Watching Vitamin Supplement and Herbs

Be careful about substituting a vitamin supplement and herbs for a balanced diet. Some vitamin supplements can be toxic when taken in excess. Although some herbs are wonderful to cook with you dont want to rely on them when you have a condition that merits a visit to the doctor.

Take garlic for example. Garlic is a member of the onion family and no cook should be without it. Some people refer to garlic as the natural antibiotic. These are the same people however, that take a handful of processed garlic pills when they feel a cold or some perceived or real infection coming on instead of seeing their doctor.

Now I dont see my doctor for every cold. But if I think I need an antibiotic Im going for the real McCoy. Besides, garlic has blood thinning capabilities and we get enough of the good stuff by cooking with it. Yet I know people who pop those garlic pills to ward off anything they think they are coming down with without any regard to the possible interaction of these garlic pills with another vitamin supplement and herbs and/or their prescription medicine.

Another thing to consider regarding garlic: Even if you arent taking blood thinning medication, you dont want to have consumed a lot of garlic before you have surgery because you need your blood to clot. That doesnt mean you cant have your favorite spaghetti sauce before having surgery, but it could be harmful to take a lot of garlic supplements before surgery.

If you believe you need a vitamin supplement and herbs daily you should check with your doctor before consuming large amounts of any supplement as some of these can have toxic effects. Manufactures of vitamin supplements and herbs, unlike manufacturers of drugs, do not have to prove that their products are safe before they are put on the market. The FDA regulates these dietary supplements as food and not as drugs and so after a product like this causes a problem or is unsafe then the FDA can take action.

The FDA is watching though. In December 2005, they sent out warning letters to nine companies that were promoting their dietary supplements could prevent, treat or cure bird flu. When the label reads like that, then the FDA has to look at it like a drug and not food. That is why on all or nearly all vitamin supplement and herbs labels youll see the disclaimer that says something like, These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and were not saying they will cure you. Thats a rough paraphrase but you get the idea.

In the end, we are the ones responsible for what we put into our bodies. Check with your doctor before you believe any outrageous vitamin supplement and herbs claims.

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What is herbal medicine?

An approach to healing which uses plant or plant-derived preparations to treat, prevent, or cure various health conditions and ailments. This approach is incorporated into various medical systems. Although herbal medicine does not have a specific point of conception, at present an estimated 80% of the world’s population rely on medicinal plant preparations for their primary healthcare needs, according to the World Health Organization. ...
Herbal medicine involves the use of any or all of the different parts of plants (roots, leaves, stems and seeds) to treat illnesses and maintain health. Medicines are given to improve the body’s natural functions and to restore a natural balance of health. Herbal medicines can be given in many forms, such as liquids, infusions, tablets, creams and ointments.
Herbs are used in both Eastern and Western medicine. The aim is to use all parts of the herb and particular emphasis is laid on the energetic content of the herbs and its ability to stimulate healing. Thus the method of picking the herb and the time of day can affect the potency. The whole herb has a wider healing potential than the single active agent used by the pharmaceutical industry.