Natural Remedies
Introduction
Herbal remedies are derived from nature in the form of plants or plant extracts. There are countless herbal remedies available for countless symptoms and it can all be a little confusing! This page will summarise some of the herbal remedies that can be used to treat different conditions.
However it is important to note that there is currently no statutory regulation of herbal practitioners - although the UK government are in the process of introducing a system to regulate both herbal remedies and herbal practitioners. It is a common misconception to think that because herbal remedies are natural that means that somehow they are not harmful. This is not true! Herbal remedies like regular pharmaceutical medicines may have side effects and can be harmful if not used properly. Its is vital to to speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking any herbal remedies.
The below information about natural remedies is from the well renowned Health Store www.hollandandbarrett.com
However it is important to note that there is currently no statutory regulation of herbal practitioners - although the UK government are in the process of introducing a system to regulate both herbal remedies and herbal practitioners. It is a common misconception to think that because herbal remedies are natural that means that somehow they are not harmful. This is not true! Herbal remedies like regular pharmaceutical medicines may have side effects and can be harmful if not used properly. Its is vital to to speak to your GP or pharmacist before taking any herbal remedies.
The below information about natural remedies is from the well renowned Health Store www.hollandandbarrett.com
Herbal Remedies For...
Depression
St Johns Wort and black cohosh - Menopausal and depression symptoms improved in post-menopausal women after they took a combination of black cohosh and St. John's wort.
EPA - Found in fish oil, EPA has been shown to relieve depression symptoms in some studies.
Iron - lack of iron can make depression worse; check with a doctor to find out if you are iron deficient.
Vitamin B6 - Oral contraceptives can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for normal mental functioning. In such cases, vitamin B6 supplementation may improve mood.
5HTP - Depression has been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain. Supplementing with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis and reduce symptoms
Ginkgo - Ginkgo may alleviate depression in elderly people not responding to antidepressant drugs.
EPA - Found in fish oil, EPA has been shown to relieve depression symptoms in some studies.
Iron - lack of iron can make depression worse; check with a doctor to find out if you are iron deficient.
Vitamin B6 - Oral contraceptives can deplete the body of vitamin B6, a nutrient needed for normal mental functioning. In such cases, vitamin B6 supplementation may improve mood.
5HTP - Depression has been linked to serotonin imbalances in the brain. Supplementing with 5-HTP may increase serotonin synthesis and reduce symptoms
Ginkgo - Ginkgo may alleviate depression in elderly people not responding to antidepressant drugs.
Anxiety
Chamomile - Chamomile is an old folk remedy for anxiety, particularly anxiety that causes insomnia. Animal studies support this idea, due possibly to the herb’s calming compounds.
Fish oil - In a double-blind trial, fish oil was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving anxiety levels for substance abusers.
Passion flower and Valerian - A combination of passion flower and valerian has been shown to reduce symptoms in people suffering from anxiety.
St Johns Wort - St. John’s wort has been reported in one double-blind study to reduce anxiety.
L-tryptophan - Research suggests a connection between anxiety and serotonin deficiency and that its precursur L-tryptophan may help reduce anxiety in people with social axiety disorder and neurosis.
Multivitamin - A double-blind trial found that supplementing with a multivitamin-mineral supplement significantly reduced anxiety and perceived stress.
Fish oil - In a double-blind trial, fish oil was significantly more effective than a placebo in improving anxiety levels for substance abusers.
Passion flower and Valerian - A combination of passion flower and valerian has been shown to reduce symptoms in people suffering from anxiety.
St Johns Wort - St. John’s wort has been reported in one double-blind study to reduce anxiety.
L-tryptophan - Research suggests a connection between anxiety and serotonin deficiency and that its precursur L-tryptophan may help reduce anxiety in people with social axiety disorder and neurosis.
Multivitamin - A double-blind trial found that supplementing with a multivitamin-mineral supplement significantly reduced anxiety and perceived stress.
PMS / PMDD
Evening Primrose Oil –this oil contains GLA and may reduce PMS symptoms such as breast tenderness and hormonal imbalances
Vitamin B6 – research has shown this vitanmin can alos help to reduce Pms symptoms
Calcium- May help to reduce the mood swings, bloating, headaches, as well as other PMS symptoms.
Magnesium - may help reduce the risk of mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and other symptoms.
Multivitamin - a multivitamin-mineral supplement containing vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins relieved PMS symptoms.
Agnus Cactus - This herb has also shown to have benefical effects on PMS symptoms
Dong Quai – A traditional Chinese medicine, for menopausal symptoms and menstrual cramps.
Soya - Supplementing with soya protein may help relieve premenstrual swelling and cramping.
Vitamin B6 – research has shown this vitanmin can alos help to reduce Pms symptoms
Calcium- May help to reduce the mood swings, bloating, headaches, as well as other PMS symptoms.
Magnesium - may help reduce the risk of mood swings, bloating, breast tenderness, headaches, and other symptoms.
Multivitamin - a multivitamin-mineral supplement containing vitamin B6, magnesium, vitamin E, vitamin A, B-complex vitamins relieved PMS symptoms.
Agnus Cactus - This herb has also shown to have benefical effects on PMS symptoms
Dong Quai – A traditional Chinese medicine, for menopausal symptoms and menstrual cramps.
Soya - Supplementing with soya protein may help relieve premenstrual swelling and cramping.
Insomnia
Valerian - Valerian may help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep quality.
Hops - Hops is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion.
