What is herbal medicine good for?

Herbal medicine treats many conditions, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome, among others. Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a trained health care provider. Be sure to consult with your doctor or pharmacist before self-treating. Some common herbs and their uses are discussed below.

* Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), particularly a standardized extract known as EGb 761, appears to produce improvements in awareness, judgment, and social function in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Randomized controlled studies assessing the use of ginkgo supplements for Alzheimer's disease in individuals older than 65 years have produced positive results.
* Kava kava (Piper methysticum) has become popular as a treatment for anxiety, but recent reports have traced liver damage to enough people who have used kava that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning regarding its use, while other countries, such as Germany, France, and Canada, have taken kava off of the market. However, there is no definitive proof that kava alone is responsible for liver damage in humans. Kava has been used traditionally for thousands of years.
* Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) is used by over 2 million men in the United States for the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The evidence suggests that saw palmetto provides mild-to-moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow measures. Saw palmetto produces similar improvement in urinary symptoms and flow compared to finasteride (Proscar), a pharmaceutical drug used in BPH, and is associated with fewer adverse treatment events.
* St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) is well known for its antidepressant effects. The clinical efficacy of some standardized St. John's wort standardized extracts in the treatment of mild and moderate depression has been demonstrated in about 40 controlled clinical trials.
* Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) has had a long tradition as a sleep-inducing agent, with the added benefit of producing no hangover feeling the next day.
* Echinacea preparations (from Echinacea purpurea and other Echinacea species) may improve the body's natural immunity. Echinacea is one of the most commonly used herbal products, but controversy exists about its benefit in the prevention and treatment of the common cold. A meta-analysis of 14 clinical studies evaluating the effect of echinacea on the incidence and duration of the common cold found that echinacea supplements decreased the odds of developing the common cold by 58% and the duration of a cold by 1.4 days.

Standardized herbal supplements are the best way to ensure proper dosages and effects similar to human clinical trials. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which herbal supplements are the best choice for your health concerns.