Download Common Herbs

Herbal Medicine
Uses of Herbal Supplements
Physical
◦ For the treatment of sickness and disease.
◦ Athletic and Weight-loss purposes.
Mental
◦ For the treatment of memory loss, depression,
sleep, and stress.
Treatment of Sickness and Disease
All herbal medicines can be prepared as a tea.
Drink a glass 3 times a day, use the dried leaves of the
plant, and usually use about half an ounce of the
herb.
ST JOHN’S WORT
Constituents:
*Red pigment, Resin, Volatile oil Carotenes,Taninnin, Flavanoide.
Common use : Antidepressant.
Investigational uses:Anticancer , antiviral (including human
immunodeficiency virus).
Side effects : photosensitivity (rare, with large dose.
It is named St John’s the Baptist because it blooms around his feast day.
Common Herbs
VERVAIN : ‫نبات رعى الحمام‬
Constituents:
*Glycosides (verbenalin);
*Bitter principle ;
* Volatile oil ;
*Taninn .
* Good prophylaxes for
Asthma and migraine.
Common Herbs
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita and
Chamaemelum nobile)
Mixture of terpenoids, coumarins,
and flavonoids from dried flower
heads
Soothes stomach-aches
Anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic
and anti-bacterial actions
Mild sedative
Common Herbs
Aloe Vera
◦Claims: “Cure all” tonic, for
the treatment of acne, burns,
minor wounds
◦Effective for the topical
treatment of wounds, burns,
and frostbite.
Common Herbs
Aloe Vera
Effectiveness varies with product.
◦ Advised not to use for internal
uses.
◦ Could lead to abdominal
cramping, diarrhea, loss of
potassium, discoloration of
urine.
Common Herbs
Garlic
Claims: Antibiotic, antiviral,
general cure all, lowering of
blood pressure, cholesterol,
and regulation of circulatory
system.
Common Herbs
Garlic
Well studied herb.
◦ Shown to lower
cholestreol by 9-12% in
8-16 weeks of use.
◦ May also possess
antibiotic activities.
◦ Large doses may cause
heartburn.
Common Herbs
Garlic
Used in Europe as an
approved remedy for
cardiovascular
conditions and for the
use of the flu and colds.
Common Herbs
Ginger : ‫زنجبيل‬
Claims: Treatment of
Arthritis, heart tissue,
motion sickness and nausea.
It is possible that it treats
heart tissue but not likely.
Common Herbs
Ginger
However, there are many precautions for the
use of ginger.
◦The use of ginger may inhibit the chemicals
involved in platelet aggression.
◦This leads to increased and prolonged
bleeding.
Common Herbs
Peppermint : ‫النعناع‬
Claims
◦Muscle Spasms
◦Abdominal Pain
◦Diarrhea
◦Irritable Bowl Syndrome
◦Chills and nausea
◦Convulsions
◦Headaches
Common Herbs
Peppermint
Has only been proved to decrease muscle
spasms.
Overuse can lead to heartburn, esophageal
sphincter relaxations, irritation of mucous
membranes, and allergic reactions.
Common Herbs
Green Tea (Camellia sinensis)
Polyphenols from leaves
anti-cancer inhibiting tumor
initiation and cell
proliferation
anti-oxidant
Common Herbs
Soybeans (Glycine max)
Contains phytoestrogens like isoflavones
Reduces health risks associated with menopause: osteoporosis
and heart disease in women
Reduces prostrate, colon and breast cancer
Common Herbs
Exercise and Diet Supplements
IN TODAY’S WORLD, MANY PEOPLE ARE TAKING HERBAL
SUPPLEMENTS TO INCREASE THEIR ENERGY AND WEIGHT LOSS.
Do They Really Work?
Despite these claims, some
experts have serious doubts
about the efficacy of these
herbal remedies as answers
for weight loss and energy.
Exercise and Diet Supplements
Common supplements:
Exercise:
Ginseng
Bell pollen
Weight Loss:
Ephedra
Ginseng
Most common form is Asian
ginseng
A perennial herb of northern
China, Korea, Japan, and Russia
Must be grown for 5 years before
harvested
Ginseng
The root is the most
widely used part
Harvested in the fall
just before defoliation
Ginseng
How it works?
◦Not known…it is suggested that ginseng increases
cerebrovascular flow
Dosage:
◦Usual daily dose is 200mg
Does it Work?
In a 9-week, double blind, placebo- controlled trial of
30 highly trained athletes, treatment with ginseng
produced significant improvements in aerobic
capacity.
But…
Does it Work?
There were negative results in an 8 week, double blind trial
that followed 31 healthy men in their twenties and another
8 week trial which showed that ginseng improved aerobic
capacity in people who did not exercise, but gave no
additional benefit to those who did.
Bee Pollen
Referred to as nature’s most
complete food
Praised in the Bible and
ancient Chinese texts
What is Bee Pollen?
It is the male seed of a flower blossom which has
been gathered by the bees and to which special
elements from the bees has been added. The
honeybee collects pollen and mixes it with its own
digestive enzymes. One pollen granule contains from
one hundred thousand to five million pollen spores,
each capable of reproducing its entire species.
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen rejuvenates your body, stimulates organs and
glands, enhances vitality, and brings about a longer life
span. Bee pollen's ability to consistently and noticeably
increase energy levels makes it a favorite substance among
many world class athletes and those interested in sustaining
and enhancing quality performance.
Bee Pollen and Exercise
Produces an accelerated rate of recovery-normal heart rate
and breathing
It provides energy, stamina, and strength, and enhances
performance levels.
s
Bee Pollen
Bee Pollen contains:
-25% complete protein
-14 beneficial fatty acids
-18 amino acids
-11 carbohydrates
-12 vitamins
-Basically everything needed
for human survival
-28 minerals
-11 enzymes
Does it Work?
Numerous studies have
shown that taking Bee Pollen
does in fact increase your
energy and stamina during
exercise and repeated events
Ephedra
Also known as “Ma Huang”
Popular diet supplement in the U.S.
Has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of
years
How Does it Work?
Ephedrine alkaloids-naturally
occurring compounds which act as
a mild stimulant
Enhances energy
Similar to caffeine
How Does it Work?
Stimulates fat metabolism
◦Burns fat and sugar more
effectively
Reduces appetite
◦Mobilizes stored fat and
carbohydrate reserves
Does it Work?
Numerous studies have shown that ephedra is effective for
losing weight
It is most effective when used with caffeine
Popular diet supplements containing ephedra are
Metabolife and MetaboMax
Sleep Aids
There are many different herbal sleep aids that are
considered safer than, and sometimes as effective as
prescription sleep aids. These herbs can help sleep
by using aromas or teas.
Sleep Aids
Claims and effects:
Helps Insomnia
Helps all chronic sleep disorders.
Helps with headaches and
restlessness.
Sleep Aids
Some examples of herbal sleep aids are:
Chamomile
Hops: ‫نبات الجنجل‬
California Poppy : ‫الخشخاش‬
Catnip: ‫نعناع بري‬
Lemon Balm
Lavender: ‫ورد الخزامى‬
Passion Flower:
Skullcap:
Valerian Root: ‫نبات الناردين‬