Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Popular Herbal Remedies
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Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Popular Herbal Remedies This job aid provides descriptions of 20 popular herbal therapies used for common health conditions. Use this as a reference when discussing herbal remedies with your client. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)1 This Chinese herb can help prevent the cold and seasonal flu. In China, it is used with other herbs to help cancer patients who are going through chemotherapy or radiation. Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)2 This cousin of the blueberry is said to improve night vision, but there is little evidence to support this use. However, it has shown promise for treating an eye problem caused by diabetes. Black cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa)3 Several studies suggest that this herb reduces hot flashes in menopausal women by regulating body temperature. Due to rare reports of liver damage in black cohosh users, avoid the herb if you have liver problems. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum)4 In early research with people with type 2 diabetes, cinnamon lowered blood sugar and cholesterol levels. 1 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon)5 Cranberry is good for preventing and treating urinary tract infections. Take cranberry extract pills or drink unsweetened cranberry juice. You can add sparkling water to the juice to make it taste better. Avoid cranberry drinks that have been sweetened, such as with sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and other species)6 Many (but not all) studies have found that this herb can reduce the duration and severity of colds. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra)7 Elderberry extract in syrup form has been shown to cut the duration of seasonal flu by four days. Evening primrose oil (Oenothera biennis)8 This oil may promote healthy skin, hair and nails when taken in capsule or liquid form. The herb may also ease pain and premenstrual breast tenderness. Garlic (Allium sativum)9 Garlic can help prevent and treat colds. It also promotes heart health by thinning the blood and helping to relax blood vessels. You may get more health benefits by skipping garlic supplements and eating the herb raw or lightly cooked. 2 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Ginger (Zingiber officinale)10 Ginger can ease motion sickness, morning sickness and nausea. It can also reduce pain and thin the blood. Ginger supplements are available in capsule or tincture form, or you can consume the fresh root, candied ginger or ginger tea. Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba)11 Several studies show that this herb may slow the changes during early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. But research is mixed on whether ginkgo can improve memory in healthy older adults. So far, it has not been shown to reduce Alzheimer’s risk. Ginseng12 Asian or Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) may give energy to people who are weak from chronic illness or old age. In Chinese medicine, it is used as a sexual energizer in men. American ginseng (Panax quinqefolius) may help your body resist stress. Green tea (Camellia sinensis)13 Numerous studies suggest that drinking a few cups of green tea per day can help prevent cancer and heart disease. However, green tea extracts may not offer the same health benefits. Some case reports have linked use of such supplements to liver damage. Milk thistle (Silybum marianum)14 This herb may benefit people with liver disease (such as cirrhosis and hepatitis B or C). It may also help those undergoing chemotherapy or taking drugs that may harm the liver. Milk thistle contains compounds that protect the liver from toxins and may even help repair liver cells. 3 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Red yeast rice (Monascus purpureus)15 Extracts of red yeast rice are good at lowering cholesterol levels. Red yeast rice may have fewer side effects than cholesterol- lowering drugs. But like those prescription drugs, red yeast rice may affect liver function. The FDA has banned red yeast rice supplements in the U.S. over concerns for contamination. Rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea)16 Also called Arctic root, this herb can prevent some symptoms of stress. Some evidence suggests it can reduce fatigue and enhance mental function among people in stressful circumstances. In addition, rhodiola has shown promise for treating depression and anxiety. Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)17 Saw palmetto is used to treat mild to moderate symptoms of prostate enlargement. Studies have shown it to be as effective as the drug Proscar, but with fewer side effects. St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)18 St. John’s wort is used to treat mild depression. Several studies have found that it works as well as SSRI antidepressant drugs while causing fewer side effects. Look for products with both hypericin and hyperforin, thought to be the herb’s active ingredients. Because the herb can interact with many medications, consult your doctor before using. Turmeric (Curcuma longa)19 A relative of ginger, turmeric is an antioxidant and can help relieve pain. The spice may also help treat arthritis and ulcerative colitis. Turmeric is available as a supplement on its own or with other anti- inflammatory herbs 4 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid Valerian (Valeriana officinalis)20 Valerian can be helpful for an occasional night of insomnia, as well as for chronic sleep problems. Valerian may also have antianxiety properties. References 1. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Astragalus. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/astragalus 2. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Bilberry. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/bilberry 3. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Black Cohosh. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/blackcohosh/ataglance.htm 4. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Cinnamon. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cinnamon 5. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Cranberry. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/cranberry 6. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Echinacea. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/echinacea/ataglance.htm 7. Krawitz, C., Mraheil, M. A., Stein, M., Imirzalioglu, C., Domann, E., Pleschka, S., & Hain, T. (2011). Inhibitory activity of a standardized elderberry liquid extract against clinically-relevant human respiratory bacterial pathogens and influenza A and B viruses. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 11(1), 16. 8. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Evening primrose oil. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/eveningprimrose 9. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Garlic. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/garlic/ataglance.htm 10. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Ginger. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginger 11. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Gingko. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/ginkgo/ataglance.htm 12. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Ginseng. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/asianginseng 13. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Green tea. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/greentea 5 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine Wheel of Health – Professional Care Job Aid 14. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Milk thistle. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/milkthistle/ataglance.htm 15. Heber, D., Yip, I., Ashley, J. M., Elashoff, D. A., Elashoff, R. M., & Go, V. L. W. (1999). Cholesterol-lowering effects of a proprietary Chinese red-yeast-rice dietary supplement. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 69(2), 231-236. 16. Brown, R. P., Gerbarg, P. L., & Ramazanov, Z. (2002). Rhodiola rosea: A phytomedicinal overview. HerbalGram, 56, 40-52. 17. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Saw palmetto. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/palmetto/ataglance.htm 18. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: St. John’s Wort. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/stjohnswort/ataglance.htm 19. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Tumeric. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/turmeric/ataglance.htm 20. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. (2014). Herbs at a glance: Valerian. Retrieved from http://nccam.nih.gov/health/valerian 6 Confidential and Proprietary - For Internal Use Only - © 2014 Duke Integrative Medicine .