There are many herbs with medicinal properties, both those used historically before research proved them false and those that science has proven have merit. There are many different herbal supplements on the market, but some are just hype. However, there are herbs that have been shown via research to have merit in certain areas of medical study.
Goldenseal
Goldenseal, from the plant Hydrastis canadensis, has been used by Native Americans for ulcers and skin ailments. Today it is more common to see goldenseal in cold remedies, eye infection tonics and as a cancer fighter. Some people use it as a mouthwash for gum and throat ailments. It is used with dried roots or stems for making tea, in a solid tablet or capsule, or in liquid form. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) is researching the use of berberine, the compound found in goldenseal, for tumor studies.
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut, from the Aesculus hippocastanum, is a centuries-old folklore remedy in which the seeds, bark, flowers and leaves are used. Supplements include horse chestnut for chronic venous insufficiency which is where blood does not return to the heart from the legs effectively. The active compound in horse chestnut is aescin (or escin).
Horse chestnut has been approved for chronic venous insufficiency by the German Commission E, according to "The ABC Clinical Guide to Herbs." It is used in Europe as a treatment and is the only horse chestnut application that research shows is a plausible remedy.
Lavender
Lavender, also known as the plant Lavandula angustifolia, was an Egyptian mummification flower. It was also used heavily in the bath and comes from "lavare" which means "to wash" in Latin. Now it can be found in many bath products and lotions for a calming effect. It is said to relieve anxiety and help insomnia and depression. It can be an essential oil or have the flowers dried for teas or liquids. A study by Woolfson and Hewitt that was published in "Nursing Times" showed that lavender oil reduced pain, heart rate and blood pressure over the other control groups. Most research on the effectiveness of lavender against anxiety symptoms, however, is mixed.
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