Pdf download herbs benefirs and side effects

Over the past two decades, there has been a tremendous increase in the use of herbal medicine; however, there is still a significant lack of research data in this field.

As our lifestyle is now getting techno-savvy, we are moving away from nature. While we cannot escape from nature because we are part of nature. As herbs are natural products they are free from side effects, they are comparatively safe, eco-friendly and locally available. Traditionally there are lot of herbs used for the ailments related to different seasons. There is a need to promote them to save the human lives. These herbal products are today are the symbol of safety in contrast to the synthetic drugs, that are regarded as unsafe to human being and environment.

Although herbs had been priced for their medicinal, flavouring and aromatic qualities for centuries, the synthetic products of the modern age surpassed their importance, for a while. However, the blind dependence on synthetics is over and people are returning to the naturals with hope of safety and security. You would need to login or signup to start a Discussion. Importance of some herbs with their medicinal values Herbs such as black pepper, cinnamon, myrrh, aloe, sandalwood, ginseng, red clover, burdock, bayberry, and safflower are used to heal wounds, sores and boils.

These herbs are easy to grow, look good, taste and smell amazing and many of them are magnets for bees and butterflies. Many herbs are used as blood purifiers to alter or change a long-standing condition by eliminating the metabolic toxins. These are also known as 'blood cleansers'. Certain herbs improve the immunity of the person, thereby reducing conditions such as fever. Some herbs are also having antibiotic properties.

Turmeric is useful in inhibiting the growth of germs, harmful microbes and bacteria. Turmeric is widely used as a home remedy to heal cut and wounds.

To reduce fever and the production of heat caused by the condition, certain antipyretic herbs such as Chirayta , black pepper, sandal wood and safflower are recommended by traditional Indian medicine practitioners. Sandalwood and Cinnamon are great astringents apart from being aromatic.

Sandalwood is especially used in arresting the discharge of blood, mucus etc. Some herbs are used to neutralize the acid produced by the stomach. Herbs such as marshmallow root and leaf. They serve as antacids. The healthy gastric acid needed for proper digestion is retained by such herbs.

Indian sages were known to have remedies from plants which act against poisons from animals and snake bites.

Herbs like Cardamom and Coriander are renowned for their appetizing qualities. Other aromatic herbs such as peppermint, cloves and turmeric add a pleasant aroma to the food, thereby increasing the taste of the meal. Some herbs like aloe, sandalwood, turmeric, sheetraj hindi and khare khasak are commonly used as antiseptic and are very high in their medicinal values. This flowering plant has bright yellow flowers and thick green leaves layered with a resinous coating. Chaparral is claimed to help treat over 50 ailments, including cancer, arthritis, tuberculosis, skin conditions, and the common cold.

Chaparral contains various potent compounds that may interact with cancer pathways 3 , 4. In particular, chaparral leaves and stems contain nordihydroguaiaretic acid NDGA , a potent antioxidant linked to tumor regression — the shrinkage of tumors 3 , 4 , 5. Other mice and test-tube studies have shown similar antioxidant and anticancer effects associated with NDGA 7 , 8 , 9. However, because of the significant safety concerns of chaparral, including liver failure, no human studies have been conducted 5.

Chaparral contains many different polyphenols called lignans, which are plant compounds that confer health benefits. The lignans in chaparral are believed to block transcription factor Sp1, which is responsible for replicating virus genes 3 , Although this is promising, chaparral may cause dangerous side effects, including liver complications, diarrhea, and fever, which are especially dangerous for people with compromised immune systems, including those with HIV Furthermore, there is no human research available, making it difficult to know its true effectiveness.

Chaparral contains NDGA, an antioxidant that can inhibit lipid peroxidation. This is a process in which molecules called free radicals attack lipids, resulting in cellular damage. Cellular damage may increase the risk of chronic diseases such as neurodegenerative disease NDGA has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties , which may improve conditions like arthritis, sciatica, headaches, and stomach pain 1.

Small animal and test-tube studies have shown that chaparral may help treat various conditions like cancer, HPV, and inflammatory illnesses. However, there are no human studies to support this.

Most research has shown that chaparral has significant health risks, which is why the herb is banned in many countries. Although NDGA from chaparral is a potent antioxidant, it has been found to have serious negative health effects, including hepatotoxicity, which is drug- or chemically-induced liver injury 5 , 15 , While there appears to be a connection between chaparral and liver toxicity, the mechanism is unclear.

John's wort have been reported, but drug interactions may be of concern. One report 12 described a year-old woman who had taken St. John's wort powder, in a dosage of mg per day for 10 days, and then took one mg dose of paroxetine Paxil. She became incoherent and lethargic and also complained of nausea, weakness and fatigue. Interestingly, the woman had been taking paroxetine, in a dosage of 40 mg per day, for eight months; she discontinued the paroxetine when she started taking St.

John's wort. Studies have shown that St. John's wort extract inhibits serotonin, 13 dopamine and norepinephrine reuptake in vitro. John's wort and antidepressants until further information is available. Given that the half-life of hypericin is 24 to 48 hours, 15 a conservative recommendation would be to wait until two weeks after a patient has stopped taking St.

John's wort and then prescribe an antidepressant. Despite the paucity of evidence for food and drug interactions with St. John's wort, patients who use this herb and then begin taking antidepressants or other serotonergic drugs should be observed carefully for adverse effects. Side effects of St. John's wort include dry mouth, dizziness and confusion. Phototoxicity manifested as elevated, itching, erythematous lesions has also been reported in association with the use of St.

