Food and Nutrient
Neither Food nor Drugs
Neither Food nor Drugs
Medicinal plants are neither food nor medicines; many countries lack of specific regulations governing these products.
When consumers turn to herbal products, they must not take for granted that all of them are safe just because they are natural. These preparations contain active ingredients whose effects are similar to those of some drugs and medications, so caution is to consume them. From time to time, you hear about serious side effects of some natural preparations. For example, in United Kingdom, the medicines control agency has recently expressed doubts on safety “kava kava”, after the discovery of thirty cases of liver disorders related to use of this plant.
As with other forms of self-medication, with herbal remedies, there is a danger of a serious underlying problem goes unnoticed. For example, depression can be caused by several serious, such as heart disease and thyroid conditions. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Drug, Ginkgo, Herb, Herbalism, Kava, Plant, St John's wort, Valerian | 
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Medicinal Plants: Ancient Wisdom in the World of Today
The resurgence in the West in the interest of the public and scientists by traditional natural medicine; does that research in this area has increased significantly in recent years. However, he wondered whether the medicinal plants are truly safe and effective. Food Today collects and exposes the scientific views on the most popular natural remedies.
Plants contain active elements that protect them insects, molds, and other parasites, as well as the ultraviolet rays of the Sun. Many of these components – either individually or in various combinations – have stimulating, soothing or therapeutic effects in man.
For thousands of years used natural remedies made from the experiments of Pitágoras, Galen and Hippocrates, and the observations of doctors and herbalists collected over the centuries. In developing countries, many people meet their health needs with medicinal plants. In Europe and North America, has been reborn interest in natural products, stimulated by a greater understanding of the action of plants and the development of standards relating to the safety, quality and reliability of these preparations. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Food and Nutrient | Tags: Galen, Hippocrates, John, medicine, Phytotherapy, St John's wort, Valerian, World Health Organization | No Comments »