Standardization of Herbs

[Guest guest]

Dear Lynnette,

Some days ago, you asked me this question.

"

I don't know what you mean when you say " that the manufactured

chemical that is similar to one specific phytochemical in the plant

and therefore called the plant name may have detrimental side

effects. " Can you explain this more simply to me? "

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.......

My answer:-What I was referring to was the practice of

Standardization, where chemically only the so-called " active "

ingredients of a herb are used. The extract is then called the full

herb name although it is not actually the complete herb that is being

used.

Here is a comment that may explain what I was trying to say.........

" Steven Dentali, PhD, a pharmacognosist and currently Vice-president

of Scientific and Technical Affairs at the American Herbal Products

Association, " There is no biological reason why a standardized extract

would make a better herb. If it was necessary, we wouldnt be using

these herbs already. It is foolish to think that one group of

compounds will entirely account for an herbs activity. Even inactive

compounds play a role in an herb by affecting the distribution and

absorption of the active components. When you place an herb in a

different medium, you change its effects. Standardization is

pharmacologic, not therapeutic.. " End of

quote...........................................................................\

...

In other words, my point was that the WHOLE herb should be used in

making teas, tinctures, poultices etc., and that standardized extracts

are actually " fooling " the public into thinking that they are getting

the whole herb......which, to many herbalists ,means that the public

is not getting the hebs full value.......

sorry about the delay in answering your question...Herbally Yours Penny

 

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Penny Khaled

http://tinyurl.com/bfnyd

http://tinyurl/rulew

http://www.organicnutrition.co.uk