Herbal Medicines and How They Work: St. John’s Wort

St. John’s Wort is another of the most commonly used herbal medicines in the United States. The majority of people who take the herb on a regular basis do so because of the reported benefits of St Johns wort in the relief of depression. Other medicinal uses exist in the treatment of alcoholism and as an antibacterial. On the down side, St. Johns wort side effects may be numerous. It has been shown to interact with a variety of prescription medications and is not recommended for use by people with certain medical conditions, including bipolar disorder.

How it Works as an Antidepressant

The benefits of St Johns wort in relieving the symptoms of depression are believed to be related to a process within the brain known as serotonin reuptake. Serotonin (5-HT) is a neurotransmitter (chemical found in the human body that transmits signals among nerve cells) that plays a role in regulating moods, body temperature, sleep cycles, appetite, emotions and sexuality.

Our understanding of serotonin and other neurotransmitters is limited and sometimes difficult to understand. In simple terms, one nerve cell sends out serotonin. The serotonin floats in a gap (known as a synapse) between that cell and a receiving cell. The receiving cell recognizes the signal and relays the information to other cells. Most of the serotonin is then “taken up again” (serotonin reuptake) by the sending cell and the process repeats.

The theory is that if we can prevent serotonin reuptake, there will be more present in the synapse and the desired signal is more likely to be received by the recipient nerve cell. In the case of depression, the signals that are being sent relate to moods and emotions. Most popular antidepressants are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). It is believed that St Johns wort is also a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor. All of this is theoretical. SSRI medications and herbal remedies work for some and not for others and no one knows why.

Other Benefits of St Johns Wort

In the treatment of alcoholism, a compound found in St John’s wort may reduce the desire to drink. Known as hyperforin, this compound can also be helpful to men who suffer from premature ejaculation, since it reduces contractions of the pelvic floor. On the other hand, this can cause one of the unwanted St Johns wort side effects that also accompanies prescription antidepressants; difficulty achieving orgasm. Particularly for women, one of the most unpleasant side effects of antidepressants is difficulty achieving orgasm.

Hyperforin has also been identified as a natural antibacterial agent. Ultra-purified concentrations of St John’s wort have been found to kill resistant strains of staphylococcus bacteria.

St Johns Wort Side Effects

In discussing most herbal medicines and how they work, I have not felt it necessary to cover negative side effects, because in most cases they simply do not exist. While studies have shown that St John’s wort is mostly well tolerated, there are a number of possible adverse reactions and a large number of possible drug interactions that I felt should be mentioned.

Negative St John’s wort side effects may include stomach upset, dizziness, confusion, fatigue and even sedation. As with prescription and non-prescription sleep aids, caution should be used if driving is necessary, even in the morning. There have been reports of early morning automobile accidents caused by drivers falling asleep behind the wheel after taking a sleep aid or sedative the night before. Caution should also be used when operating machinery, until you know how the herb will affect you.

Probably because of its antibiotic or antibacterial activity, St Johns wort makes some people sensitive to light and more likely to burn in the sun. Once again, you should use caution until you know how the herb will affect you.

One of the negative St Johns wort side effects that have been studied is possible infertility or at least reducing the fertility of both men and women. So, those of you who are trying to become pregnant, you should avoid this herb. And, as mentioned above, women taking St Johns wort may have difficulty achieving orgasm. Men could too, but it is less common.

In my opinion, one of the worst St John’s wort side effects occurs in people who suffer from bipolar disorder. Anyone who suffers from mood swings, depression, or erratic behavior should have their symptoms evaluated by a physician, one who has time to fully evaluate the symptoms and not simply hand out a package of pills. Bipolar disorder, manic depression and major depressive disorders are serious conditions that can lead to aggressive and violent behavior and possibly suicide. In bipolar patients, St Johns wort has been known to cause manic behavior. This is not an herb to be purchased off the shelf and taken without supervision. It is a mood altering substance that affects people in widely different ways.

In addition, if the St Johns wort side effects are not enough, the herb interacts with more drugs than any other herbal remedy that I know of. Medications for epilepsy, viruses, birth control, hormone replacement, drugs that suppress the immune system (commonly used in rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.), blood thinners, heart medications and many others can be affected by St Johns wort. In all of these cases, the prescription drugs become less effective.

A final word of caution is that St Johns wort should not be taken along with any other prescription medication, herbal medicine or illicit drug that affects the blood levels of serotonin. A life threatening condition called serotonin syndrome can result.

