Herb Education

WHAT ARE HERBS?

Herbs are plants that contain ingredients with active therapeutic properties. These active ingredients may be present in the whole plant or only in a specific part. Many of the world’s herbal traditions also include fungi and minerals.  

WHAT ARE HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS?

Herbal supplements are products derived from plants and/or their oils, roots, seeds, berries or flowers. Herbal supplements have been used for many centuries. They are believed to have healing properties. According to the World Health Organization, large sections of the population in developing countries still rely on traditional practitioners and medicinal plants for their primary care. In America, 50 percent or more adults use herbal and dietary supplements on a regular basis, according to the National Institutes of Health. 

HOW ARE HERBS DIFFERENT FROM PHARMACEUTICALS?

Most pharmaceutical drugs are synthesized chemicals engineered to target very specific biological processes. Herbal preparations are made with fresh or dried plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated and active compounds known as phytochemicals. Over the last 30 years, science has demonstrated that the safety and effectiveness of herbs are often related to the synergy of the whole plant’s many constituents. Pharmaceutical manufacturers often focus on isolating one active constituent, or active compound, from a plant while herbalists and phytotherapists use the full spectrum of the plant (medicinal part of root flower, leaf, aerial part, etc.) to support healthy function of the body.

HOW CAN I KNOW IF A PARTICULAR HERB WILL WORK FOR ME?

Herbalism is an art, as well as a science. No one can predict which herb will work best for every individual. However, the traditional and historic uses of herbs combined with an evidence-based approach informs the efficacy and effectiveness of a particular herb. If unsure if an herb is right for you, seek the assistance of a trained clinical herbalist.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE FOR HERBS TO BE EFFECTIVE?

The success depends upon a variety of factors including how long the issue has existed, the severity, the dosage and mode of administration (tea, capsule, or tincture, for example), the quality of the herbs and how diligently recommendations are followed. Herbs may work in as few as 60 seconds when using a spoonful of herbal bitters to soothe digestion following a heavy meal, to 20 minutes when soaking in a bath with rosemary tea to relieve tension, to days, weeks, or months for tonics to build energy or resolve long-standing imbalances. Chronic conditions may take years to reverse.

HERBS ARE NOT DRUGS

Drugs: Although many prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines are made from plants, they are never labeled as “herbal.” Most drugs are refined and purified chemicals and contain only the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved ingredients.

Herbal Remedies: The FDA classifies herbal remedies as “dietary supplements.” Dietary supplements come in many forms, including tablets, capsules, powders, energy bars, and liquids.

Drugs: As they can be patented and sold at high cost, a huge body of research exists to support pharmaceuticals.

Herbal Remedies: In the United States, researchers are only beginning to uncover the effectiveness of herbal medicine, but a substantial body of research already exists if you look at research in Europe and Asia. Herbal medicines have been utilized by medical practitioners for millennia.

Drugs: Well-documented side-effects and addiction.

Herbal Medicine: Fewer known side-effects. “Based on published reports, side effects or toxic reactions associated with herbal medicines in any form are rare.

POSSIBLE BENEFITS OF HERBS

Modern research shows that the therapeutic benefit of herbs comes from the effect they can have on the body’s systems. Herbs can be:

Adaptogenic – meaning they help the body adapt to stress by exerting a normalizing effect upon bodily processes

Nootropic – meaning they enhance memory or other cognitive functions

Immunomodulatory – meaning they modify the body’s immune response

Anti-microbial – meaning they fight bacteria or funguses

Anti-viral – meaning effective against viruses

Anti-inflammatory – meaning used to reduce inflammation

Anti-antioxidants – meaning they stop the chemical reaction in the body that can produce free radicals + damage cells

CHOOSING THE RIGHT HERBS FOR YOU

Choosing herbal remedies is a personal experience.  When choosing the right option, buy only from companies that have certification on the label, such as “USP Verified” or “ConsumerLab.com Approved Quality.” Companies with these certifications agree to test the purity and quality of their products.

Look closely at the claims made about the product. How is the product described? Is it a “miracle” pill that “melts away” fat? Will it work faster than regular care? Such claims are usually red flags.

HERBS AND PETS

Herbal remedies are a valuable tool in both preventing and treating the issues that plague many of today’s pets. Herbs can be used to treat specific illnesses, somewhat similar to conventional medication, by matching the diagnosis or symptoms to the herbal treatment. Herb may help stimulate the pet’s intrinsic health and vitality. Many herbal formulas available clearly state the intended use, taking some of the guess work out of choosing herbal remedies for your companion.