By Laura Ragain, Eye on Your Health
sOUTHWEST FLORIDA - In just about every magazine and on just about every late night cable television network you will find ads for herbal supplements. But do they really help?
Some herbal supplements can make a medication more potent, less effective or even produce harmful side effects.
Mark Collum, Pharm.D. Lee Memorial Health System says, “An example include Ginkgo Bolova which can affect blood thinners such as Aspirin and Coumadin. And ginseng which can increase blood pressure.”
Herbal supplements may also harm organ systems such as the liver, kidneys or GI tract.
“They can alter the metabolism in the liver, they can increase or decrease the absorption from the GI tract, or they can have an effect on the kidneys or increase or decrease the excretion of the chemical compounds, " says Collum.
Generally, it's a good idea to avoid herbal supplements, especially if you're also taking medication to treat diabetes or that affects your liver or heart.
“Another example is Eccanacea which can increase or decrease the effectiveness of heart medication, " says Collum.
If you’re pregnant, trying to get pregnant or breast feeding, your doctor will probably advise you to avoid herbal supplements. You should also talk to your health care provider if you drink green tea, because it has active ingredients that can interact with quite a few common medications.
The recent death of a student using Chinese herbal medicine has reignited controversy over alternative therapies. With little regulation and scant evidence of effectiveness, are users risking their health?
Ling Wang, a 25-year-old PhD student, died after taking Chinese herbal medicine to treat a stomach upset and skin rash.
An inquest last month heard that Ling, from Newcastle, fell into a coma and died shortly after taking the medicine in tea or pill form last August.
One in five Britons uses some kind of complementary therapy, according to an ICM poll, but the industry is largely unregulated and there's little or no evidence that many of the therapies work.
In fact, only osteopathy and chiropractic therapy are covered by regulations insisting that practitioners be qualified with a relevant body.
Other types of practitioners may be registered with a representative body. But Ian Cambury-Smith of the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health says: "Although many of these are ethically sound, there are so many of them that it can be confusing, and standards vary."
The government is considering regulating for herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
This summer, a Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council will start work.
It's a single body that will cover a range of therapies, ensuring its members meet certain criteria and will be governed by a code of ethics.
So in the event of something going wrong, you can make a complaint.
"However, it's voluntary, so a therapist can still practise even if they're not registered," says Ian Cambury-Smith.
"And it has nothing to do with effectiveness, so there's no guarantee that the therapy will help you. But it will help people feel reassured that its practitioners are reputable."
Here we look at the safety of, and the evidence behind, the most popular therapies...
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbs - as teas, pills or creams - are used for a variety of conditions.
The evidence: Some research has found that certain herbal blends could have a benefit.
For example, a study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that a concoction of herbs could help ease eczema.
But it's crucial that you visit a reputable practitioner as some medicines have been found to contain banned substances that could have serious side-effects.
Research at King's College Hospital, London, analysed 11 Chinese herbal creams prescribed for eczema and found that eight contained powerful steroids.
For a reputable practitioner contact the register of Chinese Herbal Medicine: www. rchm.co.uk.
Homeopathy
Homeopaths claim to be able to treat a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions by treating "like with like".
They believe a substance that in large doses produces the symptoms of a disease will, in small doses, cure it. So it is diluted until little of is left in the remedy, the idea being that dilution enhances its positive effects and removes the negative ones.
For example, urtica urens from the stinging nettle is used for treating skin rashes.
The evidence: In 2005 an analysis of several major homeopathy trials published in The Lancet showed that homeopathic remedies had no more effect than a placebo.
Sarah Buckingham of the British Homeopathic Association claims that the analysis was flawed. She said: "Most independent scientific observers would regard The Lancet paper as inconclusive."
But Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, agrees there's no evidence the remedies work.
"Homeopaths tend to be gentle, understanding people.
In my view, it's this care and attention that helps people feel better," he says.
Chiropractic and osteopathy
Both use spinal manipulation, aiming to detect and treat problems with the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
"The type of manipulation varies between therapies, and chiro-practors are trained to take X-rays while osteopaths aren't," says Leicester chiropractor Tim Hutchful.