My Suggestions

Most people who take St Johns wort are looking for a natural alternative to prescription antidepressants, often because of the negative side effects of those drugs. I suffered from depression for many years and found St John’s wort to be ineffective. Prescription antidepressants caused me too many other problems and made me feel numb, sleepy and headachy all of the time.

My search for a natural antidepressant eventually led me to 5-HTP. I can say that 5-HTP was effective for me, had no negative side effects and I like the fact that it is a natural compound found in seeds, cheeses, meats and other foods. I would recommend that you use good judgment when purchasing the supplement. There are several products that I would recommend, because I trust the manufacturer and the quality of the ingredients. They are Neuro-Natural Serenity, Neuro-Natural General, Female Rejuvenator and Neuro-Natural Sleep. To learn more about any of these products, just click on the product name. I believe that any of them are safer and more effective than St John's wort.

More Suggestions

Regular physical activity improves mood and helps relieve depression. You don't have to be a body builder, just walk for a couple of miles every day. Depression is a symptom of several vitamin deficiencies. Be sure to take a good multi-vitamin every day, one that contains the B-complex, C and D vitamins. All of those are particularly important for fighting off depression, improving energy levels and overall health. If you are not already taking a fish oil supplement, you should know that research has shown that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation improves the symptoms of depression. Along with its many other health benefits.

I know that this has been a very long post, but since I have personally conquered depression in my life, I believe it is important to let people know what worked for me!

Next Post: Herbal Medicines and How They Work: Peppermint

Herbal Medicines and How They Work: Garlic

Garlic supplements are the fourth most commonly purchased health supplement in the United States, according to surveys conducted by National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. When I began this blog, I thought that I could cover herbal medicines and how they work in one post, but, because there are so many different herbal medicines and how they work depends on the different compounds found in the herbs, I felt that the only way to provide the information that people are looking for was to first write posts covering the most popular herbal medicines. Eventually, I hope to cover as many herbs as possible on this site, but today, I'm focusing on garlic.

What are the health/medicinal benefits of garlic?

There are many health benefits of garlic, but first lets look at a component called allicin.

Long before modern antibiotics were available, physicians were using garlic to treat bacterial and fungal infections. Why? When crushed, garlic yields allicin. Allicin is a compound that kills bacteria and fungi. With the widespread use of penicillin, antibiotics and anti-fungal medications, the medicinal benefits of garlic for the purpose of treating fungal and bacterial infections was relegated to that of a "folk remedy". As with most folk remedies, modern scientists have been able to explain why they work, but sometimes they are not used correctly. For example, a fairly popular remedy for cold, coughs, flus and sore throat is a ginger root and garlic tea. Ginger root is a natural anti-inflammatory and fever reducer. Crushed garlic has natural anti-biotic properties, but cooking garlic all but destroys the allicin that was released by crushing it. So, over cooking or even over seeping in a tea could render the component ineffective. This is probably the reason that the ginger root and garlic tea does not always work.

Garlic and Cholesterol

The relationship between garlic and cholesterol levels is a subject of modern interest. Modern antibiotics and other medications have allowed us to conquer many of the life-threatening diseases that were the primary concerns of ancient physicians. So, now modern physicians hope to conquer one of our biggest killers; heart disease.

We know that certain types of cholesterol stick to the walls of our arteries and blood vessels, causing them to become less flexible over time, causing atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. Eventually, the cholesterol becomes hard plaques creating blockages that can cause strokes and heart attacks. Can garlic slow or reverse this process? Some physicians, researchers and nutritionists think so. But, recent research conducted by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has cast doubt on whether garlic can effectively lower LDL or bad cholesterol. To read the results of their research click here and then come back, because there are supplements that can help you naturally control unhealthy cholesterol levels. They are considered alternatives to statin drugs and the risks associated with their use. I call them Heart Healthy Supplements. Click here to learn more. Instead of focusing on a single herb, these supplements contain a number of herbs, vitamins and other natural components that have been shown to help lower unhealthy cholesterol levels. Because of the number of ingredients, it is impossible for me to touch on all of them and how they work, but many are covered in detail at Heart Health Diet Tips.com.

Next post: St. John's Wort

Ginkgo Biloba

This post is a continuation of the series "Herbal Medicines and How they Work", but today we are focusing on ginkgo biloba. Pictured above is the ginkgo biloba leaf.

