How Safe Are Unregulated Herbal Supplements?

March 21st, 2011 by admin No comments »

Would you like to lose weight quickly and easily? Would you like to renew your energy and your vitality, sleep better, grow thicker hair, feel more calm and relaxed, and have a sharper memory and mind? No matter what your physical, mental or emotional concern, chances are there is a herbal supplement that promises to address such a problem.

Herbal supplements are not technically considered food so they are not always regulated by the Food and Drug Administration or FDA. You may have even noticed the statement on such packages that their claims have not been evaluated by the FDA.

This may bring up concerns regarding their effectiveness and their overall safety. If the FDA is not testing such products, who is to say they will do what they promise or that they’re even safe to take?

This is a very difficult answer, as some products seem to work quite well for some people and others have been pulled from store shelves because of actual physical damage they have caused. It’s impossible to absolutely say that they are all healthy or that they are all dangerous and should be avoided.

Another concern in this area is that herbal supplements, not being regulated by the FDA, may vary from brand to brand as to their potency and actual ingredients. One brand may have more of certain leaves and stems of a particular plant in their supplements whereas another may have more ground seeds and other “fillers” which save them money but which compromise their effectiveness.

Because an absolute answer is impossible, it’s always recommended that someone do as much research as possible regarding any product and brand name that they’re considering for themselves. » Read more: How Safe Are Unregulated Herbal Supplements?

Kava Kava Side Effects

March 17th, 2011 by admin No comments »

Botanically known as Piper methysticum, kava is a plant native to the South Pacific. Belonging to the pepper family Piperaceae, the plant has been an integral part of religious, political and cultural life throughout the Pacific region. The plant is often related to black pepper and possess heart shaped leaves and flowers. Its brown color roots, called Waka, has high medicinal value and is used to prepare a popular narcotic drink called kava kava. The drink is prepared by drying the roots under the sun, grounding them into powder and then mixing it with water.

Kava kava is a popular social drink, similar to alcohol, in South Pacific and so apart from its medicinal uses, the drink also plays a significant role in different rituals and ceremonies. This was just a brief account on kava herb, now before moving on to kava kava side effects, let us first know how it benefits us.

Kava Kava: Health Benefits

Kava kava has been well known for its mild tranquilizing and pain killing properties and so is commonly used as a folk medicine for numerous health problems. It is used to cure anxiety symptoms, stress, and restlessness, and even sleep disorders (insomnia). The drink also helps to treat mental illnesses like Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), epilepsy, psychosis, depression, migraines and other headaches, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), and other respiratory diseases like common cold flu, influenza, etc.

Moreover, some studies show that kava kava benefits by reducing the possibilities of muscle pain, tuberculosis, cancer, etc. Also some people uses it to cure the pain and swelling due to urinary tract infections, venereal disease, menstrual discomfort, and even to stimulate sexual desire. Kava is applied on the skin to cure skin disorders like eczema, leprosy and it also promotes fast wound healing. Know more about herbal medicine.

Kava Kava: Side Effects

Though kava kava is highly beneficial to our body, its potential side effects and dangers cannot be ignored. Hence, check out the below given probable side effects of kava kava.

  • Studies show that the drink is known to cause various allergic reactions like skin itchiness, hives, scaly skin rash called kava dermopathy. Besides these, its long term heavy usage can also lead to swelling in the mouth or throat, difficulty breathing, wheezing, etc. » Read more: Kava Kava Side Effects