HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS

By: Lindsey Evans Kaplan University HW499-01: Bachelors Capstone in Health and Wellness February 21, 2014

Weve all heard about these herbal supplements, but what are they exactly? Lets break down the words herbal supplement.
Definitions: Herbal: relating to or made from herbs; those used in cooking and medicine. Supplement: something that completes or enhances something else when added to it.

Essentially, herbal supplements are nonpharmaceutical dietary supplements that are marketed to help improve an individuals health. The supplements contain plants or parts of plants that are designed to enhance taste, smell and are also used for their therapeutic properties (Health Central, 2005).

WHAT KINDS OF HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE?

When someone mentions herbal supplements, numerous types come to mind. But, with so many to choose from, how is a person to know what these supplements do? Below are a few of the most popular herbal supplements (NIH, 2013): Acai: Commonly used for weight loss and anti-aging properties. Echinacea: Commonly used to treat colds, flu, and infections.

Ginseng: Commonly used to treat stress, boost the immune system, a general tonic, and as a stimulant.
Melatonin: Commonly used to help individuals fall asleep.

St. Johns Wort: Commonly used to help treat depression, as a sedative, and used as a balm for wounds, burns, and insect bites.

ARE THESE SUPPLEMENTS SAFE AND DO THEY REALLY WORK?

Many people may have the urge to try herbal supplements, but are afraid to. One big fear is whether or not the supplements are safe to use. Before using any kind of herbal supplement, make sure that you do your research. Some supplements cant be taken with other medication and some cant be taken due to a medical condition (NIH, 2013). The governments website from the National Institute of Health as an entire section dedicated to herbal supplements. Its best to read up on all of the warnings and talk to your physician before beginning a new supplement. So these supplements work? Some people will say they do and others will say that they dont, and prices can vary depending on the supplement. Because most of these supplements are still new to us, more research needs to be done before finding out if they truly work. Each person is also different, so the supplements will effect individuals in different ways. Just remember, when buying herbal supplements, most of them are not approved by the FDA (NIH, 2013), so dont expect an overnight miracle.

WHAT KINDS OF ARTICLES ARE THERE ABOUT HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS?

There are many articles out there about herbal supplements. When choosing an article, try to find one that has been peer-reviewed or published by a medical journal or medical website. Below are some articles that may be helpful.

Herbal Spotlight: Rhodiola Rosea for Stress-Relief Etcheverry, P. (2011), Herbal Spotlight: Rhodiola Rosea for Stress-Relief, Kaplan University School of Health Sciences, http://www.healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Herbal%20Spotlight%20%20Rhodiola%20Rosea%20for%20Stress-Relief.html Herbal Alternative Medicine: The Benefits of Being Informed Straub, J. (2011), Herbal Alternative Medicine: The Benefits of Being Informed, Kaplan University School of Health Sciences, http://www.healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/articles/cam/Herbal%20Alternative%20Medici ne.html

WHAT WEBSITES ARE AVAILABLE?

There are many websites available for information about herbal supplements. Again, trust only medical websites or the governments websites for the most trusted information. Below are some websites that may be useful.

Kaplan University School of Health Sciences http://www.healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/

NIH National Center For Complementary and Alternative Medicine http://nccam.nih.gov/ University of Maryland Medical Center https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed

ARE THERE ANY ONLINE LECTURES AVAILABLE?

In addition to journals and websites, there are also online lectures available for information about CAM and herbal supplements. Below are some websites with these lectures.

Herbs and Other Dietary Supplements https://nccam.nih.gov/training/videolectures/herbs.htm

CLIMB: Herbalism http://www.pcc.edu/climb/health/herbalism/

Medicinal Herbs and Supplements www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntLcx3UaZ1o

Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Supplements in Health and Wellness http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AGNwB4ZA4s8

ARE THERE ANY LEARNING MODULES AVAILABLE?

There are also many learning modules available online to help in understanding herbal supplements. Below are a few of the modules available. Integrative Medicine at Yale http://medicine.yale.edu/integrativemedicine/education/resources.aspx Herbs and Dietary Supplements Across the Lifespan http://herbs-supplements.osu.edu/modules/2

Online Training in Dietary Supplements - Boston University https://www.bu.edu/familymed/research/otds.html

Online Educational Modules in Integrative Healthcare - CIRE-IM http://healthandhealingny.org/Institute/integrative-medicine-informatics/onlineeducational-modules.aspx