Science&Health: Herbs, teas provide useful option
By Diana Whitaker
Nov. 7, 2006 9:00 p.m.
In a pill-popping culture, it seems common to reach for a bottle
of capsules to cure common ailments such as headaches, insomnia,
depression and pain.
But for mild illness, there are alternative treatments, many of
which have been used for centuries before manufactured drugs
existed.
For example, St. John’s Wort, a plant also known as
Klamath Weed or Goat Weed, has been used for centuries to treat
mental disorders and nerve pain.
“It has been found to be effective for mild to moderate
depression,” said Dr. Ka Kit Hui, professor of clinical
medicine at the UCLA Department of Medicine and director at the
UCLA Center for East-West Medicine.
Other alternative medicines include ginger, which is useful for
nausea and vomiting, and ginkgo, which may improve memory and
function of older patients.
Some students say they are open to trying the natural approach
to health, as opposed to conventional pharmaceutical medicine.
“I usually drink echinacea and goldenseal tea and take
Vitamins C and E when I start getting a sore throat,” said
Tyler Lesh, a third-year clinical psychology graduate student.
“I rarely go to the doctor,” he added.
Jeremiah Garcia, a third-year art and lesbian, gay, bisexual and
transgender studies student, said that when he gets sick, he turns
to tea to help recover.
“Chamomile and mint tea leaves are good for digestion, and
if I’m sick I try to drink eight cups of tea because the
antioxidants help my immune system,” he said.
Some evidence indicates that taking garlic can slightly lower
blood cholesterol levels and might slow the development of
atherosclerosis, a condition that could lead to heart disease or
stroke.
But alternative medicine is not solely useful to alleviate
symptoms of minor illnesses. Some cancer patients seek alternative
ways to alleviate symptoms other than modern medicine.
“I think it gives people a sense of self-empowerment when
they can take things into their own hands. … There are a lot of
things, including Chinese medical approaches, that can be used to
treat stress, nausea and pain,” said Dr. Rich Pietras, an
associate professor of medicine at the UCLA Geffen School of
Medicine.
“Some use acupuncture or meditation techniques to reduce
stress and become more relaxed.”
Traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda were developed
thousands of years ago and are still used today.
Ayurveda, which includes diet and herbal remedies, has been
practiced primarily in the Indian subcontinent for 5,000 years.
Ayurveda emphasizes the use of body, mind and spirit in disease
prevention and treatment, according to the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
One of the traditional Ayurveda formulations contains herbs such
as echinacea and turmeric, used to bolster the body’s natural
defenses against allergens and infections.
Brahmi has been used in Ayurveda for centuries as the main
revitalizing herb for nerves and brain cells.
“Brahmi can be a helpful aid for studying,” said
Amit Khatri, a third-year electrical engineering student.
Herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine include ginger,
gingko biloba, green tea and licorice, Hui said.
Some evidence suggests that consumption of green tea improves
mental alertness, most likely because of its caffeine content.
Laboratory studies suggest that green tea may help protect
against or slow the growth of certain cancers, but studies in
people have shown mixed results, according to the center.
But Pietras said alternative medicine is not limited to teas and
other herbal remedies.
“Other Chinese medical approaches treat a number of
symptoms of cancer patients, including stress, nausea and pain.
(Some) may use acupuncture and meditation techniques to reduce
stress and become more relaxed,” Pietras said.
Some experts suggest alternative medicine may offer advantages
that conventional medicine could lack.
“It depends on what condition you are using medication
for,” Hui said. “Medications are, in general, more
potent and could potentially cause more side effects.”
However, herbal supplements may interact with other medications
or treatments and produce unexpected results, he warned.
Some patients who have used St. John’s Wort to fight
depression have found increased amounts of enzymes in the liver,
altering the levels of other drugs, Pietras said.
“Some patients … have found that (oral) contraceptives
no longer work, and (they) could become pregnant,” he
added.