Ginkgo Biloba is actually the name of a very hardy tree, native to China and other parts of Asia. The name Ginkgo biloba is commonly used now to refer to the extract that is used in many health supplements. Ginkgo biloba is commonly referred to as an herbal supplement, but a more accurate description would be a botanical supplement, since it is not truly an herb. But, on to the good stuff…

One of the most common uses of ginkgo biloba is to improve memory. How does ginkgo biloba do that? Scientifically controlled double blind tests have shown that ginkgo biloba increases blood circulation to the brain, thereby improving the oxygen content of brain tissue and cells. More oxygen to the brain means more clarity, increased ability to focus, increased attention span and a general feeling of being more awake. This is the reason that ginkgo biloba is an ingredient in some energy drinks. However, it is questionable whether the small amount of ginkgo biloba extract in the drinks is actually effective. Most of the drinks contain large amounts of caffeine, which can increase energy, if a person is not sensitive to caffeine.

Ginkgo biloba is used as an ingredient in heart health supplements, because it protects the arterial walls and may prevent atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries. How does it do that? In the same way that it improves brain function, by improving blood circulation. In addition, ginkgo biloba has been shown to prevent blood clotting and prevent blood platelets from “sticking” together, technically referred to as “platelet aggregation”. Ginkgo biloba also protects the cells from free radicals and oxidative stress. Free radicals and oxidative stress are involved in numerous diseases, including heart disease and cancer.

Ginkgo biloba is found in some of the better supplements for erectile dysfunction. Why? Reduced circulation in the tiny blood vessels and capillaries is typically a factor in erectile dysfunction. As with the other health benefits of ginkgo biloba, its effectiveness in relieving or reducing the symptoms of erectile dysfunction are related to its ability to improve circulation.

Ginkgo biloba may be beneficial in hearing disorders, vertigo (dizziness), senility, Alzheimer’s, impotence, premenstrual syndrome, macular degeneration, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), asthma, depression and many other disorders, in which poor circulation plays a role. Apparently the flavonoids and antioxidants that protect the trees from damage and allow them to survive disasters and live for as much as 1500 years can protect us humans, too. The better dietary supplements designed to counter the effects of aging and prevent the development of age related conditions contain ginkgo biloba.

Herbal Medicines and How They Work: Part 2

Okay, I got a little behind on this project. As a freelance writer, I have to take projects when I get them. But here is the second in the series on herbal medicines and how they work. This time we're talking about ginseng, the second most commonly used herbal supplement in the United States.

As a child I lived in rural Virginia, near the Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee borders. Digging "sang", as the folks around there called it, was a extra source of income for many people in the area. Below is a picture of some of the tools used in the Appalachian Mountains for digging "sang".



Not long ago, scientists reported that digging ginseng by the locals had affected the diet and possibly the health of herds of deer in the area. This is just one indication of the popularity of the wild plant.

Native Americans ate raw ginseng root as an aid to digestion and for the health of the prostate. Most interesting to researchers today, is that it was used to retard cancer growth.

Native Americans also dried ginseng leafs and used them to make teas. The teas were used as remedies for coughs, to increase energy and fight off exhaustion, to improve memory and as a sexual stimulant.

The root was boiled and use in teas to relieve menstrual cramps.

The active components in American and Asian ginseng are called ginsenosides, which are steroid like substances. This explains how they work as sexual stimulants.

Siberian ginseng is a completely different plant that does not contain ginsenosides, but is sometimes substituted for Panax ginseng by supplement manufacturers. Particularly when the supply of Panax is limited.

Okay, how does ginseng work to fight cancer? Oncologists have found that ginsenosides inhibit certain processes that are involved in cancer tumor growth. Other researchers have shown that ginsenosides inhibit changes in the lining of the uterus that typically lead to cancer.

Purified extracts from the ginseng plant have been shown in laboratory test tubes to either kill cancer cells, cause a process that causes the cell to "kill itself" or generally prevent the growth of cancerous tumors.

Many studies have been published concerning the health benefits of ginseng. You can read more at Pubmed.com. Just type panax or ginseng into the search box along with any other condition in which you are interested.

Herbal Medicines and How They Work

Here's a look at some of the most popular herbal medicines and how they work. According to surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics, the most commonly used herbal medicines in the United States are echinacea, ginseng, ginkgo biloba, garlic, St John's wort, peppermint and ginger. Other natural products are popular and commonly used, such as fish oil, glucosamine and soy, but these are dietary supplements, not herbal medicines.

Briefly, here, I am going to try to explain a little about these most popular herbal medicines and how they work.

40% of US adults, who use natural products or dietary supplements, use echinacea. As with most herbal medicines, there is some controversy surrounding it's effectiveness. The most recent study, published July 2007 by the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, was a meta-analysis. When performing a meta-analysis, researchers combine the results from a number of previously published studies (in this case 14)and publish those findings.

