Even with all the advances in medical science, herbal remedies are still a part of complementary and alternative medicine. They are very popular, according to the University of Maryland Medical. Approximately 80 percent of humans worldwide use herbs as their main source of health and medical treatment.
Growth of Herbal Medicine
Perhaps one of the biggest draws for the popularity of herbal remedies is that they are "natural," but according to the University of Colorado Extension Office, natural does not necessarily mean safe. Yet, consumers in the United States spent over $4.5 billion in 2007 on botanical dietary supplements, and the market is growing at the rate of approximately 20 percent every year. The cost of modern medicine may also play a role. Because a doctor must prescribe conventional drugs and may order medical tests in order to do so, those without health insurance may find it difficult to afford advanced medical care.
Modern Medical Science
According to the website HerbalRemedyPro.com, about half of today's prescription and over-the-counter drugs come from lowly plant beginnings. However, medical research isolates the active constituents from an herb and concentrates it into a standardized drug. In some instance, conventional medications may be a synthetic equivalent of their original herbal counterpart, such as aspirin.
Types/Dosages
Herbal remedies come in many forms, the most common being herbal teas, made by steeping the herb of choice in just-boiled water. Additional forms include liquid tinctures and extracts, topical ointments, tablets and capsules. Prescription medications come in similar forms, but recommended dosages are often based upon a patient's weight, age, medical history and other current medications. Herbal remedies do not have the same strict dosage standards, although many of them have medicinal effects and potential side effects.
Evidence and Precautions
Because the FDA does not regulate herbal remedies, there is no assurance that the product you buy will be of the highest quality, or that it will not be out of date, harvested after its prime or contaminated with pesticides. Most evidence for the benefits of herbal remedies is anecdotal, while conventional medicines must undergo a barrage of tests to determine efficiency and safety before they go on the market. Do not use herbal remedies as a replacement for conventional medicine. Check with your doctor about the pros and cons of using conventional treatments or herbal remedies or a combination of both. Do not use any herbal remedy to treat a medical condition unless directed to do so by your doctor.
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