Herbal Supplements Health Benefits
Herbal supplements are non food substances which come from plant or part of plants including flowers, roots, bark, stem and fruits. Though doctors have in the past overlooked the benefits of herbs supplements, they are now realizing that herbs can treat and even cure some health conditions more effectively than medicine in some cases.
The earliest use of herbs for medical purposes started thousands of years back, where ancient people used extracts of special plants to treat health conditions ranging from stomach aches to depression to insomnia.
Modern studies have shown that herbs supplements can not only treat a variety of health problems, but also prevent sickness and promote general health and well being.
Some herbs are known to strengthen cardiovascular system thus improving heart health. Others lower cholesterol levels while others are known to boost memory and concentration, and increase energy and endurance.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are herbs supplements that are known to treat arthritis. Ginkgo Biloba and ginseng known to improve memory and concentration. There are many other types of herbal supplement that have been proven to cure certain conditions.
However there has been several health problems reported regarding their use. In as much as products are labeled “natural”; this does not mean that they are natural to the body. So you should be careful when choosing herbs.
Considerations when Buying Herbal Supplements
- Pregnant women, persons suffering from any health problem and persons going to have surgery should talk to a doctor before taking herbal products. This is because most of the herbs act as drugs which may interfere with the body functioning.
- Most herbal products have a label “natural” on them. This should not be assumed not to have any harmful effect whatsoever. For example kava herbs and comfrey have been associated to serious liver damage.
- Herbs can act as drugs and they can cause health problems if taken incorrectly or in large amounts.
How to Choose Herbal Supplements
It is very important to do research before purchasing herbs supplements because there is little regulation of the supplements industry. The following tips will help you chose a high quality supplement;
- Read product Label Carefully
Some herbal products may contain very little of the labeled ingredients. Therefore go for a supplement that contains the highest concentration of the specified product ingredients. From the label, look for the herb scientific name, plant part used, ingredients and product expiry date. These details shows you that the product is genuine.
- Go for Reputable companies
It s important to purchase herbs from companies that have a record of high quality and safe product. You should avoid unestablished and new companies until when they have proved the worthiness of their products. This is due to the little regulation of herbal supplements thus some may have cheap extracts which are diluted.
- Check Product Purity
Check for the total ash and acid-insoluble ash of a herbal product. If these are relatively high, that product may contain filters like sand. Such filters lower the product quality and hence avoid them. All this information is available on the product specification sheet. Request a copy of this from your company.
- Join ComsumerLab.com
ConsumerLab.com is an independent product testing firm that tests supplements to deternime that they contain what they should. So join consumerLab.com online and check with them before you any purchase herbal product.
Lastly, it is a good practice to seek advice from a health professional if you are on medication. The doctor will tell you if it is safe to use herbal products together with medicine. Natural products are not always safe with medication.
Benefits of using Herbal Supplements
Herbs can reduce your chances of contacting diseases. For example, garlic is believed to lower chances of developing atherosclerosis by inhibiting blood platelets from sticking and forming clots.
Frequent consumption of nuts is associated with decreased risk of coronary heart disease. This is probably because of their high polyunsaturated fatty acid content.
Glucosamine and chondroitin are known to treat arthritis when taken appropriately.
Herbs supplements like black cohosh and evening primrose oil are linked to relieve some specific effects experienced by women during the aging process. According to a study published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, black cohosh can help reduce hot flashes.
Gingko is known to boost memory, mental alertness and concentration. It enhances blood circulation and oxygenation.
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