Herbal Supplements Vs Drugs - Which Do You Choose
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So are you part of the growing trend to natural products, organic foods and herbal supplements? Do you believe that adding these things to your everyday lifestyle will keep you healthier and away from the need for doctor visits? There is a very large part of the population that has made these things their only way of life and have protested the use of anything else but natural organic products. From their clothes to the food they eat to the very way they take care of their health. Is this really a wise thing to do when it comes to the medical treatment of some very real serious illnesses that may come into our lives. Well perhaps we should take a closer look at herbal supplements and those supplements being used to replace the drugs of modern medicine. Read the following article on herbal supplements and the safe use of them then share your comments at the end.
The Safety of Herbal Supplements

Organic herbal supplements and herbal medicines have been used for centuries in order to promote the general wellbeing and improved the health.More and more people are now turning to organics and natural supplements otherwise known as herbals. The rising popularity of herbal supplements has created a new fad if not a new health lifestyle. But before you join the bandwagon, here are some things you need to know about this mean and green dietary supplementing machine.

What is the difference between a drug and a herbal supplement?
Drugs - According to the definition set by food and drug administrations in different countries, drugs are chemicals that can prevent, prolong the life, treat other effects of a health condition, improve the quality of life, and/or cure ailments and diseases, or alter the function of any part or chemicals inside the body. These drugs have approved therapeutic claims. For example, paracetamol is a drug given to bring down the body temperature in fever. Ascorbic acid is indicated for the treatment of scurvy. Iron supplements are given to treat mild cases of anemia.

Herbal Supplements - Herbal supplements are not classified as drugs but as dietary supplements. The main difference is that they do not have approved therapeutic claims unlike in the case of drugs. Moreover, dietary supplements could either contain vitamins, minerals, herbals, or amino acids, all aimed to add to or supplement the diet of an individual. They are not intended to be taken alone as a substitute to any food or medicine.

Is there a growing concern with the use of herbal supplements?
Yes. With the rising popularity of using and consuming anything herbal or organic is the proliferation of fake herbal supplements that threaten to endanger lives. If that is the case, then why are herbal supplements given drug administration approvals? One way of ensuring the safety of the people is to have all candidate drugs, food, drinks, and dietary supplements registered with the proper authority. Otherwise, they would pose more risk with these things being sold in the black market for a hefty sum. We could ensure the quality and safety of herbal supplements if they get proper classification with the food and drug administration. Moreover, people may be able to file the proper complaints in the event a worsening of health condition is proven to be linked to the use of a particular herbal supplement.

Is using herbal supplements worth the risk?
Yes. It cannot be discounted that many who have tried herbal supplements experienced an improvement in their health.Whether this is due to the herbals themselves or due to a placebo effect, as long as they do not worsen the condition of an individual, then using them is worth the risk. But of course, certain things must be considered before taking those herbal supplements:

Your doctor knows best.
First and foremost, consult your doctor before you decide to take any herbal supplements.Ask him/her if taking a particular herbal supplement is safe given your health condition. People with heart, liver, or kidney trouble or malfunction, are usually not advised to take these, or at the minimum is to take these herbals in minimum amounts. All substances pass through the liver and kidney to be processed and filtered respectively. Kava, which is used to relieve people from stress, has been pulled out from the Canadian, Singapore and German markets because it contains substances that cause liver damage. Certain herbals such as Ephedra used for losing weight, contains chemicals with heart-inducing effects that can increase heart rate, which in turn can exhaust the heart and cause heart attacks in several documented cases by the American Medical Association.

Follow the directions for use.
Never take more herbal supplements than what is directed by a certified medical doctor or as instructed on the bottle. Each individual reacts differently to the components of herbal supplements. While it is perfectly safe for one individual to take in a supplement of primrose oil capsules, another person may be allergic to it. So, do not even think about downing one bottle of

It has no approved curative effect.
No matter how the product pamphlet or the label of the bottle sounds about how it has been found to be helpful in certain health conditions, these herbal supplements are not therapeutic. So do not substitute these for the medications prescribed by your doctor for the treatment of certain diseases, or for the maintenance of blood pressure, lowering of blood sugar and cholesterol, and fight off infections.
About the Author:
Paul Hata is active in various social and community programs aimed at providing education,health and jobs to all communities.Paul has over 10 years experience managing successful multi-million advertising and publishing company.Paul can be reached at EarlyPlanet.com

Herbal Medicine Vs. Prescription Drugs: A Challenging Issue
(mind-body)

by Barry Bittman, MD

Herbal medicine is big business.

According to the Nutrition Business Journal, it is projected to account for more than $6 billion of sales per year in the United States by the year 2000.

As discussed in last week's column, there’s no question about the potential effectiveness and side effects of naturally occurring substances. Yet, there is a clear-cut difference in the way our medical establishment including the FDA handles natural supplements compared with synthetic medications.

And it’s quickly escalating into a heated debate.

Many people believe it’s simply a matter of politics. I’m convinced, however, that this is not the case. When one takes time to explore the fundamentals of this ongoing issue, it becomes obvious that there is a rational scientific perspective that should be considered.

It’s a fact that certain herbs have real medicinal value. After all, many commonly used prescription drugs have their origins in naturally occurring substances. Therefore, the question to ask is “why is the medical profession not embracing the use of herbal supplements?”

