Herbal Remedies

Ginkgo Biloba (available from numerous manufacturers and as a combination product), Bioginkgo, Gincosan, Ginexin Remind, Ginkai, Ginkoba, Ginkgo Go!, Ginkgold, Ginkgo Power, Ginkgoba, Ginkgo Leaf, Quanterra Mental Sharpness, Ginko Biloba Premium Extract, Gingko Biloba Extract, Activated Ginkgo, Nuveg Ginkgo Power, Time Release Ginkgo Power, Senior Ginkgo Power, Herbal Sure Maximum Strength Gingko Biloba 

DESCRIPTION 

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the fresh or dried leaves, and the seeds separated from their fleshy outer layer. 

Flower and Fruit: The tree flowers for the first time when it is between 20 and 30 years old. The flowers are dioecious. They are in the axils of the lower leaves of the current year’s short shoots. The male flowering parts are attached to short catkins. The female flowers have longer pedicles and are at the end of a leafless branch. Fertilization occurs months after pollination by spermatozoids, although usually only one ovule is fully formed. The light green or yellowish seeds, incorrectly called fruit, later become fleshy and plumlike. They have a diameter of 2.5 to 3 cm, and each contains a two-edged edible nut. 

Leaves, Stem, and Root: Ginkgo biloba is a 30- to 40-m high dioecious tree with a girth of about 4 m. The trees can live for hundreds of years. The bark is light to dark brown with rough grooves and reticulate fissures. The leaves are fan-shaped with bifurcated ribs. They are fresh green to golden yellow in autumn. The female trees are pointed and pyramid-shaped; the male trees are broad and sparer. 

Characteristics: The seeds smell like butyric, capric, or valeric acid when ripe. 

Habitat: Ginkgo is indigenous to China, Japan and Korea, and is also found in Europe and the U.S. 

Production: The leaves are harvested either mechanically or by hand from plantations or in the wild. The leaves are then dried and pressed into balls. A dry extract from the dried leaf of Ginkgo biloba is manufactured using acetone/water and subsequent purification steps without addition of concentrates or isolated ingredients. 

Other Names: Maidenhair-Tree 

In Chinese medicine, Notoginseng Root is a favorite remedy for both internal and external bleeding. It is taken internally to quell nosebleeds and blood in the stools, urine, or lungs. Applied externally, it’s used to relieve pain and swelling from fractures, sprains, bruises, cuts, and wounds. It’s also occasionally used as a treatment for acute attacks of Crohn’s disease, an inflammatory bowel condition.

   Recently, Notoginseng has also shown promise as a treatment for angina (chest pain due to poor circulation in the heart muscle) and high blood pressure. 

What It Is; Why It Works
By Chinese standards, Notoginseng is a relative newcomer, first appearing in the Compendium of Materia Medica published by Li Shizen in 1578. He pronounced the root “more valuable than gold.” Modern clinical trials conducted in China appear to confirm that Notoginseng does indeed speed the clotting process. It also seems to combat the effects of hardening of the arteries, improving circulation to the heart and relieving high blood pressure.

   Native to China, Notoginseng is grown commercially in the southern and central regions of the country. The portion of the plant used in remedies is the root, dug up before the plant flowers or after the fruit has ripened. 

Avoid If…
See “Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding.” 

Special Cautions
At customary dosage levels, Notoginseng Root poses no known risks. 

Possible Drug Interactions
No drug interactions are known. 

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Notoginseng Root has caused miscarriage. Avoid it during pregnancy. 

How To Prepare
Notoginseng Root is sold in bulk as loose, dried roots and in tablet form. It can be made into a liniment for swelling and pain, and can be used in compresses to help heal wounds and bruises. 

Pleurisy Root

In Native American folk medicine, Pleurisy Root is used to treat chest and upper respiratory disorders such as cough, colds, bronchitis, pneumonia, and, of course, pleurisy. It has also been taken to relieve rheumatism, diarrhea, digestive problems, fever, and uterine disorders. External application is believed to help remove warts. Although Pleurisy Root was listed in the United States Pharmacopoeia until the late 19th century, its effectiveness for these conditions has never been scientifically confirmed. 

What is Pleurisy Root ; Why Pleurisy Root Works
Pleurisy Root is a perennial plant native to America and Canada that produces orange or yellow flowers. Its name is derived from its use by American Indian medical practitioners for the treatment of pleurisy. The herb is said to be an effective treatment for a number of respiratory disorders due to its ability to reduce inflammation, relieve spasms in the airways, promote perspiration, and help clear the air passages of secretions. In the treatment of uterine disorders, it is believed to have effects similar to the hormone estrogen. 

Avoid Pleurisy Root  If…
Do not take Pleurisy Root during pregnancy. Also avoid it if you have a history of heart disease or a hormone-driven cancer. 

Special Cautions
Large amounts of Pleurisy Root taken internally can be toxic and even fatal. 

Possible Drug Interactions
Do not take Pleurisy Root in combination with drugs for heartbeat irregularities or with hormonal medications. 

Special Information If You Are Pregnant or Breastfeeding
Do not take Pleurisy Root if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. 

How To Prepare Pleurisy Root  
Take only commercially prepared standardized preparations of Pleurisy Root under the strict supervision and monitoring of a qualified medical practitioner. Pleurisy Root is prepared in liquid form, or in capsules combined with other herbs. Read the label carefully for other ingredients. 

