Herbal remedies

DSHEA Act of 1994

* The 1994 Dietary Supplement Health Education Act ( ___ ) puts vitamins, minerals along with herbs
* Dietary supplements are are not subject to clinical studies foe safety, effectiveness, side effects etc
* Although some herbal remedies show great potential, some may interact with prescription or other drugs
* So be careful: never take any plant compound unless you know its safe
* always talk to your doctor first

St Johns Wort

*  (Hypericum perforatum) is used for treating mild depression (increases serotonin levels) - its effectiveness has been questioned
* It lifts spirit by raising the level of serotonin
* One drawback is that it may induce photosensitivity in some individuals, and may react adversely with other medications

Ginkgo

* leaves have been used for centuries in China to treat asthma and bronchitis - now it is studied as a brain tonic, **may** halt progression of Alzheimer's disease?
* NO conclusive scientific evidence
* If taken with aspirin, it may induce internal bleeding

Saw Palmetto

(Serenoa repens) has cherries with a substance that may help some patients suffering from BPE (benign Prostate Enlargement). Again, results may not be consistent 

Echinacea

is top selling herbal; MAY help stimulate body’s immune system, MAY help prevent cold and flu? Research shows it works for some people, but not others 

Ephedra (ma huang)

* a gymnosperm native to China, used for medicinal purposed (decongestant against asthma. bronchitis)
* Active compound: ephedrine
* A CNS stimulant, bronchial dilator, increases blood pressure an effect similar to adrenaline
* It was used as a dietary supplement found in performance enhancing and weight loss products
* Has been found to have adverse effects:
* hypertension
* palpitations
* irregular heart beats
* dizziness
* headache
* stroke
* seizures
* heart attacks
* FDA has issued warnings against its use: now considered a dangerous drug
* FDA has banned ephedra: April 12, 2004
* products have been linked to 155 deaths and 1300 cases of harmful effects after overdoses (Baltimore Orioles pitchers Steve Bechler)

Clinical trials

* Many studies are inconclusive, or plain wrong. Also important: who paid for the study?
* Some did not include a placebo
* **Placebo pill** : a stimulated treatment to make patient think they are taking a medicine (like a sugar pill, masked as a medicine)
* Labels are often very vague or confusing: “May help in the relief of …” ”energizing” “invigorating”
* Does “all natural” mean safe - **probably not lol**
* “Preliminary clinical trials show” What do they mean by “preliminary”? 5 people?

Double blind study

When 2 groups of patients are administered a treatment (one of them is a control), but neither one knows they are being given the actual treatment (sometimes not even the researchers know) - in order to prevent pre-judgement of participants, that may skew the results

Placebo effect

a beneficial effect in a patient, following a treatment, that comes from the patients expectations of the treatment, rather than the treatment itself