Do herbal medicines work?

Question

I mean when from legit sources...
Everyone tells me not to try certain things because it is herbal and doesn't work. Has anyone ever tried alternative medicine or hebal medicines and notice them working?

Answer 1

Some do, some don't. Just like those that doctors prescribe. Read as much as you can on stuff before you take it. There's a wonderful resource on just that, here: http://www.iherb.com/Health.aspx

Answer 2

It's impossible to make a blanket statement about herbal medicines. Some of them have been shown to work in some studies, some haven't, and some show mixed results. Some people swear by them.

The best source of information on whether herbal medicines "work" is Natural Standard. The only problem is that they charge for access to most of the site. Some consumer health, medical, and academic libraries have subscriptions:
http://www.naturalstandard.com/

The National Library of Medicine uses parts of the Natural Standard database for its Medline Plus site:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginformation.html

There are a few downsides to herbal medicine:
If you're using a raw herb, such as a tea, you don't know how much of the active ingredient you're getting.
Some of them are expensive.
Some of them can be contaminated with lead or other poisons. I'd be concerned about anything coming from China or India.
Some people might try to treat themselves when they really need to get medical care.
Some herbs can make certain conditions worse or interact with medications.

On the other hand:
Herbs are usually safe.
They usually don't have side effects.
Some are inexpensive.
Many have a long history of use.

Answer 3

Herbs are just crude, unrefined drugs. They do not go through the same stringent testing for safety and efficacy that refined drugs go through (some of which are actually taken from plants). So there isn't really a blanket claim that covers all herbal drugs. You have to look at each herb and its claims. Drug companies are more than happy to look into these things because a refined version can lead to interesting new medicines. Universities also do tests on claims made of herbal remedies.

The problem with asking people, "Did this work for you" is that you can't tell a drug's efficacy by asking this type of question. To really determine a drug's efficacy you have to have a control group and each person in the test cannot know whether or not they are taking the drug or a placebo (inert substance). The people who administer the drug to the test subjects cannot know whether or not they are giving the drug or placebo to a test subject. This allows researchers to use statistics to determine whether or not a drug's effect is real or not. You cannot control for placebo effect by asking individuals about their experience. This is called 'anecdotal evidence.' It is a big no-no in research, but the supplement industry acts as if testimonies are as good as double-blind, placebo controlled trials.

PubMed.gov is a good way to find out what herbs might work and what ones won't. However you have to steer clear of articles published in the Alternative Medicine journals, because they aren't terribly reputable. Journal Nature is a good one.

If you are interested in further reading on herbal remedies, you can find a great article (which has some links to further reading) at: http://www.quackwatch.org/01QuackeryRelatedTopics/herbs.html

Answer 4

They certainly do but often they work much slower than medical prescriptions.

The problem with medical prescriptions is that often the side effects like coughing, headaches and much worse are sometimes or even often much worse than the problem that you are taking them for.

The big plus with alternative medicine (vitamins, minerals, herbal medicines, etc) is that in general or in most cases there are no side effects. There are, of course, some isolated exceptions. In general, if any of them are incompatible with presribed medication there will be a warning on the container.

Answer 5

Why don't you think so? for example:
I have a daughter of five years she has bronchial asthma, she has a persistent cough with phlegm and besides she has a problem with her hearth that is why I leaver her to use the inhalator that produces her tachycardia. I tried for every where to save her o I decided to use natural products ASTEXPECT and those have excellent results since she started the treatment with asteracea’s flour she seems to be better and it is notable now she can sleep better and quiet her behavior is better like a normal girl she runs with her other friends and she feels better.

Answer 6

There is a massive body of rapidly growing scientific research on dozens of 'herbal medicines'. Yes, they work.

Answer 7

Sure.
The East Asian people use the herbal medicine.
However, lots of peple do not know the basical priciple of
treatment.

Please visit the website ( www.harabiclinic.com ) and confirm
the cases.
For example, atopy , cetral retinitis, etc.

Answer 8

yeah I use them often, but I know when I have to go and get antibiotics too. It really depends on the person. some people who consume lots of synthetic ingredients, soda, fast food, antidepressants birth control. things like that make it harder for natural remedies to work. also echinacea doesn't work for me...sometimes you actually have to re search or ask the people working as to get the best remedy. Netti pots work for my sinus infections, I put golden seal (anti bacteria) into it. or i will use it in my tea when I have a sore throat. also i use tea tree oil for minor cuts. that also works. i usually only have to go to the Dr for strep throat and I have only gotten it once. so it really depends on the person and the ailment.

Answer 9

Yes, it really works. Just try it. Anyway, no harm in trying of that, coz its herbal medicine, made from it, not made from chemicals combined.

Answer 10

Yes, I have tried it and it worked.