How Safe Is Herbal Medicine?

"All herbs are safe; it is okay that I am on medicine from my doctor and still take these supplements."

These are statements that one may hear if they question the safety of herbs or herbal therapy. However, all herbs and herbal therapies may not be completely safe for everyone. So, before someone delves into those theories, perhaps it is best to understand what herbal medicine is.

So, What Is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is not just going to the pantry and shaking out some oregano and declaring you cured. Actually, it is based on ancient forms of healing. Our ancestors used what was found out in nature to heal and to prevent ailments. Native Americans truly believed and still believe that all we need in life, Mother Earth will provide; meaning, there is no need to take synthetic pills to cure. However, it is interesting that some synthetic drugs have been based on aspects of nature.

Herbal Examples

Not all herbs are created equally. Some herbs are not for human consumption. At least not the way they are presented in nature. Perhaps some of these have hidden properties, but they have not been discovered yet. It may be that they are only to be combined with certain properties to make them safe. That is one of the funny things about nature; you must never underestimate it and the powers that have yet to be uncovered. Some herbs are merely for spicing up that stew or to make your house smell better. However, some may truly have medicinal properties. A few examples of these herbs would be:

Garlic - Garlic has been used in many Italian dishes, but it has shown to reduce cholesterol and blood pressure.

Peppermint - Not only useful as a breath freshener but it also helps reduce nausea and flatulence.

Ginger root - Also helps with nausea, especially during morning sickness

Oats & Oat Straw - These wonder herbs are full of calcium and magnesium so they help relieve anxiety, restlessness, and irritated skin

Safety Concerns

Once upon a time, there was a thought that it was time to come up with standards for practical medicine and drugs. This was instilled to protect the general public from fraudulent drugs and doctors and hopefully protect them from further illness or even worse, death. It was not uncommon for a traveling "doctor" to come rolling into town with the new elixir that would cure everything from baldness to the intestinal disorder. However, many were later found to be nothing more than watered-down whiskey or a combination of herbs and extracts. These standards are met during the production of modern medical medicines, but are different when it comes to herbal medicines.

The standardization of dosage and purity is not mandated in the United States. It is remarkable that products made with herbs to the same specifications may still be different because of the result of biochemical variations in the plant. Plants have chemical defense mechanisms against predators that may have lethal effects in humans. A couple of examples would be poison hemlock and nightshade; this is why these herbs are not available on the market. A couple of other cases of negative herb use include liver failure due to black cohosh and chronic licorice ingestion, which has led to major potassium depletion.

Herbal Medicine - The Truth About the Himalayan Wonderfruit, the Goji Berry

If you've been in a health food store recently you've probably seen goji berries. They are little dried fruits similar in size to raisins that have a deep red color. With a slightly sweet and tangy taste, goji berries are a great addition to trail mix and can be found in a delicious juice form as well. They typically come from the Himalaya region and are touted for their immune system boosting capabilities. Of course, you can imagine that a food with these properties might have attracted the attention of some intrepid Chinese herbalist thousands of years ago. Well, you're right and goji berries are an important Chinese herbal remedy.

Goji berries, or wolfberries, are known as Gou Qi Zi in Chinese herbal medicine. They are categorized as being Blood Tonifiers and have a sweet taste but a neutral temperature. As a blood tonifier, gou qi zi is very important in preserving the health of an aging body and addressing issues that may come up as a result. This herb travels to the Kidneys, Liver and Lungs and its neutral temperature allows it to elicit change without causing too much strain on the digestive system. The kidneys and liver are two of the more important organ systems to enrich and supplement as the body gets older and the actions of this herb clearly address those organs. By enriching the kidneys, the gou qi zi can treat knee and low back ache, diabetes and impotence caused by a decrease in kidney energy. Its actions on the liver focus a great deal on the eyes. The bright red color of the berries indicates a high content of beta-carotene and other anti-oxidants such as zeaxanthin, both of which are major promoters of increased eye health and vision. The goji berries actions on the lungs is derived from its sweet taste since the berries can be effective at treating cough similar to how a sweet cough or honey drop can help alleviate an irritating dry cough. If I ever end up with a dry cough, I find that a couple of gou qi zi berries in my morning tea can help moisten and soothe my throat.