Lavender - Lavender oil's aroma is known to be calming and may be helpful in some cases of insomnia.
Melatonin - Taking melatonin before bedtime may help reset your body’s internal clock.
Catnip - Catnip is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion.
Chamomile - Chamomile is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion. It is a particularly good choice for children whose insomnia may be related to gastro-intestinal upset.
Lemon Balm - Studies have found a combination of valerian and lemon balm to be effective at improving sleep.
Hops - Hops is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion.
Lavender - Lavender oil's aroma is known to be calming and may be helpful in some cases of insomnia.
Melatonin - Taking melatonin before bedtime may help reset your body’s internal clock.
Catnip - Catnip is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion.
Chamomile - Chamomile is commonly recommended by doctors as a mild sedative for those suffering from insomnia or nervous exhaustion. It is a particularly good choice for children whose insomnia may be related to gastro-intestinal upset.
Lemon Balm - Studies have found a combination of valerian and lemon balm to be effective at improving sleep.
Stress
Rhodiola - has been shown to promote feelings of well-being and support mental function.
L-Tyrosine - Occasionally taking this amino acid before a stressful activity may help maintain your mental capacity.
Asian Ginseng - Supplementing with Asian ginseng has been shown to enhance feelings of well-being and improve quality of life in some studies
Multiviatamin - Several studies have shown that a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement may help people better cope with chronic stress by improving concentration, mood, and energy levels.
Probiotic supplements - may help counteract stress’s detrimental effect on the balance of intestinal bacteria.
L-Tyrosine - Occasionally taking this amino acid before a stressful activity may help maintain your mental capacity.
Asian Ginseng - Supplementing with Asian ginseng has been shown to enhance feelings of well-being and improve quality of life in some studies
Multiviatamin - Several studies have shown that a daily multivitamin-mineral supplement may help people better cope with chronic stress by improving concentration, mood, and energy levels.
Probiotic supplements - may help counteract stress’s detrimental effect on the balance of intestinal bacteria.
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Fish Oil - In one study, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome reported an improvement in their symptoms after taking a supplement containing the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA.
DHEA - is a hormone that has been found to be low in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Asian Ginseng - Adaptogenic herbs such as Asian ginseng have an immunomodulating effect and help support the normal function of the body’s hormonal stress system.
Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause fatigue, but B12 injections have been reported benefits even without deficiency. A doctor should evaluate deficiency and whether B12 injections may help.
Magnesium - Some researchers have reported that magnesium deficiency is common in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Supplementing can help make up for a deficiency.
DHEA - is a hormone that has been found to be low in some people with chronic fatigue syndrome.
Asian Ginseng - Adaptogenic herbs such as Asian ginseng have an immunomodulating effect and help support the normal function of the body’s hormonal stress system.
Vitamin B12 - Vitamin B12 deficiency may cause fatigue, but B12 injections have been reported benefits even without deficiency. A doctor should evaluate deficiency and whether B12 injections may help.
Magnesium - Some researchers have reported that magnesium deficiency is common in people with chronic fatigue syndrome. Supplementing can help make up for a deficiency.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Caraway Oil and Peppermint Oil - Taking peppermint oil combined with caraway oil may reduce wind production, ease intestinal cramping, and soothe the intestinal tract.
Probiotics - A daily drink containing probiotics significantly reduced IBS symptoms in one study.
Fibre - Supplementing with fibre may help you find the right balance of regularity without episodes of diarrhoea.
Lactase enzymes - taken prior to consuming milk or dairy products may help ease IBS symptoms.
Artichoke - In a preliminary study of people with irritable bowel syndrome who took an artichoke leaf extract daily for two months, 26% reported an improvement in symptoms.
Chamomile - may ease intestinal cramping and irritation. The herb is sometimes used by herbalists to relieve alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation.
Probiotics - A daily drink containing probiotics significantly reduced IBS symptoms in one study.
Fibre - Supplementing with fibre may help you find the right balance of regularity without episodes of diarrhoea.
Lactase enzymes - taken prior to consuming milk or dairy products may help ease IBS symptoms.
Artichoke - In a preliminary study of people with irritable bowel syndrome who took an artichoke leaf extract daily for two months, 26% reported an improvement in symptoms.
Chamomile - may ease intestinal cramping and irritation. The herb is sometimes used by herbalists to relieve alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation.
Obesity and Comfort Eating
Green tea extract - rich in polyphenols may support a weight-loss programme by increasing energy expenditure or by inhibiting fat digestion.
Whey protein - may aid weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effect.
Rice Protein - Dieters who are gluten or dairy sensitive and looking to supplement protein might consider rice protein, though its actual benefits for weight loss have not been studied.
Bitter orange - contains synephrine, which might promote weight loss.
Fibre - Several trials have shown that fibre supplementation from a variety of sources accelerated weight loss in people who were following a low-calorie diet
5-HTP - has been shown to reduce appetite and to promote weight loss.
Whey protein - may aid weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing effect.
Rice Protein - Dieters who are gluten or dairy sensitive and looking to supplement protein might consider rice protein, though its actual benefits for weight loss have not been studied.
Bitter orange - contains synephrine, which might promote weight loss.
Fibre - Several trials have shown that fibre supplementation from a variety of sources accelerated weight loss in people who were following a low-calorie diet
5-HTP - has been shown to reduce appetite and to promote weight loss.
More Information
http://www.hollandandbarrett.com
http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/health-information/directory/h/herbal-medicine