In one case report, 18 a year-old woman developed stinging pain on sun-exposed areas after four weeks of self-treatment with ground St. Her pain was worsened by cold, minimal mechanical stimuli and sun exposure. After she stopped taking St. John's wort, her symptoms resolved gradually over two months.

The patient's symptoms were attributed to demyelination of cutaneous axons caused by photoactivated hypericins. Ephedrine and related alkaloids are the pharmacologically active moieties of the extract of Ephedra a genus of shrubs. The extract of some species also contains pseudoephedrine. Ephedrine-containing products are also marketed as decongestants, bronchodilators and stimulants.

In the past few years, the FDA has investigated more than reports of adverse reactions associated with more than different products that contained or were thought to contain Ephedra alkaloids.

Approximately 56 percent of the reported adverse effects occurred in persons younger than 40 years old; about another 25 percent occurred in persons 40 to 49 years of age. The relatively young age group in which serious cardiovascular events have occurred is of concern. In response to the reports of cardiovascular effects, the FDA has proposed a dosage limit of 8 mg every six hours 24 mg per day for ephedra alkaloids. The proposed rule also calls for a label advising consumers not to use an ephedrine-containing product for more than seven days and warning that exceeding the recommended dosage may result in heart attack, stroke, seizure or death.

The Association of Food and Drug Officials AFDO , which represents state food and health department officials, believes that serious adverse effects to ephedrine-containing products may occur even at a dosage of 24 mg per day. Ephedra-containing products have also been associated with the development of kidney stones.

Ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and metabolites comprised almost percent of a radiolucent stone removed from a year-old male body builder who took up to 12 Pro-Lift tablets daily. Each tablet was found to contain approximately 10 mg of ephedrine. Information from a large kidney stone database shows that this is not an isolated incident; over ephedrine-containing kidney stones were identified from January to June It is not known how many of these stones were associated with the use of herbal ephedrine-containing products.

The risks of using ephedrine-containing supplements appear to outweigh the benefits. Consequently, patients should be advised not to use these products if they are sensitive to the effects of sympathomimetic agents. Concomitant use of ephedrine-containing products and caffeine or other stimulants should also be discouraged. Little scientific evidence shows that ginseng is effective for any purpose.

Nonetheless, this herb has been purported to strengthen normal body functions, increase resistance to stress and improve sexual function. A year-old man with a mechanical heart valve who was taking warfarin to prevent thromboembolic events experienced a decline in International Normalized Ratio INR from 3. His other medications included diltiazem Cardizem , nitroglycerin and salsalate Disalcid ; he had been taking all three drugs for at least three years.

The patient denied changes in drug therapy or diet, and he stated that he was not taking dietary supplements other than the ginseng product. Two weeks after he discontinued use of the ginseng product, his INR was 3. Because of the risks associated with a decreased INR, the patient was not rechallenged with ginseng.

Until studies or additional case reports can verify the interaction between ginseng and warfarin, it would be prudent to closely monitor patients on warfarin who begin taking dietary supplements that contain this herb. A possible mechanism for this interaction is not yet known. Kava is an herbal sedative with purported antianxiety or calming effects. In one case series involving four patients, 29 kava was associated with extrapyramidal effects at dosages of to mg per day.

Symptoms occurred 90 minutes after one patient took a single mg dose, four hours after one patient took a single mg dose, four days after one patient began taking mg three times daily, and 10 days after one patient began taking mg twice daily. The extrapyramidal side effects included oral and lingual dyskinesia, torticollis, painful twisting movements of the trunk, oculogyric crisis and exacerbation of Parkinson's disease.

Kava has also been shown to have additive effects with central nervous system depressants. A patient who was taking alprazolam Xanax , cimetidine Tagamet and terazosin Hytrin became lethargic and disoriented after ingesting kava. Kava should not be used with benzodiazepines, barbiturates, antipsychotics and alcohol. In addition, patients with Parkinson's disease should be discouraged from using kava products. Kava dermopathy has been reported with the use of kava as a traditional South Pacific beverage.

Recently, two cases associated with use of commercially available kava preparations were reported. Erythematous, infiltrated plaques then developed on his face, chest and back. A similar case involved a year-old woman who presented with papules and plaques on her face, arms, back and chest after taking a kava extract for three weeks. In both cases, biopsy revealed lymphocytic infiltration of the dermis with destruction of the sebaceous glands. Because kava is lipophilic, it was hypothesized that kava can concentrate in sebaceous oils and trigger an immune response, resulting in a drug reaction.

Because dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular, physicians need to ask questions about the use of herbal products as part of the medication history Table 3.

Even though herbal products are available without a prescription, medical guidance is necessary because of the adverse effects of these products and the potential for drug interactions. Consequently, physicians need to stay abreast of trends in dietary supplement use, with the realization that for most supplements the adverse effects and potential for drug interactions are not well characterized.

If so, are you taking any prescription or nonprescription medications for the same purpose as the herbal product? Objective information about herbal products can be obtained in publications such as Alternative Medicine Alert and Review of Natural Products Already a member or subscriber?

Log in. Interested in AAFP membership? Learn more. She earned her pharmacy degree at West Virginia University School of Pharmacy and completed a hospital pharmacy practice residency at West Virginia University Hospitals. Address correspondence to Melanie Johns Cupp, Pharm.

Box , Morgantown, WV Reprints are not available from the author.