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Herbal remedies
For thousands of years, therapies based on herbs have been an essential part of traditional medicine in almost all cultures. Tyler (2007) reports that archaeologists have found pollen and fragments of flowers from several medicinal plants more than 60,000 years old in tombs in Iraq. Cannabis (C.sativa L.) is believed to have been used in China for more than 8000 years, and poppy has been cultivated in Mesopotamia about 5400 years ago. Even the 'Iceman', the mummified 5300-year-old human, who was discovered in the Italian Alps in 1991, was carrying two pieces of the birch fungus Pitoporus betulinus, possibly using it as a drug. In modern times, eighty percent of the world's population rely on herbs to treat or avoid certain ailments, often because conventional medicine is too expensive. 1
Herbal medicine uses preparations derived from plants or fungi by alcohol extraction or decoction to prevent and treat a whole range of ailments and diseases. In the US and the UK herbal medicine preparations are sold as "food supplements" or "botanical medicines". Practitioners often combine different herbs to adapt a prescription to an individual's ailment.
Today, although many natural products have been replaced by synthetic ones, a revival of herbal medicine is evident and their popularity is increasing. Indeed, herbal medication is increasingly being recognised as a valuable treatment option for a range of ailments and diseases.
Many patients regard herbal medicines as safer and less toxic than conventional drugs. However, adverse effects or unintended reactions can occur. One of the difficulties is to determine how much of an active ingredient is in a preparation and, as a result, how safe or effective a particular dose and form of a herbal product is for a particular person.
Another problem arises due to the failure of almost two thirds of patients telling their doctors that they are taking herbal supplements, and the herbal supplement then interfering with prescribed medications or causing herb-drug related side effects. For example, Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) is known to interfere with aspirin and warfarin; ginseng (Panax ginseng) with antidepressants, and liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) with hydrocortisone, corticostroids, and oral contraceptives.
The following table has been adapted from Kumar, Kumar and Prakash (2007) and cites some of the uses and possible side effects of a number of commonly used herbal preparations.
| Common Name/Source | Use | Possible Side Effects |
| Aloe (Aloe barbadensis) | Laxative | Loss of electrolytes with chronic use |
| Echinacea (Echinacea spp.) | Immune system stimulant; anti-inflammatory; anti-fungal | Severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) |
| Ephedra (Ephedra spp.) | Stimulant; bronchodilator; nasal decongestant, appetite suppressant | Cardiovascular complications; seizures, psychosis; high blood pressure, stroke, urine retention; death in overdose |
| Evening primrose oil (Oenothera spp.) | Anti-inflammatory; sedative; anticoagulant; astringent | Gastrointestinal disturbance |
| Feverfew (Crysanthemum parthenium) | Migraine; anti-inflammatory | Increased hear rate; allergic reactions; headaches, post feverfew syndrome (withdrawal symptoms of aches, pains, and joint and muscle stiffness) |
| Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) | Dementia; memory enhancement; antioxidant | Gastroinestinal upset; headache, nausea, vomiting |
| Ginseng (Panax ginseng) | Central nervous system stimulation and suppression; anti-inflammatory; anticancer; immune stimulat; improved sexual functions | Diarrhoea, euphoria, hypertension; insomnia, hypotension; sleeplessness; vaginal bleeding |
| Valerian root (Valeriana officinalis) | Sleep aid | Decrease blood pressure; heart palpitations; stomach upset |
For the above table, please refer to the article published in Pharmacognosy Magazine, 3(10): 68) for specific references
Systematic reviews conducted by Ernst (2006) "leave little doubt" that some herbal medicines are effective in treating some clinical conditions and adverse reactions are rare. However, more systematic research is needed to verify and strengthen the findings.
Therefore, if you experience adverse effects, stop taking the herbal preparation immediately. Always consult a trained herbalist before taking herbal medicines to minimise experiencing any unwanted side effects.
1. Stickel and Seitz, 2000
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