Typical Pleurisy Root Dosage
Recommended dosages vary widely. The liquid extract or tincture may be taken in doses of 1 to 4 milliliters (20 to 80 drops) in water, 3 times daily by mouth. Otherwise, use according to package instructions. Never take more than the recommended amount of Pleurisy Root. 

Overdosage
Large doses of Pleurisy Root can be highly toxic. Symptoms of overdose include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and irregular heartbeat. Death can result from respiratory paralysis or heart failure. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical treatment immediately.

It wasn’t long ago that most people had never heard of St. John’s wort or echinacea. But times have changed. Now, these and many other herbal products and supplements are widely available on drugstore and supermarket shelves. Easy access to herbal products and other supplements has given people choices they never had before.

But choice is a double-edged sword. This access has raised important questions about safety, purity, and efficacy. How do you know whether your ginkgo pills actually contain the amount stated on the label? Can you be sure that the product is not contaminated with other ingredients? And how do you know if a supplement will work? Will ginkgo really improve your memory, or black cohosh stop your hot flashes? Do you have to try it to find out? Or is there another way to know before you spend your money and swallow the pills?

This Special Health Report answers questions such as these, based on the best available scientific evidence. While many magazines, Web sites, and product pamphlets contain information about herbs and other supplements, most do not rely on carefully weighed scientific data to back up their claims. That’s where an organization of medical experts called Natural Standard Research Collaboration comes in. This report is a collaboration between Harvard Medical School and Natural Standard, an international research group based in Cambridge, Mass., that works to provide up-to-date and scientifically accurate information about complementary and alternative therapies.

According to experts at Natural Standard, there is good news for people who want to know more about herbs and other supplements. Scientific study of the safety and effectiveness of these compounds is increasing. But most herbs and supplements have not yet been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs or supplements, drugs, or foods. Over the coming years, researchers hope to gain a deeper understanding of these substances and to determine how best to use them in health care.

The bad news is that with increasing scientific scrutiny, problems with herbs and other supplements are coming to light. The products do not always contain what their labels claim. They may not be effective in treating the conditions they are advertised or used for. And they may have dangerous side effects or interactions with other drugs. Remember, the word “natural” does not automatically mean “safe.” Even a product that has a positive action in your body may also cause a negative reaction or side effect.

Sales of herbal supplements surged in the 1990s but have tapered off. Still, their use remains widespread, and the importance of accurate information continues to be paramount. If you are considering buying an herbal remedy or supplement, consult the following pages to learn as much as you can before you buy.

What is Aloe vera? Aloe is an herbal medicine used in skin ointments and creams to treat wounds, burns, or other skin problems. It is also used to treat genital herpes which is an infection spread by having sex. Aloe vera may be used to treat ulcers, nausea (upset stomach), or constipation (hard bowel movements).

Other names for aloe include: Aloe vera.

Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you need more information about this medicine or if any information in this leaflet concerns you.

Before Using: Tell your doctor if you …

• are taking medicine or are allergic to any medicine (prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) or dietary supplement)
• are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine
• are breast feeding
• have any other health problems, such as high blood pressure or heart or blood vessel disease

Dosage: Talk with your caregiver about how much aloe you should take. The amount depends on the strength of the medicine and the reason you are taking aloe. If you are using this medicine without instructions from your caregiver, follow the directions on the label. Do not take more aloe or take it more often than what is written on the directions.

To store this medicine: Keep all medicine locked up and away from children. Store medicine away from heat and direct light. Do not store your medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down and not work the way it should work. Throw away medicine that is out of date or that you do not need. Never share your medicine with others.

Drug and Food Interactions: Do not take aloe without talking to your doctor first if you are taking:

• Laxatives (examples: senna, cascara, docusate (Colace(R)), psyllium (Metamucil(R) Fiberall(R)), bisacodyl (Dulcolax(R)). Aloe taken by mouth should not be taken with other laxatives unless it is OK with your doctor.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin(R))
• Medicines used to lower blood sugar (examples: glyburide (DiaBet(R), Glynase PresTab(R), Micronase(R)), metformin (Glucophage(R), pioglitazone (Actos(R))
• Medicines used as a general anesthetic for surgery (example: sevoflurane (Ultane(R))

Warnings:

• Before taking aloe, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast feeding
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have bowel problems of any kind (recent abdominal or bowel surgery or bowel blockage)
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have nausea or vomiting
• Do not take aloe by mouth if you have abdominal (belly) pain that your a doctor has not treated
• Children under age 12 years should not take aloe

Side Effects of Aloe vera: Stop taking Aloe vera right away and talk to your doctor if you have any of the following side effects. Your medicine may be causing these symptoms, which may mean that you are allergic to it.

• Breathing problems or tightness in your throat or chest
• Chest pain
• Skin hives, rash, or itchy or swollen skin

Other Possible Side Effects of Aloe vera: You may have the following side effects, but this medicine may also cause other side effects. Tell your doctor if you have side effects that you think are caused by this medicine.

• Fever, chills, or low back pain
• Headache, tiredness, painful urination
• Itching, redness, pain, or a rash when aloe gel is used on the skin
• Large amount of watery or bloody diarrhea (loose stools)
• Muscle weakness
• Nausea, vomiting, belly pain, or diarrhea if you take aloe by mouth
• Weight loss