Herbal
remedies are they safe. Here is some cautionary advise concerning
treating your medical condition or just supplementing your diet with
herbs.
The medical use of herbs is widespread. In a multi-ethnic group of
patients attending an emergency department in New York 22% reported
that they used herbal medicines; use was highest among Asians, 37%. It
is important therefore for clinicians to document use of herbal
medicines as part of the patient's drug profile. Plants synthesize
complex (organic) molecules for their structure and function, and
therefore are a rich source of chemicals. Active chemicals purified
from plants are accepted effective medications e.g. digoxin, and
morphine. When parts of plants or crude extracts of plants are used for
medicinal purposes they are called herbal medicines.
What is the active ingredient in herbal medicines?
Most herbal medicines contain hundreds of chemicals and there is often
no agreement as to which is potentially active. An example is garlic,
comprised of many sulfur compounds, several of which are candidates for
possible therapeutic activity.
How can one be sure that herbal medicines contain what is on the label?
The only regulatory requirement in The US markets is that all products
intended for medicinal use, including natural health products, are
issued a Drug Identification Number. However, these numbers are not
required for raw materials such as bulk herbs. Herbal medicines are not
required to pass any regulatory analysis to be sold as a health food
supplement. There are many examples of herbal medicines that have been
adulterated with other (more toxic) herbs, potent drugs (e.g.
phenylbutazone, synthetic corticosteroids and other prescription
drugs), or heavy metals.
How are herbal medicines standardized?
The chemical constituents of plants vary depending on the species,
variety and part of the plant, with conditions of growth (soil, water
and temperature), and with the age of the plant. These complexities and
variations of chemical content make standardization essential. In some
cases standardization is attempted, but it is difficult and seldom
accomplished.
Plants are rich sources of chemicals and potential sources of effective
herbal medicines. However, more research, regulation, and
standardization are required before herbal medicines can be recommended
as effective and safe therapies.
