Herbal Supplements
Herbal supplements are parts of the weeds, shrubs, herbs, plants or trees to supplement medical treatments. These parts may be roots, bark, leaves, flowers, fruits, or stems.
Herbal supplements may come in various forms, as it is, or powdered, dried parts formed into tablets, capsules. Sometimes extracted and combined with other liquid bases. Herbal supplements are consumed internally or can be applied externally to body parts.
Though herbs and herbal supplements have been used as medicines since centuries, some points of consideration are outlined here.
Proper identification of an herb is very important. Sometimes an herb is known by two different traditional names and sometimes two different herbs have been known traditionally by similar confusing names.
Herbal supplements however of the plant origin and natural still contain some naturally produced alkaloids, enzymes or such complex molecules. The suitability of such molecules to a particular human body should be assessed by a competent medical authority. Therefore, it is prudent to discuss with authorized medical professional or health care professional about it especially when ill or pregnant. Always check the compatibility of the other medicines with herbal supplements. An herb effective in one person may not be that effective in another person because there is nothing more complex than a human body.
There is a proverb in Sanskrit, which says, “Anything in excess is always to be avoided “Herbal supplements are also to be taken in recommended proportions.
However, herbs as medicine can never be neglected. A classic example is herb Catharanthus roseus commonly known as Vinca rosa. This herb is found to be effective for leukemia, a disease of bone marrow where abnormal amount of white blood cells are formed causing severe complications of liver and spleen.
The best thing is to live a simple, regular life so that good health is maintained and no herbal supplement is required.