Herbal supplements, also known as botanical dietary supplements, are plants themselves, parts of plants, or extracts of plants that have some medicinal or therapeutic value. Herbal supplements come in many forms, such as fresh or dry products, liquid or solid extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, tea bags, and others.
Common Herbs
While research on herbal medicines is growing, their short- and long-term benefits and risks, as well as their active, active ingredients, remain largely unknown. Before you take herbal supplements, we recommend that you fully communicate with your doctor. The following are some common herbs and their main effects, for reference only.
- Echinacea
Echinacea is used as a dietary supplement to treat the common cold and other infections because it may stimulate the immune system to fight infections more effectively. Echinacea preparations can also be applied directly to the skin to treat wounds and improve the skin.
- Evening Primrose Oil
The plant is traditionally used to treat bruises, hemorrhoids, digestive problems and sore throats. Its healing effect on scars is due to its gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) content. GLA is an omega-6 fatty acid found in vegetable oils.
- White Chrysanthemum
It is a traditional herbal remedy commonly used to prevent migraines.
- Garlic (Allicin)
Garlic contains a sulfur compound called allicin, which has many health benefits. Garlic is low in calories and rich in vitamin C, vitamin B6 and manganese. Garlic promotes heart and immune system health through its antioxidant properties, and helps maintain healthy blood circulation.
- Ginger
Gingerol contained in ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Ginger is commonly used for various types of "stomach problems," including motion sickness, morning sickness, colic, upset stomach, gas, diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and nausea. Other uses include relief of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), osteoarthritis, menstrual pain and other conditions.
- Ginkgo
Ginkgo seeds contain certain substances that kill bacteria and fungi that cause infections in the body. Ginkgo can improve blood circulation and help the brain, eyes, ears and legs work better. As an antioxidant, it slows Alzheimer's disease and benefits brain health.
- St. John's Wort
St. John's wort is a plant with yellow flowers. St. John's wort is most commonly used as a dietary supplement to treat depression. It's worth noting that St. John's wort can weaken the efficacy of many medications, and it is strongly recommended to avoid concomitant use with both over-the-counter and prescription medications.
Related Research Information
Various herbs have been used in traditional medicine to treat diabetes. Researchers conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of herbal supplements on glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes. Results showed that using sweet potatoes, milk thistle, and fenugreek for at least 8 weeks improved blood sugar control. In addition to dietary control or medication, supplementation with these herbs may provide an alternative for people with type 2 diabetes who cannot meet their blood sugar control goals.[1]
Taking a 16-week supplement with a multivitamin, mineral, and herbal formula may benefit working memory in older women at risk of cognitive decline, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.[2] In addition, positive results were obtained on herbal-vitamin combinations from another trial that examined the effects of a complex antioxidant blend consisting of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, lipids, and herbal extracts, all of which Has antioxidant properties.[3]
References
- Naeti Suksomboon. (2011). "Meta-analysis of the effect of herbal supplement on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes." Journal of Ethnopharmacology 137(3), 1328-1333.
- Helen Macpherson. (2012). "Memory improvements in elderly women following 16 weeks treatment with a combined multivitamin, mineral and herbal supplement." Psychopharmacology 220, 351–365.
- Summers, William K. (2010). "Complex Antioxidant Blend Improves Memory in Community-Dwelling Seniors." Journal of Alzheimer's Disease 19(2), 429-439.
※ These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug
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