American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [75]
Folk Medicine
Folk medicine is the treatment of illness according to the traditional practices of the people of a given culture. Virtually every culture has its own traditional folk medicine practices. Folk remedies typically use herbs and other natural substances. Treatment may be given in the person’s home or at the home of a local healer. Many folk remedies have been used for thousands of years and may have health benefits that are poorly understood by medical science. Others may be useless or harmful.
While folk medicine may be appropriate in its traditional setting, it can be dangerous when taken out of its cultural context and practiced by someone outside of the culture. Always talk to your doctor before trying any folk medicine practice.
Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements
Plants have been used for centuries to prevent and cure diseases and disorders and to relieve pain. Many drugs in use today are derived from plants, but the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also has approved more than 200 plant products for sale as dietary supplements. In the United States, dietary supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. This means that the FDA does not require dietary supplements to undergo the same rigorous approval process required of prescription and over-the-counter medications before they appear on the market. In addition, manufacturers are not required to provide the FDA with evidence that their dietary supplements are safe or effective before marketing them. However, the FDA can remove a supplement from the market if it determines that the product is unsafe.
As with pharmaceutical drugs, the effects of herbs can vary greatly from one person to another, influenced by factors such as weight, sex, age, and general physical condition. In addition, the effects of herbs can be more subdued than those of pharmaceutical drugs, and herbs tend to have less noticeable side effects. But unlike most standard medications, herbal remedies can contain potentially harmful substances because of the lack of regulations for production. A manufacturer’s growing conditions, storage, handling, and preparation also can affect potency.
Always let your doctor know about any herbal remedies or dietary supplements you are taking. Don’t self-medicate with herbs or supplements without talking to your doctor first and getting a diagnosis. Some of these products can have harmful interactions with prescription and over-the-counter medications. For example, ginkgo biloba can cause excessive bleeding when taken with anticlotting medications such as aspirin or warfarin.
Some doctors recommend that people stop using supplements for at least 3 weeks before having elective surgery. Although adverse effects are rare, taking some herbs or dietary supplements before undergoing surgery can be harmful. Some supplements can speed or slow heart rate, intensify the effects of anesthesia, inhibit blood clotting, or cause the body to reject a transplanted organ.
The herbs and supplements discussed here are among the most common in the United States. Research has supported the use of some of these substances. For others, however, there is no scientific proof of effectiveness.
Aloe Vera
The gel of the aloe vera plant is used to treat burns and heal skin infections. Companies that make skin-care and cosmetic products incorporate aloe into many of their preparations, including hand lotions and shaving creams. The dried outer leaf of the aloe plant is ingested as a powder or dissolved in liquids to aid digestion and relieve constipation. Aloe may cause intestinal cramping, so you should not consume