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Top 12 botanicals for health benefits
10/11/2013
The following 12 botanicals have been cited by NutraIngredients.com as ‘top’ for health benefits:
- Echinacea
- Valerian
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Ginseng
- Saw Palmetto
- Curcumin
- Cranberry
- Aloe Vera
- Flax
- St John’s Wort
- Garlic
- Black Cohosh
The question is do you agree or are there others which should be ‘top of the bill’? And can any of those listed have any negative impacts or interactions?
Well, yes, two jump out straight away: St John’s Wort and Black Cohosh.
St John’s Wort is an OTC product used for mild depression. It’s known to interact with Oral Contraceptives, Warfarin, Ciclosporin and Simvastatin to name just a few and must not be taken concurrently with any of these products. Interestingly, the Patient.co.uk website has a section devoted to St John’s Wort which is aimed at clinicians. This shows how serious these interactions are considered to be.
Black Cohosh is commonly used for the treatment of symptom relief during and after the menopause (e.g. flushes, sweats, aching joints and headaches). Over the past few years it has attracted quite a bit of attention because it has been linked to cases of liver failure. Australia is to introduce warning labels about liver reactions and black cohosh products in Germany already carry general warnings. The UK’s MHRA issued a Press Release (Liver failure case highlights need to use Black Cohosh remedies carefully) on 29 October 2012 in which they state “It is important that people with a history of liver problems do not use Black Cohosh herbal products”.
In fact,
since 2006, all manufacturers of Black Cohosh products must ensure that their labelling includes an appropriate warning about possible liver problems. Unfortunately, there are still some unlicensed products which may not have this warning included which puts the consumer at risk. It is important that you read the label thoroughly and check that it is licensed for use. In Europe, a logo is added to the labelling which indicates that the product is licensed for sale via the Traditional Herbal Medicine Registration Scheme.
Just because something is natural doesn’t mean that it is safe!
Author: Greer Deal, Director of Global Regulatory Services
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