{"id":63,"date":"2015-02-13T07:05:26","date_gmt":"2015-02-13T07:05:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/?p=63"},"modified":"2015-02-13T07:05:26","modified_gmt":"2015-02-13T07:05:26","slug":"herbal-dietary-supplements-nutshell","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/herbal-dietary-supplements-nutshell\/","title":{"rendered":"Herbal Dietary Supplements in a Nutshell"},"content":{"rendered":"

Before discussing anything about herbal dietary products<\/span>, let us take you back in time somewhere in late 1800s.This is when the medicinal use of drugs first began. Aspirin was introduced into medical practice in 1898 followed by morphine and barbiturates in 1900 and 1903 respectively. Seeing the incredible response for these drugs, acquisitive manufacturers invested whole heartedly in this sector and year after year came up with new synthetic drugs for various diseases and disorders. So, the market flooded with generic drugs of numerous brands. But with the advent of modern medicines, issues such as drug resistance, grave side effects and adverse drug reactions became more and more prevalent. This made people turn towards natural products and thus the renaissance of naturopathy took place. Many health conscious people go for herbal dietary supplements<\/span> these days for promoting health in a safer way. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

What are dietary supplements? <\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Dietary supplements<\/span><\/a> are compounds added to the diet such as vitamins, minerals, essential fats and herbs etc. that improve heath. These supplements are not intended to replace food but may help to make up for the nutrients that your diet falls short off. These may be natural dietary supplements<\/span> which derived from plants or simple dietary products<\/span> such as vitamin pills. Herbal supplements are touted for many health benefits with least side effects. These are enriched with various types of herbs which have been traditionally used for their medicinal value. However some of the benefits promised by the manufacturers are not scientifically proven. So, as a vigilant consumer, you need to assess the dietary products<\/span> carefully and choose the suitable product only after weighing its possible risks. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Following is a list of common herbs used in most of the natural dietary supplements<\/span> that would help you distinguish the real benefits from false claims: <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

NAME OF THE HERB<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

HEALTH CLAIMS AND WHETHER THEY ARE REALLY EFFECTIVE?<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n

\n

Evening primrose oil
\n<\/span>(Oenothera biennis)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Treat eczema:\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treat rheumatoid arthritis:\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive <\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u2022 Reduce breast pain: <\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treat osteoporosis: No<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Tolerated by most people; stomach upset and headache may occur.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Echinacea (<\/span>Echinacea angustifolia<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Reduce duration of colds:<\/span>No<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Boost immune system:<\/span>No<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Heal wounds:<\/span>No<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 GI symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and vomiting
\n\u2022 Allergic reactions (especially those allergic to the daisy\/aster family).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Garlic (<\/span>Allium sativum<\/i><\/span>)<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Reduce the risk of heart disease:<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022Lower high blood cholesterol:<\/span>No<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022Lower high blood pressure:<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Prevent cancer: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treat athlete\u2019s foot: <\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Safe for most individuals.
\n\u2022 Increase in bleeding.
\n\u2022 Breath or skin odor.
\n\u2022 Possible nausea, heartburn, or diarrhea at high doses.
\n\u2022 Topical garlic can cause skin irritation, blistering and burns.
\n\u2022 Asthma and other allergic, reactions are possible.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ginger\u00a0<\/span>(Zingiber officinale)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Prevent motion sickness:\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Reduce morning sickness:\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Reduce nausea and vomiting :<\/span> inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Used as digestive aid:\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treatment for rheumatoid arthritis, join, and muscle pain:\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Well tolerated when used in small doses. High doses may cause abdominal discomfort, heartburn, diarrhea (most often may cause abdominal associated with powdered ginger.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

St. John\u2019s wort <\/span>(Hypericum perforatum)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Treat depression: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Improve premenstrual syndrome: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treat obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD):\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Treat seasonal affective disorder(SAD):<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\nTopically:
\n\u2022 Used for wounds (inflammation), muscle aches, first-degree burns: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Insomnia, anxiety, irritability, gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort, diarrhea, fatigue, dry mouth, dizziness, and headache.
\n\u2022 Photosensitivity.
\n\u2022 Hypomania in depressed patients.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ginseng\u00a0<\/span>(Panax ginseng)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Improve cognitive function:\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Enhance athletic performance:\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Improve mood:\u00a0<\/span>No<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Lower blood glucose:\u00a0<\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Side effects rare, especially when used short term in recommended doses.
\n\u2022 Headaches, gastrointestinal distress.
\n\u2022 Menstrual abnormalities, breast tenderness.
\n\u2022 Insomnia.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ginkgo biloba<\/span>(Ginkgo biloba)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022Improve age-related impairment of memory and dementia: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Improve visual field in glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Lowering blood pressure and <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

hypertension:\u00a0<\/span>No<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Mild gastrointestinal (GI) upset, headache, dizziness, palpitations, constipation, and allergic skin reactions.
\n\u2022 Spontaneous bleeding.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Turmeric ( Curcuma longa)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Anti inflammatory: <\/span>Yes<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Anti cancerous<\/span>: Inconclusive<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Cures cough and cold: <\/span>No<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Excessive consumption of turmeric may cause stomach pains<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

May be irritant to the skin<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Green tea extract<\/span>(Camellia sinensis)<\/i><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Reduces risk for cancer:\u00a0<\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Reduces risk for heart disease: <\/span>Inconclusive<\/i><\/span>
\n\u2022 Controls blood pressure: <\/span>Inconclusive.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

\u2022 Moderate intake of green tea extract is safe for most individuals.
\n\u2022 Nausea if consumed on an empty stomach.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Are Herbal Supplements safe?<\/b><\/i><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Like all other synthetic medicines, herbal supplement products<\/span> also have active ingredients which provide them the medicinal properties. So, it should not be very surprising to know that these dietary supplements<\/span> may cause allergic reactions, side effects or harmful drug interactions. Also, the manufacture of these supplements is not standardized or supervised by regulatory authorities like pharmaceutical companies which follow stringent regulations to bring their products in the market. So consumer must use his discretion and even seek medical advice before starting any supplement. <\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Our ancient medicinal system has mentioned many benefits of herbal products. But there is often a conflict between the scientific evidence and traditional knowledge. Striking a healthy balance between conventional medicines and herbal supplements can help us to achieve \u2018Ayurveda\u2019<\/i> or complete knowledge for long life.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Before discussing anything about herbal dietary products, let us take you back in time somewhere in late 1800s.This is when the medicinal use of drugs first began. Aspirin was introduced into medical practice in 1898 followed by morphine and barbiturates in 1900 and 1903 respectively. Seeing the incredible response for these drugs, acquisitive manufacturers invested … Continue reading Herbal Dietary Supplements in a Nutshell<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[119],"tags":[122,13,123,121,120],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=63"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":64,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/63\/revisions\/64"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=63"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=63"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.othhealth.com\/vitmain-supplements-india\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=63"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}