| 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.
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