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Herbals for Health
Amy Nickerson, MS, RD
"To Your Health"
Coalition on Substance Abuse and Older Vermonters/ VT Dept of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living
Many cultures have long traditions of using plants, including herbs, to promote health and treat illness. In some remote parts of the world, medicinal plants and herbs remain the primary form of medication. We are fortunate to have access to both modern medications and herbals.
Some common herbal remedies include:
Mint, for indigestion;
Ginger for nausea and motion sickness;
Lemon for perking the appetite;
Chamomile for insomnia.
Traditional healers typically study and apprentice for many years until they develop a subjective feel for their therapies. They must learn to judge the safety and potency of individual plants. Today's knowledge of herbal therapies is based on their history and wisdom.
Like modern medications that are manufactured in a laboratory under carefully controlled conditions, medicinal herbs carry both risks and benefits. Herbalists contend that plants are likely to contain complex mixtures of healing ingredients, as opposed to purified conventional medications that may contain only one or two active ingredients. Because of that, herbals can be very potent. Their potency depends on many factors, including season and part of the plant. Any herb that is strong enough to help you can also be strong enough to harm you. They have side effects. Herbals can also interfere with the normal effects of conventional medications, and carry the risk of sudden allergic reactions.
Because of the rising popularity of herbals, the Federal government is now conducting carefully controlled studies on the effects of certain herbal extracts.
Careful use of herbals can be a safe and effective part of your health care plan. Here are some helpful tips:
Choose your herbal practitioner carefully.
Tell your health care provider which, if any, herbals you are taking or thinking about taking.
Tell your herbalist which conventional medications you are taking.
For more information on herbal remedies and their interactions with conventional medications, contact Amy Nickerson at 802-241-2930 or amy.nickerson@dail.state.vt.us.
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