European herbal.

The medicine of medieval Europe was significantly advanced by herbal skills brought back to Europe by the Crusaders who learnt their medicine from their Arab adversaries who had themselves synthesised the knowledge of ancient Greek and Persian medicine.

For many centuries plant remedies were the main medicines used to treat disease throughout Europe and many famous herbals were published in English in the 16th and 17th centuries. Some, like those of Culpepper and Gerard, are still well known today. However, with the dawn of the scientific age came the slow decline of plant-based medicine accelerated by the widespread introduction in the eighteenth century of minerals and metal-based remedies into medicine such as arsenic, antimony, lead, mercury, copper, tin and gold. John Waller commented on this trend in his British Domestic Herbal published in 1822.

"Advantages have accrued to medicine from chemical preparations. It is nevertheless a melancholy truth that the health of thousands and the lives of not a few are yearly sacrificed to the rage for preparations of mercury, arsenic and almost every deleterious mineral under heaven. So far has this rage for poisonous drugs gained ground that scarcely any article from the plant kingdom is thought worthy to enter into the prescription of a modern physician that is not recognised for a dangerous and active poison; hence the daily use of aconite, hemlock, henbane etc."

With the discovery of antibiotics, corticosteroids and other major modern drugs, the vast majority of herbal remedies used by doctors for many centuries became relegated to mere footnotes in the official pharmacopoeias. They remained however the remedies of choice of UK herbalists and the practitioners of other herbal traditions that have recently taken root in Britain all of whom have continued these forms of traditional medicine into modern times.

Tips for Taking Dietary Supplements.

Be honest – when was the last time you ate your suggested five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables per day? Despite your best efforts to eat a balanced diet, you may be falling short of the recommended daily amount of certain nutrients.

Many people turn to dietary supplements to get their recommended intake of those missing nutrients. Supplements can be used to fill in nutritional gaps in your diet and may be especially beneficial for certain groups of people (including pregnant women, menopausal women, vegans, vegetarians and people with food allergies) who may need higher levels of certain nutrients or whose diets may restrict the intake of certain nutrients.

Here are some general tips for adults who are considering taking a dietary supplement. Remember, even though these products are available without a prescription, you may want to talk to your doctor before you begin taking any type of supplement. Supplements may not be necessary for everyone. Your doctor can help you determine if a dietary supplement is necessary.

Tip: Watch Your Dosage

Be sure to follow the dosage recommendations printed on the label, or suggested by your doctor, when taking supplements. Remember, supplements provide additional nutrients to those you’re already getting from your meals throughout the day. And there’s no real health advantage to getting more of a particular vitamin or mineral than you need; in fact, getting too much of certain vitamins or minerals can cause uncomfortable side effects, like vomiting or diarrhea, and more serious health problems, like liver damage

Be particularly careful when it comes to the following supplements:

Iron: Iron is an essential mineral for the human body whose main function iron is to carry oxygen to tissues. Iron is also important for maintaining muscle and brain function, as well the immune system. However, if you take in more iron than you need, this metal can build up to toxic levels in the heart and liver. Iron overload can cause symptoms from fatigue and joint pain to sexual impotence and depression. Extremely excessive doses can damage your organs or lead to coma and death. Public health officials recommend that adult men and postmenopausal women – groups that rarely experience iron deficiency – consult a doctor before using iron supplements, as it is rare for people in these categories to be iron deficient. The upper level intake is 40-45 mg, depending on age.

Vitamins A, D and E: These are “fat-soluble” vitamins, which means your body will store surplus in your liver and fat tissue. While many vitamins are “water-soluble” and can pass through your body with relatively mild side effects, fat-soluble vitamins can build up to toxic levels over time.

Best Time to Take Supplements.

Should I take all of my supplements at once first thing in the morning, or is it better to take them throughout the day? Does it matter whether or not you have eaten before taking supplements?

I think in most cases its fine to split up your daily supplements, and it might even be a good idea, especially if you have a half-dozen or more pills in your regime. I generally advise taking them with a meal containing fat for best absorption and least stomach irritation. This is particularly important for the fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E and K). Many vitamins and mineral supplements can cause nausea, heartburn and other gastric disturbances, especially when taken on an empty stomach.

There are no rules about the best time of day to take them. My advice is to do so when they most agree with you. Many people find that it is easier to remember to take pills of any kind as part of a morning routine, so taking them with breakfast is a popular option. However, taking too many supplements on an empty stomach or with a light breakfast is a recipe for indigestion. If you experience that, try taking them with lunch or dinner.

Here is my advice for taking specific antioxidant vitamins and minerals:

Vitamin C: 200 to 500 mg (divided into two doses) per day. Vitamin C is water-soluble and any amount not used by the body quickly passes out of it. Consider higher dosages if you are under extra stress, living in smoke-filled or polluted environments, or not getting at least five servings of fruits and vegetables as part of your daily diet.

Vitamin E: 400 IUs of mixed natural tocopherols (or at least 80 mg of mixed tocopherols and tocotrienol) a day. Since vitamin E is fat soluble, it must be taken with food containing fat to be absorbed. I take vitamin E at lunch or dinner.

Selenium: 200 micrograms a day. Selenium is a trace mineral with antioxidant and anticancer properties. Selenium and vitamin E facilitate each other’s absorption, so take them together. Doses of selenium above 400 micrograms a day may not be healthy.

Mixed carotenes: 15,000 IUs a day. I recommend a natural form, which is easily found in health food stores. Read the label to make sure it gives you lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes that helps prevent prostate cancer, and lutein, which can protect against cataracts and macular degeneration. I take mine at breakfast.

To lessen or prevent any side effects, follow these rules:

Take your supplements during or after a meal, unless directed otherwise, and drink plenty of fluids as well.

Take as indicated. Your supplements may be recommended or packaged for morning, noon or evening dosages, based on your individual health needs. For maximum benefit, take them at the time of day indicated on the package.

Some supplements may interact with prescription medications. Read labels carefully and speak with a pharmacist if you have any concerns.

Cr. Dr.Andrew Weil, M.D.