Jun

30

Herbal and Botanical Dietary Supplements

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Herbal and botanical dietary supplements have been used as medicines for thousands of years. For example, black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa), which is now commonly used to relieve symptoms associated with menopause, was used by Native Americans for a variety of ailments. They boiled black cohosh root in water and drank the resulting beverage for health problems ranging from rheumatism and sore throat to “diseases of women” and “debility.” As far back as 5000 years ago, ephedra (ma huang, Ephedra sinica) was used in China and India to treat bronchial asthma and related ailments.
Many cultures around the world continue to make use of herbs and botanicals for medicinal purposes.
Historic and anecdotal information and scientific data suggest that herbal and botanical dietary supplements have a high level of biologic activity and, in many cases, act as medicines. Despite their widespread use over time, however, scientific evidence supporting their efficacy and safety is lacking.
Nevertheless, many herbal remedies are among the most popular dietary supplements purchased and used regularly in the United States.
Based on historic uses, several assumptions have been made regarding herbal and botanical dietary supplements, despite a lack of scientific evidence. For example, ginseng (Panax ginseng), which can have an unusual and almost human appearance, is recommended for common ailments such as lack of energy, lagging libido, and a poor immune system.
In addition, many herbal and botanical dietary supplements are promoted for uses that are unsupported or have been disproved. Comfrey (Symphytum officinale) has been and continues to be used for a variety of conditions associated with inflammation, including diseases of the gastrointestinal and respiratory system. No evidence supports these uses, however, and comfrey is among the herbal and botanical dietary supplements currently considered extremely dangerous. Another very popular herbal remedy, echinacea (Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea angustifolia), has been shown in three scientific studies to be ineffective at preventing or decreasing the severity of the common cold.
Perhaps the most common assumption about herbal and botanical dietary supplements is that one name refers to one “herbal medicine.” In truth, there are so many common names and parts of various plants that are used that it is sometimes impossible to identify exactly what is encapsulated in an herbal or botanical dietary supplement. Kelp, which is used in folk medicine to treat constipation, bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, indigestion, ulcers, colitis, gallstones, obesity, and genitourinary and reproductive abnormalities in both men and women, actually refers to a huge family of seaweeds and algae. It is extremely difficult to evaluate the efficacy of a substance whose origin cannot be identified.


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