Weeding Way Through The Herbal Garden Expert Offers Her Top 10 Herbal Supplements

Herbal tease?

With the growing acceptance of alternative medicine, there’s been a deluge of herbs that have flooded the market, with claims to cure everything from dandruff to impotence.

In an effort to weed through the herbal garden, an expert gives us her top 10 herbs and herbal supplements.

“With all the herbs out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed,” said Anne Khoury, director of the Health Connection Center in Philadelphia. “If you had to have just 10 herbal supplements in your house, these would be my recommendations.”

The results may surprise you, because some of the herbs have probably been regularly seen and used in your kitchen for years.

1. Echinacea. A wildflower native to North America, this supplement is said to support the immune system and be helpful in treating the common cold, canker sores, ear infections, vaginitis and yeast infections.

Interesting fact: Native Americans used echinacea as an antidote for snake bites.

Caution: Echinacea has a limited shelf life, unlike other medicinal herbs such as ginseng.

2. Arnica. Derived from the plant arnica montana, it’s used externally as a tincture or salve to promote the healing of bruises, wounds and sprains.

Interesting fact: Marathon runners sometimes use arnica extract before races to improve performance and minimize pain from muscle sprains and stiffness.

Caution: Some are sensitive to the compound helanin that is found in arnica. If a mild rash develops, stop using arnica immediately.

3. Golden seal root. Used internally and externally to help the body fight infections with its nutritional properties. It purports to help the body soothe inflammations of the mucous membranes and balance their function.

Interesting fact: A combination of golden seal root, astralagus and the aforementioned echinacea are available in pill form.

Caution: Should not be used by pregnant women.

4. Garlic. Said to be beneficial for restoring poor circulation and reducing high blood pressure and high cholesterol when added raw to cooked foods.

Interesting fact: Garlic may not keep away vampires, but it does repel bugs.

5. Gingko biloba. One of the better-known supplements, it’s derived from the fruits and seeds of the gingko tree. Proponents say it can help in treatment of short-term memory loss, headaches, tinnitus (ringing in the ears) and depression by improving blood flow in the capillaries.

Caution: Because it increases blood flow, gingko can cause excessive bleeding in the stomach and brain, especially for those who are taking aspirin.

Interesting fact: In 1988, doctors in Germany wrote more prescriptions for it than any other prescription drug (it’s now sold there as an over-the-counter drug).

6. Green tea. It’s recently been touted as a cancer-fighter and an antioxidant, but it’s been known for its curative properties in Asian cultures for centuries.

Interesting fact: The Chinese say an emperor discovered green tea when a few leaves fell from a bush into his cup of hot water.

Caution: Some studies have shown that adding milk to green tea defeats its healing properties.

7. St. John’s wort. Available in liquid, capsule and dried forms, St. John’s wort contains hypericin, a substance that appears to inhibit monoamine ozidase, a chemical produced by the human body that has been known to produce depression.

Interesting fact: An analysis of approximately 25 studies suggest that St. John’s wort is just as helpful as commonly used prescription drugs in treating mild depression, without side effects such as headaches or vomiting, according to the British Medical Journal.

Caution: Persons with fair skin should avoid exposure to strong sunlight when taking St. John’s wort because of some cases of photosensitivity.

8. Ginger root. In addition to being used as a seasoning in cooking, ginger root also is used as an antidote for indigestion and nausea (especially motion sickness), morning sickness, stomach flu, headaches, sinus and allergies. When applied externally, it is known to relieve sore joints.

9. Ginseng. Used to increase physical as well as mental performance, this root has been coveted for thousands of years for use as an aphrodisiac.

Interesting fact: Varieties of wild American ginseng have sold for as much as $600 a pound, which has threatened the root plant. Cultivated varieties of Asian and American ginseng are now available.

Caution: People with high blood pressure, palpitations or asthma should not take ginseng.

10. Astragalus. Described as a booster for the immune system, astragalus is one of the better-known tonic herbs from China. It has a sweet taste and is used to stimulate the lungs, liver and spleen. Used with ginseng, this combination has been used as a natural antibiotic.

Interesting fact: Astragalus is a member of the legume, or bean family, and is one of the most commonly used herbs in all of Chinese medicine.

HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS The top 10 1. Echinacea 2. Arnica 3. Golden seal root 4. Garlic 5. Gingko biloba 6. Green tea 7. St. John’s wort 8. Ginger root 9. Ginseng 10. Astragalus