A quick overview of herbal supplements

1. HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
Justine Curati

2. WHY USE HERBAL MEDICINE?
Herbs, or botanical medicine, can be used for a variety of purposes
 Treatment or prevention of diseases
 Treatment or prevention of common illnesses, such as the cold
and flu
 Allergies
 Asthma
 Migraines
The list is truly endless..

3. WHAT ARE SOME COMMONLY USED
HERBS?
 Echinacea
 St, John’s Wort
 Saw Palmetto
 Garlic
 Ginseng
 Chamomile
 Ginger
 Evening Primrose Oil
 Milk Thistle

4. PRECAUTIONS WHEN USING HERBAL
SUPPLEMENTS
 Can react with other medications (NHS Choices, 2012).
 Herbs can have side effects too! Just like medications, you do risk
potential side effects with herbs (NHS Choices, 2014).
 Keep out of reach of children, as with all medications and
supplements.

5. PRECAUTIONS, CONT’D
 There is such little regulation over herbal supplements
 Standardized herbs simply guarantee that there is a specific amount
of active ingredients in the herb (University of Maryland, 2015).
 You can never be really sure how much of the active ingredients
you are actually getting
 There are many factors determining the efficacy of the herb,
such as the environment in which it was grown

6. RECOMMENDATIONS
 Always, Always, Always discuss the use of any new herb or
supplement with your health care provider!
 Research prior to use
 Seek information for an expert in herbal medicine

7. WHO ARE THE EXPERTS?
 Herbalists
 Naturopathic physicians
 Medical doctors
 Chiropractors
 Practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine

8. HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE???
There are tons of excellent websites providing up to date
information regarding nutritional herbs. A few of those sites include:
1. https://nccih.nih.gov/
2. http://www.csh.umn.edu/free-online-learning-
modules/index.htm
3. http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/article_archive.html

9. EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
AVAILABLE TO YOU
 The University of Minnesota offers a variety of learning modules
regarding all types of integrative healing practices, herbs
included.
http://www.csh.umn.edu/free-online-learning-modules/index.htm
 Here is a link to an herbal newsletter providing tons of information
regarding the use of herbal supplements
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/resources/newsletters

10. REFERENCES
 Kaplan University. (2011). Center for Health and Wellness:
Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Retrieved from
http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/cam.html
 NHS Choices. (2014). Herbal Medicines. Retrieved from
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/herbal-
medicines/Pages/Introduction.aspx
 University of Maryland Medical Center. (2015). Herbal Medicine.
Retrieved from
https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/herbal-
medicine