aren't the same.

It is true that most healthy people don't need vitamins. However, many of us don't get all of the necessary nutrients in our food on a daily basis. Who has the time? Vitamins can be a means of getting those we don't eat.

That said, this is more about herbs than vitamins. The herb industry is big. Most people want to get back to the basics and would prefer a natural remedy over a prescription or over the counter medication. This can be both good and bad, but the good is being ignored in the press. Here are a few "good" herbs that could be eliminated should the herb industry be shut down:

Chamomile: I doubt the teas sold in most grocery stores would be pulled, but some people don't want to take a cup of tea before bedtime. I can tell you that the tea is a far better way of using it, but the tablets/capsules of chamomile would likely be gone.

Cherry: Eating cherries, drinking cherry juice or using concentrated cherry juice (the latter as a supplement) are recommended by many doctors to their patients suffering from gout. The concentrated juice takes less time to get down, and a smaller amount is required to be beneficial.

DGL: Licorice root, from which DGL is made, is great for sore throats and upset stomachs. It is also chock full of sugar, which diabetics can't use. DGL has the sugar removed, making it possible for those with sugar problems to use it.

Fish Oil: Omega-3 fatty acids are very heart healthy. The oil from these fish contains the necessary acids without having to actually consume fish. A lot of people don't like the taste or texture of fish, so this is an important supplement.

Garlic: This is only one of three supplements I've heard a doctor recommend without questioning. It can help with blood pressure, may help with cholesterol problems and is a mild blood thinner. People who have or are at risk for heart disease often take it for those benefits.

Hops: You may only think of beer when it comes to hops, but it is valuable as an herbal supplement as well. It can help someone fall asleep. One method herbalists use is a hop pillow, placed on top of a regular pillow. The scent is supposed to be almost as effective as ingesting the herb.

Herbal remedies aren't always the best choice for every person. However, they can be very beneficial under the right circumstances. If you choose to use herbal preparations, be sure to discuss them with your doctor and pharmacist before starting them. You may also want to consult a qualified herbal practitioner. This will help you avoid side effects and drug/herb interactions.