Recent years have seen a remarkable upswing in the interest of herbal supplements by an increasingly health conscious west. As many people grow wary of the established western medical system (and increasingly unable to afford the skyrocketing price of western health care) the lure of herbal supplements has been increasing. Herbal remedies have been used in traditional medical practices for thousands of years. Presumably the practice was common in the early western world as well as in the east, but it is only in the orient that true herbal treatments have survived into the present day. For this reason, much of our current knowledge of herbal supplements is based on knowledge that has been transferred from east to west.
Herbal supplements can be delivered in a number of ways. Herbal teas are a very commonly used herbal supplements delivery method. This involves heating the active part of the herb (the leaves, stem, roots, seeds, or other part) in heated water and then drinking the mixture. Herbal tinctures are solutions of the active part of the herb in alcohol.
Fluid and solid herbal supplement extracts are herbal supplements that have undergone chemical processes to isolate the most active component of the herbal supplement and may then be delivered in pill or fluid form. Herbal supplements can also be delivered as creams if the active ingredient is easily absorbed through the skin. Some herbal supplements are delivered as essential oils. Essential oils are applied to various parts of the body and, due to their highly volatile nature, are typically inhaled. Aromatherapy is an example of essential oil treatment with herbal supplements.
There are a number of herbal supplements on the market that have a variety of health benefits. Artichoke is said to lower the levels of bad cholesterol in the blood, and Echinacea extract is a commonly used herbal supplement to ward off the symptoms of common cold and flu disorders. Garlic is thought to lower cholesterol levels as well and also has beneficial effects in regards to blood pressure and platelet generation. Peppermint is often used to treat disorders of the digestive system and Saint John's Wort is a commonly used herbal supplement that supposedly provides relief for sufferers of depression and anxiety.
Many people who take herbal supplements to treat various disorders do not realize that herbal supplements can often interact with traditional western medications. The ingredients in herbal supplements, however, are often very potent and can cause severe complications when combined with western medications. It is therefore advisable that anyone who chooses to use herbal supplements should consult their primary care physician to make sure that the herbal supplements that they are planning to take will not negatively interact with any other medications that they may be taking.
