I'm trying to google around for information about herbs to see what they do or what they contain, but I don't really know the names of many herbs. I need you guys to tell me the names of herbs that are supposed to do stuff.
The ones I've looked up so far are:
-ginseng
-ginko biloba
-st john's wort
-echinacea
Some of the results are interesting, mostly the ones stating negative effects. You can never tell that a drug does something by its positive effects since the placebo effect is usually positive. When a drug causes intense anxiety and chest pain, you
know that drug is doing something.
Ginseng - a stimulant?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginseng
Uses:
Both American ginseng and Asian ginseng roots are taken orally as adaptogens, aphrodisiacs, nourishing stimulants,[citation needed] and in the treatment of type II diabetes, as well as for sexual dysfunction in men.
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Side Effects:
According to a Sports Nutrition FAQ published by UMass Amherst, one of P. ginseng's most common side effects is the inability to sleep.[23] However, other sources state ginseng causes no sleep difficulties.[24] Other side effects can include nausea, diarrhea, headaches, nose bleeds,[25] high blood pressure, low blood pressure, and breast pain.[26] Ginseng may also lead to induction of mania in depressed patients who mix it with antidepressants.[27]
That actually sounds fairly consistent. Aphrodisiacs are almost always stimulants, and most of those side effects are common to all stimulants. Nausea, shitting, headaches, nose bleed, high blood pressure, and chest pain.
Ginko Biloba - improves blood flow, prevents blood clotting
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ginkgo_biloba#Medicinal_uses
Uses:
Out of the many conflicting research results, Ginkgo extract may have three effects on the human body: improvement in blood flow (including microcirculation in small capillaries) to most tissues and organs; protection against oxidative cell damage from free radicals; and blockage of many of the effects of platelet-activating factor (platelet aggregation, blood clotting)[47] that have been related to the development of a number of cardiovascular, renal, respiratory and central nervous system disorders. Ginkgolides, especially ginkgolide B, are potent antagonists against platelet-activating factor; and thus may be useful in protection and prevention of thrombus, endotoxic shock, and from myocardial ischeamia.[48]Ginkgo can be used for intermittent claudication.
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Side Effects:
Ginkgo may have undesirable effects, especially for individuals with blood circulation disorders and those taking anticoagulants such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or warfarin, although recent studies have found that ginkgo has little or no effect on the anticoagulant properties or pharmacodynamics of warfarin in healthy subjects.[56] Ginkgo inhibits monoamine oxidase,[57] and therefore should not be used by people who are taking certain types of antidepressants (monoamine oxidase inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors[58][59]) or by pregnant women, without first consulting a doctor.
Ginkgo side effects and cautions include: possible increased risk of bleeding, gastrointestinal discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, dizziness, heart palpitations, and restlessness.[59][60] If any side effects are experienced, consumption should be stopped immediately.
This too is surprisingly consistent. It does stuff similar to aspirin, so you shouldn't mix it with aspirin. Ginko is an MAOI and could potentially cause mania or serotonin syndrome in people on antidepressants? Increased bleeding, just like aspirin. Gut pain, nausea, vomit, shit, headache, dizzy, bad heart, deathiness? Just like aspirin? Interesting.
St John's Wort - serotonin related antidepressant?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Johns_Wort#Medical_uses
Uses:
An analysis of twenty-nine clinical trials with more than five thousand patients was conducted by Cochrane Collaboration. The review concluded that extracts of St. John's wort were superior to placebo in patients with major depression. St John's wort had similar efficacy to standard antidepressants. The rate of side-effects was half that of newer SSRI antidepressants and one-fifth that of older tricyclic antidepressants.[6]
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Side Effects:
St John's wort is generally well tolerated, with an adverse effect profile similar to placebo.[23] The most common adverse effects reported are gastrointestinal symptoms, dizziness, confusion, tiredness and sedation.[24][25]
That does sound vaguely similar to most SSRI drugs. Dizzy, confused, tired, sedated, etc.
Echinacea
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echinacea#Medicinal_effects
Uses
Echinacea is popularly believed to be an immunostimulator, stimulating the body's non-specific immune system and warding off infections and also being utilized as a laxative
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Although Native American tribes didn't use echinacea to prevent the common cold, some Plains tribes did use echinacea to treat some of the symptoms that could be caused by the common cold: The Kiowa used it for coughs and sore throats, the Cheyenne for sore throats, the Pawnee for headaches, and many tribes including the Lakotah used it as an analgesic.[20]
Native Americans learned of E. angustifolia by observing elk seeking out the plants and consuming them when sick or wounded, and identified those plants as elk root.[21]
Well that's interesting. Natives used it to aleviate cold symptoms, like an old school version of neocitran.
What other herbs have you heard about?
