Welcome to the Herbal Medicine Section.

The nutritional and herbal medicine information is collected from clinical trials and research, as well as traditional uses. It will be regularly updated via seminars. For more information go to Colleges, the National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine and Seminars pages.

This section contains information on Nutrition and Herbal Medicine that reflects current trends and information being presented to the general public. This section is currently being updated - Stay tuned.

For information on nutrition, visit the Nutrition Page.

Herbal medicine is a system of medicine that exclusively uses plants. Herbal medicine is the oldest form of medicine and is still used as the primary form of medicine by over 75% of the world's population.

Herbal Medicines

New Books

New books by Brad McEwen are soon to be published in December 2007. One of these books is "Clinical Applications of Amino Acids". For more information on this book go to the Products page.

Herbal Medicines

Panax Ginseng

Herbal remedies known as “ginseng” are based on the roots of several distinct species of plants, mainly Korean or Asian ginseng (Panax ginseng), Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus), and American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius). All of these species are in the Araliaceae plant family, but each has its own specific effects on the body.

Ginseng products are popularly referred to as “tonics,” a term that has been replaced by “adaptogens” in much of the alternative medicine literature. The term “adaptogen” connotes an agent that purportedly “increases resistance to physical, chemical, and biological stress and builds up general vitality, including the physical and mental capacity for work.”

One of the most commonly used and researched of the ginsengs is Panax ginseng, also called Asian or Korean ginseng. The main active components of Panax ginseng are ginsenosides, which have been shown to have a variety of beneficial effects, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer effects.
Results of clinical research studies demonstrate that Panax ginseng may improve psychologic function, immune function, and conditions associated with diabetes.
Overall, Panax ginseng appears to be well tolerated, although caution is advised about concomitant use with some pharmaceuticals, such as warfarin, oral hypoglycemic agents, insulin, and phenelzine.

(Kiefer D, Pantuso T 2003, Panax ginseng, American Family Physician, Oct 15; 68(8): 1539-42.)

Horse Chestnut

Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency

Leg pain was assessed in six placebo-controlled trials that reported a significant reduction of leg pain in the horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) seed extract groups compared with the placebo groups. Meta-analysis of four trials (n = 239) reporting adequate data suggested a significant reduction in favour of horse chestnut seed extract compared with placebo. One trial indicated that horse chestnut seed extract may be as effective as treatment with compression stockings.

The authors stated that the evidence presented implies that horse chestnut seed extract is an efficacious and safe short-term treatment for chronic venous insufficiency.

(Pittler MH, Ernst E 2002, Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (1):CD003230.)

Conservative therapy of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) consists largely of compression treatment.
Overall, there appeared to be an improvement in chronic venous insufficiency related signs and symptoms with horse chestnut seed extract compared with placebo.

Again the authors stated that the evidence presented implies that horse chestnut seed extract is an efficacious and safe short-term treatment for chronic venous insufficiency.

(Pittler MH, Ernst E 2004, Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, (2): CD003230.)

Another review in 2006 by the same authors found similar results and conclusions.

(Pittler MH, Ernst E 2006, Horse chestnut seed extract for chronic venous insufficiency, Cochrane Database Syst Rev, Jan 25;(1):CD003230.)

Efficacy, routine effectiveness, and safety of horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and large observational studies

Safe and effective oral therapies for chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) would provide an important alternative to mechanical compression treatment.

Overall, the randomised controlled trials indicated that horse chestnut seed extract improved symptoms in patients with CVI. Compared to placebo, horse chestnut seed extract reduced leg volume by 46.4ml (95% CI, 11.3-81.4 ml) and increased the likelihood of improvement in leg pain 4.1-fold (95% CI, 0.98-16.8). Similarly, improvement probabilities were increased 1.5-fold (95% CI, 1.2-1.9) for oedema and 1.7-fold (95% CI, 0.01-3.0) for itching. There was insufficient evidence to demonstrate horse chestnut seed extract’s effect on leg fatigue/heaviness or calf cramps. Observational studies showed significant effectiveness regarding pain, oedema, and leg fatigue/heaviness.
No severe adverse events were reported, and horse chestnut seed extract did not significantly increase mild adverse events.

Based on meta-analyses of randomised controlled trials and observational studies, horse chestnut seed extract appears to be an effective and safe treatment for chronic venous insufficiency. Further randomised controlled trials and carefully conducted large-scale observational studies are required to evaluate the long-term effectiveness and safety of horse chestnut seed extract in routine settings.

(Siebert U, Brach M, Sroczynski G, Berla K 2002, Efficacy, routine effectiveness, and safety of horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment of chronic venous insufficiency. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials and large observational studies, Int Angiol, Dec; 21(4): 305-15.)

New innovations in scar management

Centella asiatica has been documented to aid wound healing in a large number of scientific reports. The most beneficial effect appears to be the stimulation of maturation of the scar by the production of type I collagen and the resulting decrease in the inflammatory reaction and myofibroblast production.

(Widgerow AD, Chait LA, Stals R, Stals PJ 2000, New innovations in scar management, Aesthetic Plast Surg, May-Jun; 24(3): 227-34).

This information is presented for your personal educational purposes only. It does not replace or substitute medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat, and should not be used so. Always consult a health care professional. Use only as directed. If symptoms do persist, or if you are unsure, consult your Health Care Professional. Please read labels carefully. Do not stop taking your medications. Speak to your doctor.