The conclusion of the meta-analysis was that echinacea reduced the risk of developing the common cold by 58% and reduced the duration by 1.4 days. So, clearly echinacea may be beneficial in preventing colds, which is why most people use it. How it works is difficult for scientists to explain.

If you go to www.pubmed.com and type in echinacea, you will see that there are hundreds of published studies relating to this herb. Most indicate that some compounds in echinacea are antioxidants, some scavenge free radicals, some have anti-microbial activity, some are anti-viral, others are anti-toxin...in other words there are numerous components that can be derived from the root of echinacea. Polyphenols, anthocyanins, flavonols and others.

Historical usage by Native Americans

Given in the form of a tea made from the dried root, echinacea has been used to treat pneumonia, sinus infections, ulcers, cancer and to reduce the effects of aging.

As a wash made from the boiled fresh root, it was used to treat burns, wounds, boils, skin cancer and ear infections.

Other Reported Uses

Treatment of snakebites...anthrax poisoning...natural anti-biotic...immune system stimulant...increase the production of white blood cells...blood cleanser...improve the function of the lymph glands...and there may be others.

Warnings

The only warning for echinacea is that there are different species of the plant native to North America. Another herb (andrographis paniculata) is sometimes referred to as Indian Echinacea. Follow the link to see what one company has to say about Indian Echinacea.

Most of the modern research has been done using purified or standardized extracts from echinacea purpurea (the purple cornflower pictured at the beginning of this post), but echinacea augustifolia (narrow leafed cornflower) and other species may have been used by Native Americans, depending on which species grew in their area. And, there are over 100 studies at pub.med concerning andrographis paniculata, so this one may be effective, but has yet to become popular in the United States. There is a lot of debate over which is best and whether it is best to use fresh herbs obtained from an herbalist or concentrated standardized extracts found in capsules and commonly sold as dietary supplements.

OK, so this was a long post and I only covered echinacea and probably did not cover it fully. So next post I'll try to cover more of the popular herbal medicines and how they work. Numerous books about herbal medicines and how they work are available from expensive to moderately priced, click here to view a list of books about herbal medicines.

Next: Popular Herbal Medicines and How they Work...Ginseng

Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Complementary and Alternative Medicine, often abbreviated CAM, is a field that is continuing to grow. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine defines CAM as a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine.

Some of the practices that currently fall under the category of CAM, at least in the United States, include chiropractic care, acupuncture, meditation and even prayer. Complementary medicine is used along with conventional treatments. Alternative therapies are used instead of conventional treatments.

Herbal, naturopathic and homeopathic remedies also fall under the broad heading of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Naturopathic remedies may include all herbal medicine, but complete treatment plans usually include dietary and lifestyle changes, as well.

The term homeopathic remedies is often misused. I have heard radio advertisements that really annoy me because they say that their product is "homeopathic" and that homeopathic means safe and all natural. In fact, homeopathic remedies may be natural, but the way that they are used is totally different from all herbal medicine and other Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Homeopathic medicine actually means treating "like with like". After evaluating a person's symptoms, a homeopath would select a compound that in a healthy individual would cause those same symptoms. The compound is then diluted until, scientifically speaking, no trace of the original compound can be detected. Homeopaths feel that the water used for dilution retains some aspect of the original compound. Personally, I do not believe in homeopathic remedies, but to each his own.

Herbal medicine, on the other hand, is actually the basis for modern medicine. Traditional healers used herbs in the same way that medical doctors use drugs to relieve, prevent or treat a condition. In fact, many prescription drugs are composed of compounds found in plants, herbs and botanicals that can be synthetically reproduced. For example, penicillin was originally derived from an ascus fungus, a kind of mold. And molds were used since ancient times to treat infection.

Next: A look at some popular herbal medicines and how they work.

Definitions: What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine has been around for just about as long as there have been people on planet Earth. Nomadic groups of people following herd movements and fishing along the coasts gathered plants along the way. Some were eaten right away, some were saved for future use. Although the exact process is unknown. It is likely that most groups had at least one person who was knowledgeable about the healing properties of herbs and other plants.

The knowledge was probably handed down from generation to generation and expanded upon as new plants were encountered. From what we know of ancient texts and traditions still used today by native people throughout the world, the original healers tested the new plants on themselves, before offering it to others in the tribe.

They noted taste, whether it was suitable as a food source or if it could have medicinal value. Side effects were also noted.

Today, herbs and other plants are categorized according to their uses. Some plants are simply food sources. Some have only medicinal value. Some fall into both categories. And, finally there are plants that are poisonous and should be used with great caution, if at all.

Next: Defining Complementary and Alternative Medicine