Interesting Stories : Herbal Remedy

I have a headache ...
2000 BC - Eat this root
1000 AD - That root is infected. say this prayer.
1850 AD - That prayer is superstition. drink this potion.
1940 AD - That potion is snake oil. swallow this pill.
1985 AD - That pill is ineffective. take this antibiotic.
2000 AD - That antibiotic is artificial. eat this root.

Herbal remedy is generating a lot of interest these days.Partly because researcher are scientifically proving its usefulness.There are many a herb that are waiting to be picked up by researchers for study.


Many people have such faith in them that they wont wait for a study.They argue even if herbs don't benefit us, whats the harm in trying them?

A few day back there was a report that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration had
warned certain company of harmful effects of a South American herb called Stevia.They  termed it “an unsafe food additive.” This herb is being eyed by several company as a low calorie natural sweetener.

There has not been many warnings.Another warning which was related to a herbal baby colic remedy was traced to a parasite,cryptosporidium, in the container rather than the herb itself.

Studies have shown the usefulness of herbs in specific conditions.
"A team at the University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute found extracts of triphala slowed the growth of human pancreatic tumours grafted onto mice."Triphala is an indian herbal preparation used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine. Its anti-cancer properties had already been demonstrated in cell culture.


In another study the curry-leaf tree (Murraya koenigii) from India, was found to have potential effect on diabetes.It inhibited pancreatic alpha amylase,the enzyme that breaks starch to glucose in the intestine.Now they are trying to find out the factor in the curry-leaf tree extract that inhibited the enzyme.

Another study found, "an extract of the Commelina diffusa, or climbing dayflower, had both antibacterial and antifungal activity..."

A report from india says,"an Ayurvedic researcher, who has developed special herbal rice that can reduce sugar levels in the body. "DIARICE", a herbal variety of rice..."

The herbal medicines devil's claw, white willow bark, and cayenne might reduce back pain.Researchers who reported this ended up saying more studies are required to grapple with the risks and benefits of these treatments.

I ,too, would put myself on the safer side.If you use herbs you do so at your own
discretion.

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