Driver Lifestyles

Naturally Yours

Are you tired of paying exorbitant prices for traditional medications?

Are you worried about possible side effects of these traditional medications and have considered natural therapies and remedies?

More people are turning to herbal remedies for relief because of the above questions. Herbal supplements, like exercise and healthy eating, can increase vitality and health, and more people swear by these homeopathic cures every year. Herbal supplements have been used for centuries to promote health
and in the modern age they have gained a loyal and devoted following.

Herbal proponents tout echinacea for a cold, ginkgo biloba for memory or the peppermint in the salve your grandmother believed would ease chest congestion. Other herbal remedies are said to relieve constipation and gas, cramps and muscle aches and to treat minor skin infections.

More than 115 million adults in the United States purchase supplements periodically, and more than 45 million adults purchase supplements regularly, making vitamins, herbal and dietary supplements a $10 billion industry.

While some view herbal supplements as safe and natural alternative medicines, they have sparked controversy in the medical community. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate them as drugs, so several plant and mineral ingredients may be combined into one bottle. Though the consumer thinks he is buying a specific herb, he could be getting a variety of ingredients in addition to the one on the label.

In some cases, herbal supplements can do harm and a surprising number of people are putting themselves at risk by using these alternative drugs without being informed about their actual benefits and potential dangers. A study conducted at the University of Iowa and published in an issue of the Mayo Clinic Proceedings reveals just how widespread the problem has become.

Researchers found that the most common mistake users of herbal remedies make is believing that the substances they take actually work. An earlier National Institutes of Health study showed that about 19% of Americans take herbal supplements and more than half the time they're using the substances to treat a specific health condition instead of just for general well-being. The problem is, in more than two-thirds of cases, the preparations have never been clinically proved to be effective for those uses.

Herbal supplements such as kava and comfrey have been linked to liver damage, and the FDA banned supplements containing ephedra, or mua huang, in April 2004 after it was linked to more than 100 deaths.

Perhaps the greatest potential risk, however, lies in possible interaction with pharmaceutical drugs you are already taking. Saint-John's-wort, which has been shown to help in treating mild to moderate depression, is also known to reduce the effectiveness of some HIV medications and heart drugs such as digoxin and warfarin.

Your primary care provider must be an ally in your choice of herbal supplements. To avoid complications, ask your doctor before you decide to try an herbal supplement, and be sure to disclose any supplements you're taking even if you're not asked.

How to choose an herbal supplement
Although new regulations are being implemented, choosing an herbal supplement of the highest quality remains difficult. To choose the best herbal supplement brands:

*Look for standardized herbal supplements
The U.S. Pharmacopeia's "USP Dietary Supplement Verified" seal on a supplement indicates the supplement has met certain manufacturing standards. Other groups that certify herbal supplements include ConsumerLab.com, Good Housekeeping and NSF International.

*Buy only single-herb products
Choose products that clearly show how much of the herb each dose contains. Some products are mixtures of several herbs with unknown proportions of each.

A word of caution
-Be wary of herbal supplements manufactured outside the United States. Toxic ingredients and prescription drugs have been found in some herbal supplements manufactured in other countries.

-Don't drink chamomile tea without knowing what medications it interacts with.

-If you're always fatigued, it can be tempting to turn to herbs and other natural products to boost your energy. This tiredness should be diagnosed and treated by a medical professional, not
with home remedies.

-If you have replaced coffee or soft drinks with energy beverages
that contain caffeine and a slew of vitamins and herbs, be careful. Not enough is known at this time about the combined effects of these ingredients.

-Don't rely soley on the manufacturer's website for information about safety and side effects.

-Be cautious if taking herbal laxatives or "dieter's teas." Stimulant laxatives such as senna should not be used for longer than a week without consulting a doctor or other health provider.

-Tell your doctor about the herbs or supplements you're taking. Don't stop taking medications on your own.

-When considering the use of herbal supplements/alternative remedies, it's important to remember that they are essentially drugs, and the best way to use them is to separate fact from fiction and to learn as much as possible about their effects.

Popular herbal supplements you might try:

Valerian Root
Known for its calming effects, including cramp and muscle ache reduction. It is also a natural sleeping aid and can soothe you to sleep if taken an hour before bedtime.

Golden Salve
A topical ointment for curing burns, scrapes and cuts. It has an earthy, distinct aroma and can be applied anywhere on the body or under a Band-Aid. It works much like Neosporin.

Black Walnut Extract
A topical and oral tincture to treat athleteís foot, eczema, rashes and other minor skin infections. Mix in a soft drink or as directed. Can also be applied directly to the skin. Dark in color, water soluble.

Catnip and Fennel
This herbal combination is used to relieve constipation and gas and promote a healthy digestive system.


For additional herbal supplements information, visit these web locations:

Medicine Plus
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

Ayurvediccure.com
http://www.ayurvediccure.com/

NCCAM - National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine
http://nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
http://www.mskcc.org/mskcc/html/11570.cfm