Herbs have been a core component of traditional medicine for several millennia. Today approximately a third of Americans take herbal supplements, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. The specific health effects and benefits of each herb varies by the plant itself, but several broad benefits contribute to this widespread adoption of herbal remedies.
Effective
Some herbs very effectively treat various health disorders. For example, a 2006 research study in the "Annals of Pharmacotherapy" discovered that ginseng may help lower both blood pressure and cholesterol levels for general cardiovascular health improvement. And a 2008 study of St. John's wort, published in "Cochrane Systematic Reviews," found that the herb may be almost as effective as prescription antidepressants like fluoxetine. However, consumers should remember that not all herbs are backed by such medical research.
Safe
Herbs are generally considered safer than many types of synthetic drugs, reports the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements. Such perceptions are generally correct for mild herbs like chamomile and valerian, but the office warns that some herbs are extremely potent and should be administered only under close supervision by a doctor.
Economical
Prescription and synthetic medications may be extremely expensive, especially for those not covered by health insurance. Herbs that offer similar health benefits may be cheaper because they often require less processing and manufacturing. A lower price is commonly pointed out as an important reason for users to adopt herbal supplement usage in studies like a February 2005 asthmatic research review in the "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine" medical journal.
References
- "Cochrane Systematic Reviews"; St. John's Wort for Major Depression; K. Linde, et al.; 2008
- "Annals of Pharmacotherapy"; Systematic Review of the Effects of Ginseng on Cardiovascular Risk Factors; C. Buettner, et al.; 2006
- "BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine"; Medicinal Herb Use Among Asthmatic Patients; Yuri Clement, et al.; February 2005
- National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements: Botanical Dietary Supplements
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Herbal Medicine
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