| Increasing attention is being drawn to
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| | made with plant derivatives, such as
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| herbal supplements (the use of herbs in
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| | digitalis (made from foxgloves) and taxol
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| various forms to alleviate ailments).
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| | (from the Pacific Yew).
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| More people are turning to herbal
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| | 2) According to a study by the California
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| remedies for relief, claiming they are
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| | Department of Health Services, 32 percent
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| tired of paying high prices for
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| | of 260 Asian patent medicines sold in
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| traditional medications and worried about
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| | California were contaminated with
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| possible chemical side effects. However,
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| | pharmaceutical drugs, steroids or heavy
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| recent reports describe the harm some
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| | metals. Herbal medicines imported from
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| herbal supplements can cause. How do we
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| | India, Mexico and China also were found
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| know which are the best supplements and,
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| | to have less-than-natural substances.
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| more importantly, if these remedies are
| |
| | 3) Prescription weight-loss pills
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| safe?
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| | containing a Chinese herb,Aristolochia
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| Opinions on the safety of herbal products
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| | fangchi, have been found to cause cancer
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| vary greatly. The herb industry is partly
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| | or severe kidney damage, according to the
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| regulated in the U.S. by the Food and
| |
| | New England Journal of Medicine. The FDA
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| Drug Administration. However, some
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| | announced they will stop the import of
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| advocates of this "alternative" medicine
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| | this herb.
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| industry discounts many of the FDA's
| |
| | 4) Take a look at some of the reputed
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| opinions, claiming that they have
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| | benefits and side effects of some popular
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| business ties to the pharmaceutical
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| | herbs.
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| industry, causing a conflict in interest.
| |
| | USA TODAY July 19, 2000 story on
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| However, there seems to be a consensus
| |
| | "functional foods" indicates that foods
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| that the U.S. should move towards a model
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| | and beverages with added herbs and
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| where herbal supplements are subject to
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| | supplements are being looked at more
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| regulatory controls and scientific
| |
| | carefully by the FDA. The Center for
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| testing similar to that of
| |
| | Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) has
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| pharmaceuticals, in the interest of
| |
| | identified 75 foods with herbs added
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| consumer safety.
| |
| | including varieties of some popular
|
| Tug of war: Herbal medicine vs.
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| | beverages. The FDA has the authority to
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| Pharmaceuticals
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| | take products off the shelves if they
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| Who believes that herbal supplements are
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| | feel products are unsafe. No clinical
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| beneficial? According to the World Health
| |
| | trials are required for "functional
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| Organization, most of the world
| |
| | foods," so be aware of the foods and
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| population (approximately 80 percent)
| |
| | beverages you consume.
|
| have used herbs to try to heal an
| |
| | Still not clear on whether to use herbs?
|
| ailment. Herbal "medicine" is a
| |
| | Do not rely on an advertisement for an
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| multi-billion dollar industry, grossing
| |
| | herbal product or the recommendation of a
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| over $2 billion in 1996 and estimated at
| |
| | friend who may have a totally different
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| almost $6.5 billion in 2000. This figure
| |
| | medical history and react in a different
|
| seems less impressive when you compare
| |
| | way. It has been found that some herbs
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| the profits of the top 10 drug companies,
| |
| | cause premature contractions, so pregnant
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| each of which enjoy average profits of
| |
| | women should avoid herbal supplements as
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| $2.5 billion.
| |
| | should the very young or elderly, who are
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| Some people complain that taxpayers
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| | prone to adverse affects of many herbs.
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| subsidize research for pharmaceuticals,
| |
| | If you are thinking of using herbs as a
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| and then end up paying huge medical bills
| |
| | preventive measure or to relieve
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| if they do not have insurance to cover
| |
| | symptoms, make sure you:
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| the cost of the drugs. That is pretty
| |
| | 1) Research the herbs and products you
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| profitable business, according to herb
| |
| | are interested in, looking at varying
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| supporters.
| |
| | opinions to give you a rounded
|
| The top selling drugs are for heartburn,
| |
| | perspective. Remember that just because
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| ulcers, high blood pressure, high
| |
| | it is natural, does not mean it is safe.
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| cholesterol, depression and allergies.
| |
| | Some herbs (e.g. comfrey) have toxic
|
| Supporters of "natural" remedies say that
| |
| | effects. Be careful!
|
| these common illnesses could be
| |
| | 2) Talk to your physician or contact us
|
| alleviated by a change in diet and
| |
| | to determine if there may be side effects
|
| exercise, as well as reducing stress.
| |
| | or if it may counteract other medications
|
| However, it is often easier to pop a pill
| |
| | you are taking. Forty percent of people
|
| than it is to change a lifestyle.
| |
| | taking herbal supplements do not tell
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| Most of us recognize the need to improve
| |
| | their doctors and dentists. Do not make
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| our nutrition and want to eat things that
| |
| | this mistake! If you take herbs that act
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| are healthy for us, perhaps including
| |
| | as blood thinners and you need a tooth
|
| herbal supplements. You may have resisted
| |
| | extracted or other surgery, you may bleed
|
| taking prescription drugs, and wondered
| |
| | excessively.
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| if there is a more "natural" way to solve
| |
| | 3) If you buy a herbal product, follow
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| the medical problem.
| |
| | the directions carefully.
|
| Plants have been used for medicinal
| |
| | 4) It is not uncommon for people to have
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| purposes since the Stone Age, so itis not
| |
| | allergic reactions to herbs soon after
|
| surprising that a natural solution is
| |
| | taking them. If you have any problems
|
| appealing. However, consider the
| |
| | such as nausea, rashes, cramps, stop
|
| following facts:
| |
| | taking them. Call your physician if you
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| 1) More than 50 percent of the drugs made
| |
| | have any concerns.
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| in pharmaceutical companies are actually
| |
| |
|
