Anti Aging Nutritional Supplementation Herbs

Herbs Information - Natural herbs for good health

Herbs act in almost magical and astonishing ways: spasms may relax, pains vainsh, constipation overcome, nervousness recede, headaches disappear, colds be banished, allergies counteracted, fevers controlled, blood flow arrested... the magic is endless.

Since early Neanderthal man, plants and herbs have been used for healing purposes and maintaining good health. Even has medical science has progressed, methods and ideas based on herbal healing have sustained and grown in different countries, across different cultures, often being used in exactly the same way. For instance, bitter chamomile is used as digestive aid throughout the world.

Traditional herbal remedies have led scientists to the development of numerous 'modern' drugs; from aspirin, tranquilizers and to heart saving digitalis, establishing beyond doubt the efficiency of 'herbal medicine'.

USING HERBS SAFELY

• Never exceed the manufacturer's recommended dose.
• Stop taking your herbal medicine if you suffer side-effects.
• Always seek professional advice if your symptoms persist.
• Do not take herbal medicines in pregnancy or when breast feeding, unless their safety has been established.
• If you are taking conventional medicine, or have any long-term medical condition, check with your doctor before taking a herbal medicine or supplement.
  

Your guide to herbs: A very useful chart on herbs

HERBS	INDICATIONS	DOSAGE	SIDE EFFECTS
Bilberry	Diabetic Retinopathy, Allergies, Cataracts, Varicose Veins	80 - 160mg two to three times daily. Standardized to contain 240mg anthocyanidins	None
Borage Oil	Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, High Cholesterol, PMS	1000mg up to four times daily. Standardized to contain 240mg gamma linolenic acid	None
Boswellia	Arthritis, Atherosclerosis, High Cholesterol, PMS	400mg three times daily	None
Bromelain	Inflammation, Sports Injuries, Respiratory Infections, Dysmenorrhea	250-750mg three times daily on an empty stomach	GI upset at larger doses
Cranberry Extract	Urinary Infection, Kidney Stone Prevention	1 capsule twice daily Standardized to contain 11-12% quinic acid	None
Dong Quai	Menopause, Menstrual Cramps, PMS	500-1000mg three times daily. Photosensitivity at higher doses	None
Enchincea	Common Cold, Viral Infection, Impaired Immune Function	250mg two to four times daily Standardized to contain 3.5-4% total echinacosides	None
Evening Primrose Oil	(See Borage Oil)	Borage Oil has five times the GLA of Evening Primrose Oil
Feverfew	Migraine Headaches, Arthritis	50mg twice daily Standardized to contain 0.2% parthenolides	None
Garlic	Infections, High Cholesterol, High Blood Pressure, Diabetes	300-600mg up to three times daily	May cause GI irritation
Ginger	Morning or Motion Sickness, Vertigo, Arthritis, Nausea	250-500mg up to three times daily Standardized to contain 0.8% essential oils	Can cause GI irritation at high levels
Ginkgo Biloba	Cerebrovascular Insufficiency, Memory Loss, Dementia, Vascular Disorders	60mg twice daily Standardized to contain 24% ginkgoflavonglycosides	Rare incidence of GI upset and headache
Ginseng, Panax	Illness Recovery, Enhancement of Sexual Function, Mental & Physical Performance, Fatigue	100mg one to three times daily Standardized to contain 7% ginsenosides	At higher doses possible anxiety, irritability, breast pain, menstrual changes, hypertension, insomnia
Ginseng, Siberian	Stress, Fatigue, Atherosclerosis, Enhancement of Mental & Physical Performance	100-200mg up to three time daily Standardized to contain 0.5% eleutheroside	At higher doses possible insomnia, irritability, melancholy, anxiety
Goldenseal	Infections, Especially GI Parasitic & Mucous Membrane	200mg up to three times daily. Standardized to contain 0.5% total Alkoloids calculated as hydrostine	Higher doses may interfere with B vitamin metabolism-Not recommended during pregnancy
Gotu Kola	Cellulite, Wound Healing, Varicose Veins, Scleroderma	60-120mg daily. Standardized to contain 60% asiatic and madecassic acids & 40% asiaticosides	None
Grapeseed Extract	Diabetic Retinopathy, Macular Degeneration, Bruising, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Vascular Fragility	50-100mg three times daily. Standardized to contain a procyanidolic value of 95	None
Gugulipid	Atherosclerosis, Elevated Cholesterol & Triglycerides	25mg three times daily	None
Hawthorn	Atherosclerosis, High Blood Pressure, Congestive Heart Failure, Angina	120-240mg three times daily. Standardized to contain 1.8% vitexin - 4'-rhamnoside or 10% procyanidins	None
Licorice	Allergies, PMS, Menopause, Peptic Ulcer	380-760mg 20 minutes before meals. Delycyrrhizinated licorice (DLG) is preferred	Can cause sodium retention, high blood pressure
Milk Thistle	Liver Disorders, Hepatitis Cirrhosis, Psoriasis	100-200mg up to three times daily Standardized to contain 80% silymarin calculated as silibin	None
Saw Palmetto	Benign Prostate Enlargement, Decreased Function of Testes	160mg twice daily. Standardized to contain 85% to 95% fatty acids and sterols	None
St. John's Wort	Depression, Anxiety, Insomnia	150-300mg three times daily. Standardized to contain 0.14% hypericin	At high levels can cause photosensitivity
Valerian	Insomnia, Anxiety, Intestinal Spasm, High Blood Pressure	150-300mg one hour before sleep time. Standardized to contain 0.8% valerenic acids	None