Top Five Plant-based Health Supplements for 2009
Americans spent $23 billion on supplements to improve their health in 2008. Hundreds of different types line shelves across the United States making choice difficult. The truth is supplements can cause health problems and interact with drugs.
ECHINACEA, or coneflower, is known to prevent colds, flu, infections. Echinacea is beneficial in treating upper respiratory infections, wounds and skin problems, such as acne or boils.
NCCAM clinical trials show gastrointestinal side effects were most common. Skin rashes, asthma and anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction) may occur. Abstain if allergic to plants in the daisy family.
GARLIC, is in the lily family. It has been used as a medicine and spice for thousands of years and is processed raw, cooked, dried or powdered. It is used in tablets, capsules, oils and liquid extracts.
Benefits include prevention of stomach and colon cancers, as well as high cholesterol, heart disease and high blood pressure.
Garlic causes breath and body odor. In quantity, it can cause heartburn, upset stomach, and allergic reactions. Garlic thins the blood (reducing the ability of blood to clot). As a precaution before surgery or dental work avoid taking garlic one week prior. Garlic can also interfere with Saquinavir, a drug used to treat HIV infection.
GINKGO BILOBA, also called maidenhair or Japanese silver apricot, uses leaves for extracts, tablets, capsules or teas.
This herb treats asthma, bronchitis, fatigue and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Other uses are to improve memory, Alzheimers, sexual dysfunction, multiple sclerosis and decrease leg pain caused by narrowing arteries.
Side effects include headache, nausea, gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, dizziness, allergic skin reactions and an increase in bleeding risk. Caution is advised for people taking anticoagulant drugs and those with bleeding disorders.
ST. JOHN'S WORT, a plant with yellow flowers, has been used for centuries to treat mental disorders and nerve pain. It is a sedative, a treatment for malaria and an ointment for wounds.
St. John's Wort is used for depression, anxiety and sleep disorder treatments.
Side effects are a sensitivity to sunlight, fatigue, anxiety, dizziness, headache, sexual dysfunction, dry mouth and gastrointestinal symptoms.
Research shows that St. John's Wort interacts with some drugs. The herb affects the way the body breaks down drugs. Drugs affected include: Cyclosporine, preventative of organ transplant rejection; Digoxin, used to strengthen muscle contractions of the heart; Indinavir, used to control HIV infection; Irinotecan, used to treat cancer and Warfarin, an anticoagulant. Caution should be exercised for people using antidepressants and birth control pills.
ASIAN GINSENG, native to China and Korea is an immune system booster. The ginseng root contains active chemical components called ginsenosides responsible for its medicinal properties. Over $70 million of ginseng root is sold out of Marathon County, Wisconsin.
The Chinese believe ginseng helps prevent disease and use it as a body tonic. Benefits include increased vitality, reduction in fatigue and improvement in power and strength. Other sources call it a cure-all, a stress reliever and an aphrodisiac. It is used to treat hepatitis C, symptoms related to menopause., lower cholesterol and reduce heart disease.
Recent NCCAM studies include chronic lung infection and impaired glucose tolerance prevention. A word of warning for diabetics. If using medicines to lower blood sugar or taking other herbs, also thought to lower blood sugar, do not use ginseng.
A three month useage limit is recommended because of concerns about developing side effects. Most common are headaches, gastrointestinal, allergic reactions, breast tenderness, disruptions in menstrual cycle and high blood pressure.
Knowledge, caution and quality are the three keys to making healthy supplement decisions.
Resources:
NCCAM (National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine) NCCAM Publication No. D271 Updated March 2008
All-Natural Top Ten
AP Stories
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Nutritional Tree
Published by Diane Garrod
Graduate UW-Oshkosh, BS Communication, minor in Journalism. Lives on Whidbey Island, north of Seattle, Washington in Langley "Village By the Sea". Resides with husband, two Belgian Tervurens and two parrots.... View profile
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