The answer is based upon four issues that immediately surface¾ efficacy, side effects, potency and quality assurance. The first two concerns are obviously the most difficult to test. It is common knowledge that conventional medications often require in excess of $100 million for comprehensive testing prior to release. Even with such extraordinary measures, it is not uncommon to recall a drug just shortly after acceptance by the FDA based upon problems that surface once the drug becomes available.

The issue of effectiveness is important for two primary reasons. The first is the need to reliably assess proposed claims to confirm the described effects. The second is based upon comparing the relative benefits and side effects of the naturally-occurring substance with approved medications for the same purpose. Once this is accomplished, a logical choice can be made by the physician and patient working together. As a physician and a consumer, I’d personally like to consider information from reliable sources prior to making such a decision.

Of particular importance is the need to carefully assess side effects and potential drug interactions that can result from the combined use of the naturally-occurring substance with other medications or supplements. These issues can certainly place the lives of our patients in jeopardy.

An additional concern centers around what we describe as potency; a term that indicates relative effectiveness per tablet, capsule or liquid dose. It has recently come to light that supplements such as St. John's Wort vary considerably in this regard. Reports have demonstrated up to tenfold differences in the potency of this herb. Assuming that St. John’s Wort is effective for depression based upon extensive European trials, wouldn’t it be devastating for a person with suicidal thoughts to take only one tenth of the known effective dose?

Finally, the issue of quality assurance must be addressed in a manner that protects the consumer. It appears that the FDA's reticence to test naturally occurring substances is based upon substantial variability in growing, harvesting, packaging and preparation of these supplements. It is obvious that an herb grown in Pennsylvania may vary substantially from a similar crop grown in Nebraska. I am particularly concerned about the dangers of herbicides or pesticides that can produce untoward side effects as well.

Ultimately, the medical profession must respond to the popular choice of utilizing naturally occurring substances instead of prescription medications based upon a number of arguments. Proponents of herbal medicines often cite the ineffectiveness of prescription medicines, and the likelihood that naturally occurring substances are more beneficial with fewer side effects. These contentions are not supported by science in most circumstances.

As an example, it has been stated that traditional chemotherapy is relatively ineffective against cancer. Yet, this is clearly not the case. It’s a fact that over 70% of children with leukemia, and more than 75% of people with Hodgkin’s disease are in remission because of chemotherapeutic agents.
In conclusion, as the debate heats up, physicians and scientists must accept the challenge to test naturally occurring substances. It is our responsibility to deliver sound information and advice to the people we took an oath to serve ¾ Mind Over Matter!

A Look at Herbal Vs. Chemical Medications
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By Deborah Dera

Freelance writer and blogger. The world is my muse - I have alot to say and I'm just waking up! Visit my writing blog at http://www.therhythmofwrite.com.
View all articles by Deborah Dera
A Look at Herbal Vs. Chemical Medications

Long before the advent of chemical medications, humans treated their illnesses and diseases with natural substances such as herbs or tinctures. Why then are herbal supplements now considered to be "fads" and "alternative" means of healing? Why are they written off as being substandard compared to modern medicine?

Many who subscribe to natural lifestyles believe that natural cures and medications are more effective at not only treating but also preventing illnesses, diseases, and their long-term effects. Unfortunately, the FDA does not currently allow herbal supplements to be classified as medications or drugs. They are classified as dietary supplements and the manufacturers of these supplements are not allowed to advertise what they believe to be the healing benefits of each herb.

The FDA and manufacturers of chemical drugs would have you believe that the medications you purchase today were once naturally derived from plants and animals. This may be the case, but over the course of time, scientists perfected methods of chemically recreating these combinations in order to mass-produce them without having to grow plants or raise animals. These medications have evolved from natural cures to chemical copies. Many believe this change allowed for the loss of benefit that a natural plant would have provided as our bodies know how to process natural ingredients better than they can process synthetic molecules.

With the growing popularity of herbal supplements, there is of course the fear of dishonest manufacturers taking advantage of the public by selling medications that claim to be herbal or homeopathic but in reality, are not. The public would benefit from a regulatory system to oversee the distribution of homeopathic medications, but rather than protect the people, our government has instead blocked the regulation of natural remedies. They aim to discourage the use of natural remedies and steer the public back into the open arms of pharmaceutical corporations.

If you aren't sure about a medication, do not take it without consulting your physician first, regardless of whether or not it is herbal or chemical. Mixing herbal and chemical medications is discouraged, and you should check with your doctor or pharmacist to find out if there is a possibility for a potentially negative reaction.

Many people, including myself, have found the benefits of herbal remedies far outweigh the negative. For example, most chemical medications I have taken cause me to have side-effects that make me feel worse than the original illness itself. I generally end up taking natural supplements with my medications to alleviate their negative side effects (ie. taking acidophilus to counter the side-effects of antibiotics).

Do your research and make informed decisions about your use of medications, regardless of their origin. Always read the directions on the bottle and never change the dosages unless otherwise instructed by your health practitioner. If in doubt, check with your doctor or homeopathic practitioner as they are well versed in matters pertaining to drugs, remedies, and their interactions. Stay safe, and stay healthy!