The evidence: A large trial found that spinal manipulation could be effective for low back pain. Both osteopathy and chiropractic are widely accepted by the medical profession, with doctors frequently referring patients.
And both are regulated, which means it's illegal for a practitioner to work without a licence.
But Prof Ernst has some concerns.
"Neck manipulation could be dangerous and has been linked with problems such as stroke. I would advise against letting a practitioner touch your neck," he says.
Tim Hutchful disagrees: "Canadian research found people who visit a chiropractor were no more likely to have a stroke than those visiting a doctor," he says.
Visit the British Chiropractic Association at chiropractic-uk.co.uk; or the general osteopathic council at osteopathy.org.uk
Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese treatment, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. The idea is that stimulation of these points can ease illness by rebalancing the body's "energies".
The evidence: German research last year found that acupuncture was more effective than conventional treatment for easing lowerback pain.
"Evidence shows it may work for some conditions, including osteoarthritis and morning sickness," says Prof Ernst.
"What we don't fully understand is how - there isn't evidence to support the theory that it brings "energies" into balance."
Acupuncturist Persis Tamboly stresses the importance of seeing a qualified practitioner.
"Acupuncture can be dangerous if someone isn't properly trained," she says.
Visit the British Acupuncture Council at www.acupuncture.org.uk
Applied kinesiology
It uses muscle-strength testing to diagnose dysfunction or imbalance in the body's organs - it's thought this can show up as weakness in the corresponding muscle. Practitioners also claim to be able to diagnose allergies or intolerances. Treatment might involve manual muscle stimulation and diet changes.
The evidence: Last year, research published in the journal Chiropractic and Osteopathy found there was little to support the theory that AK can diagnose - some studies found muscle responses were random, while there was no evidence to show diagnoses were any better than guesswork.
Visit the British Complementary Medicine association: www.bcma.co.uk
SAFETY FIRST
If you decide to visit a complementary or alternative practitioner, you should always inform your GP, especially if you have a condition or are on medication.
REAL LIFE STORIES
"I had a baby after I had acupuncture"
Helen Branch, 36, became pregnant with Emily, now eight weeks, after a course of acupuncture.
"I first conceived in 2004, in the first month of trying," says Helen, from South-east London.
"But there were complications - at 30 weeks I had to have an emergency caesarean. Our baby, Max, died two months later."
About a year after that, Helen became pregnant again.
"I thought everything was fine but when I went for my 12-week scan they told me I'd lost the baby. A few months later, I got pregnant again but had a miscarriage. At that point, I hit a real low."
Inspired by friends who'd had healthy pregnancies after acupuncture, Helen began treatment every two weeks.
According to a German study, it can significantly improve the chances of pregnancy and some orthodox fertility experts, including Harley Street midwife Zita West, use acupuncture in their practices.
"The therapist did a lot of work bringing energy back into the area where I'd had the caesarean."
Six months on, Helen was pregnant.
"I continued to have acupuncture through my pregnancy. I felt very positive all the way along, and had a beautiful, healthy baby," she says.
"I really believe it was acupuncture that made a difference. It rebalanced me physically but it also helped me emotionally."
"I had a stroke after neck treatment"
Ten years ago, Frances Denoon, now 38, sought help for a stiff neck from a chiropractor in Bristol.
"My GP agreed it could be a good idea, so I found a registered practitioner,' says the mum-of-one.
In the first two sessions, Frances felt reassured that the practitioner took a detailed history and gave her an X-ray. But on her third visit, he performed a technique called a high-velocity thrust on her neck.
"Suddenly I was unable to focus and felt pain. But he didn't seem too worried and left me lying on the couch."
Eventually, though, Frances began being sick and the chiropractor called an ambulance.
"At the hospital, MRI scans showed that I'd had a stroke caused by a vertebral artery dissection and doctors said it was induced by the manipulation."
Frances lapsed into a coma and was in hospital for two months.
"I made a good recovery but even now I have some weakness in my right side. Afterwards, I started to feel angry. I engaged a solicitor and built up a case against the practitioner but he was cleared because, despite what the doctor had said, it couldn't be proven that he'd been negligent.
