Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine is the use of plants-their leaves, stems, bark, flowers, fruits, and seeds-to prevent or cure disease.
WHEN IT IS USED
For practitioners of herbal medicine, especially Chinese herbalists, there is a plant remedy for almost every disorder. In general, herbs are effective for treating minor ailments such as digestive problems, flu, cough, headache, and rash.
HOW IT WORKS
Herbal medicines that bring about a desired result are found in laboratory analyses to contain substances that trigger specific biochemical responses. For example, the inner bark of a certain type of willow tree chewed by Native Americans to alleviate headaches and other pains contains salicylic acid, the active ingredient of aspirin. Some herbalists still recommend white willow to treat headaches, arthritis, and other painful conditions, contending that it is less likely to produce stomach upset and other adverse effects of aspirin.
Unlike conventional drugs, herbal remedies per se do not have the supervision of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Therefore, the consumer has no way of knowing whether an herbal product has been subjected to scientific testing to measure its safety and effectiveness. FDA rules require that herbal products be marketed as foods or food additives and that their labels not make specific medical claims or provide dosage information. Hence, people who use herbal remedies usually turn to books or rely upon the advice of an herbalist or other alternative practitioner.
PRECAUTIONS
- Many plants are poisonous. Make sure that you know exactly what is in an herbal remedy before you take it internally.
- Before using any herbal remedy for a child’s illness, consult a pediatrician or pediatric nurse.
- Take only the recommended dosage. Herbal products that are safe in small amounts can produce severe side effects when taken in larger doses. For example, a plant substance that may be an effective laxative in small quantities can often provoke severe diarrhea when taken in a larger dosage.
- Monitor yourself for possible side effects. If you develop a widespread rash, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or other signs of a severe reaction, call a doctor or go to your nearest emergency room because you may be having an anaphylactic reaction.
