Transcript Herb Sense - Food and Health Communications

Herb Sense
What Is an Herb?
Herb (urb, hurb) n. a plant with
leaves, flowers, berries or seeds
that are used for food, flavoring
or in medicine
Oxford American Dictionary
Q: Are Herbs Drugs?
A: Yes. “Herbs used for medicinal purposes
are drugs.” Varro Tyler, PhD, Herbs of Choice
Herbs have: side effects
Herbs may: interact with medications
Q: Are Herbs Considered
Drugs?
A: No. The Dietary Supplement and
Health Education Act of 1994 defines
herbs legally as supplements
•They are not tested or regulated like
prescription or over-the-counter drugs
Q: How much money did
Americans spend on herbal
products in 1998?
A: $3.8 billion dollars
Do these products
really work?
Let’s look at what we know
about 10 popular herbs 
Echinacea
• Claim:
prevents flu or
colds
• Current research:
may shorten a cold
but does not
prevent it
Prevent Colds & Flu
• Get a flu shot
• Strengthen immune system by:
– Eating well
– Sleeping enough
– Exercising regularly
• Wash your hands frequently,
especially during flu season
Evening Primrose
• Claim:
– helps treat ADD
(attention deficit
disorder)
• Current research:
– doesn’t help ADD
Photo Copyright by Scott Russell, PhD, University of Oklahoma
– good source of Omega3 fatty acids but is
expensive
Good Sources of Omega-3s
• Flaxseed
• Fatty fish e.g. salmon, tuna, mackerel
• Sesame seed oil, walnut oil, canola oil,
soy products
Feverfew
• Claim:
– treat migraines
• Current research:
– may reduce pain of
migraine but won’t
eliminate it
Photo Copyright Charles S. Lewallen
Help for Migraines
• Consult your physician for serious or
chronic headache pain
• There are very effective prescription drugs
to help prevent migraines
• Decrease intake of caffeine slowly
• Avoid getting over-fatigued
• Investigate stress reduction techniques
such as walking, meditation and yoga
Gingko
• Claims:
– improves circulation
– makes you smarter
• Current research:
– may slow dementia
– may help vertigo
(dizziness)
– will not make you
smarter
For Improved Circulation
• See a physician for serious or
chronic circulatory problems
• Eat a low-fat, high-fiber plant based
diet to keep blood flowing
• Exercise regularly
• Control your weight
Ginseng
• Claim:
– magic bullet to
improve health
• Current research:
– some positive
health effects
– many products
contain little or
none
Photo Copyright Michael Hunter
Improve Your Health
• Eat a plant-based diet with plenty
of fruit, vegetables, whole grains
and legumes
• Exercise regularly
• Get plenty of sleep
• Healthy lifestyle - avoid tobacco &
alcohol, manage stress, etc.
Grapeseed Oil
• Claims:
– potent antioxidant
– oil lowers LDL cholesterol
• Current research:
– antioxidants present
– all oils lower LDL
cholesterol when they
replace saturated fat
Antioxidant Smarts
• To consume plenty of antioxidants and
more fiber, eat a plant-based diet with
plenty of
• fruits
• vegetables
• whole grains
• legumes
• Lower your cholesterol so you don’t have
to worry about oxidative LDL damage
Kava
• Claims:
– relieves stress
– muscle relaxer
• Current research:
– mildly narcotic
– do not mix with
alcohol, operating
machinery or
driving
Coping with Stress
• Consult a physician or mental health
professional if you feel you can’t cope
• Avoid caffeine, especially in the evening
• Stress reducing techniques including:
walking, yoga, meditation, prayer,
recreation, etc.
• High carbohydrate foods help you relax
Milk Thistle
• Claims:
– potent antioxidant
– detoxifies liver
• Current research:
– potent antioxidant
– protects liver from
free radical damage
Take Care of Your Liver
• Liver damage is not a self-help situation; it
needs to be monitored by a physician
• Get Hepatitis A and B vaccinations to
avoid liver damage
• Excess alcohol damages the liver
• Be aware of drugs that cause liver damage
Saw Palmetto
• Claims:
– prevents swelling
of prostate
– aphrodisiac
• Current research:
– only relieves
symptoms of
enlarged prostate
Prostate Health Tips
• Men with enlarged prostate glands should
seek the advice of a physician
• Eating a more plant based diet lowers the risk
of prostate cancer
• Men who eat more soy are less likely to die of
prostate cancer
• Tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit
contain lycopene which may protect against
prostate cancer
St. John’s Wort
• Claims:
– used to treat
depression
– mood mender
• Current research:
– effective in treatment
of depression
– will not keep anyone
in a good mood
Dealing with Depression
• Individuals suffering from depression
should see their physician
• Common sense lifestyle habits have an
effect on mood:
– exercise
– avoidance of caffeine, alcohol and drugs
– relaxation and stress management/reduction
How do Herbs Fit in the Total
Picture of Health?
• Use culinary herbs to make healthy
meals more flavorful
– liven up grain dishes
– jazz up fruit and vegetables
– spice up beans and legumes
How do Herbs Fit in the Total
Picture of Health?
• Exercise:
– grow an herb garden
– visit a nearby
botanical garden
How do Herbs Fit in the Total
Picture of Health?
• Relaxation and stress relief
– herb tea instead of alcohol or coffee
Before you pop that pill:
• Can money be better spent?
• Did you ask your physician or dietitian
to see if it’s right for you?
• Is there a common sense way to
achieve the same goal?
• How do you really know what is in it?
Natural does not always equal safe!
Don’t Self-diagnose
• Serious medical conditions require
professional medical care
• Tell your physician about any herbs
you are taking
• Ask your physician or dietitian
before taking herbs
• Some may cause harm or interfere
with medication you are taking