"I started a support group, chirovictims.org.uk, for people who believe they've been injured in any way by treatment I'm concerned about neck manipulation and think people should be aware of the risks I'd thought it was a harmless treatment but it nearly killed me."
Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement that contains herbs.
An herb (also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor and/or therapeutic properties.
Many herbs have a long history of claimed health benefits. However, some herbs have caused health problems for users.
- It's important to know that just because an herbal supplement is labeled "natural" doesn’t mean it is safe or without harmful effects. For example, the herbs kava and comfrey have been linked to serious liver damage.
- Herbal supplements can act in the same way as drugs. Therefore, they can cause medical problems if not used correctly or if taken in large amounts. In some cases, people have experienced negative effects even though they followed the instructions on a supplement label.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing should be especially cautious about using herbal supplements, since these products can act like drugs. This caution also applies to children.
- It is important to consult your health care provider before using an herbal supplement, especially if you are taking any medications (whether prescription or over-the-counter). Some herbal supplements are known to interact with medications in ways that cause health problems. Even if your provider does not know about a particular supplement, he can access the latest medical guidance on its uses, risks and interactions.
- Published investigations of herbal supplements have found differences between what's listed on the label and what's in the bottle. This means that you may be taking less--or more--of the supplement than what the label indicates. Also, the word "standardized" on a product label does not guarantee higher product quality, since in the United States there is no legal definition of "standardized" (or "certified" or "verified") for supplements.
- The active ingredient(s) in many herbs and herbal supplements are not known. There may be dozens, even hundreds, of such compounds in an herbal supplement. Scientists are currently working to identify these ingredients and analyze products, using sophisticated technology.
- Some herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, microorganisms or other substances.
- There has been an increase in the number of Web sites that sell and promote herbal supplements on the Internet. The Federal Government has taken legal action against a number of company sites because they have been shown to contain incorrect statements and to be deceptive to consumers. It is important to know how to evaluate the claims that are made for supplements. Some sources are listed below.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Clearinghouse
Pradeep Chauhan
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Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of antioxidant polyphenols. Some studies have suggested that tea's polyphenols may reduce the risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers, if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Another study showed that just 2 cups of tea may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46 percent in women. Other studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. One Japanese study found that green tea lowers death rates from heart disease.
The variety of tastes is quite large: Raspberry Tea, Peach Tea, Nana Tea, Lemon Tea, Cherry Tea – and most importantly – no side effects. It may appear surprising that drinking something like tea should cause anything at all, yet it is important to know the facts. As turns out, caffeine may act upon our moods – especially if you have a tendency towards depression – be aware – consuming caffeine may depress you even more.
Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served. Many companies produce herbal tea bags for such infusions.
Chamomile tea is a favorite herbal tea that many use if they have trouble sleeping. It has natural sedative, antiinflamatory and antispasmodic properties so is also good for cramps. Due to it´s calming benefits it is often used to help relieve anxiety. It is rich in essential oil and can help the digestive system function properly. Chamomile is also very good for your skin and you can wet a cloth in the tea and use it as a skin cleanser or compress.
Rooibos can strongly be recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression or hypertension, as it contains no caffeine and has a soothing effect on the central nervous system.
Delicious Tea to Try
Rose hips (Rosa species ) are members of the rose family. With a lemony tart taste and antiseptic properties, rose hips are a natural source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. They are considered a liver, kidney and blood tonic, and are regarded as a remedy for fatigue, colds and cough.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) leaf, one of the most recognized members of the mint family, aids digestion, calms nausea, freshens the breath and even has antiseptic properties that can help relieve cold and flu conditions. Peppermint has a refreshing cool flavor that makes it one of the most beloved herbs as well as a perfect after dinner tea.
Hawthorn teas are popular among herbal tea consumers who want instant results. The tea is known to help cleanse the blood and aid in lowering blood sugar as well as helping with significant liver complications.
Kava Kava is one of the herbal teas which has been credited for helping with overall heart health, while lowering cholesterol and helping maintain a healthier blood pressure. Kava Kava is the tea which is credited for being the heart healthy tea.
