Herbal Nutrition Supplement
The research on great things in life always takes a humongous time to get researched upon. It comes as no surprise then that herbal supplements have taken toll of the global market and has created a storm amongst people who strongly believe in naturopathy and treating themselves through herbal inventions. "Herbal nutrition supplements" is all about this and more!
In fact a large segment of the population uses herbal medicines and nutritional supplements. It so happens that many times without bearing in mind the physician's knowledge, these supplements can have drastic side effects; of course this depends from person to person, but it can be broadly suggested that "Herbal nutrition supplements" can be best advised under medical prescription. Moreover, these products can cause ocular side effects, as each body type is different and doctors need to recognize these adverse events.
About Herbal Supplements
Generally, herbal "nutritional supplements" and medicines are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as prescription as the other over-the-counter medications are. The World Health Organization (WHO) has extensively done its research and has published guidelines on the use of herbal medicines in the recent past. These include recommendations on cultivating, collecting, classification, quality control, storage, etc. Although there are no official standards governing the production of herbal medicines in the world, it is also true that the potency and purity of these products may vary widely.
Perhaps some of the best and widely sold herbal medicines include ginkgo biloba, used to treat tinnitus, asthma and tonsillitis among other things. Ginkgo biloba slows down the platelet aggregation, and should be used with caution especially for patients taking aspirin as the effects could be amplified Another popular medication is the Siberian root ginseng, which is known to stabilize your metabolism and give you a refreshing sleep. Chamomile, a popular herb, especially made popular through its therapeutic effects in aromatherapy and in and chamomile teas, is used to treat eye disease as well as insomnia, indigestion, migraine headaches, bronchitis, fevers, colds, inflammation and burns. Some people topically use chamomile supplements for treating irritated eyes and desiring a complete relaxation use chamomile tea for best effects. However, according to reports there could be cases of severe conjunctivitis related to chamomile's topical use.
A few other examples of herb supplements
Licorice, another popular herb is used to treat upper respiratory tract infections, ulcers, appendicitis and constipation. There have been researches galore on this herb, which can supposedly cause transient vision loss. This condition is similar to what one might experience with an ocular migraine without headache. Of course these side effects can be observed if licorice is administered in large doses.
Herbal medicines and nutritional supplements are today being used without the strong evidence of either their efficacy or safety. The ocular side effects from these products often go undiagnosed and unreported. Doctors need to be more alert in such cases and there are needs to be more promotions in carrying out research amongst these supplements.
Another popular herbal supplement is Alfalfa. In fact Alfalfa is so high in vitamins and minerals that it is actually easier to list what it doesn't have. There are just three vitamins that it currently lacks; vitamin B1, P and T. Alfalfa is noteworthy for an exceptional amount of trace minerals, for having all eight essential amino acids, all eight essential digestive enzymes, and for being so high in vitamins A, K, and D, and calcium, iron and potassium. In short it's got all that one needs for absolute nutrition, all in just one herb. Moreover, it also increases energy and endurance and helps digestion and the assimilation of calcium, protein and other nutrients. It is a body cleanser, natural deodorizer, builder, a digestive aid, and infection fighter.
Chickweed is yet another herb supplement that promotes regularity. It helps in toning and strengthening the digestive system and it is also known to soothe ulcers and inflamed bowels; dissolve plaque and excess fat from blood vessels. It has been written up as an effective anti-cancer agent. It is also a blood purifier and assists the skin in looking more clean and beautiful.
Kelp, popularly known as sea kelp is a rich source of vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12 (and every other B-complex), C, G, K, and S. Containing at least 28 minerals, including every trace mineral, large amounts of iodine, and is able to feed the glandular system and help digest food by assisting the thyroid and other glands that affect digestion by stimulating the digestive secretions of the stomach and pancreas. It is often used in shampoos too for added shine to the hair. Kelp feeds the pituitary, thus affecting the entire body. It stimulates metabolism and helps burn up excess calories. It is essentially important in removing plaque from the arteries, gall bladder and kidneys. Excellent in improving the complexion, evading wrinkles, it also helps in the overall improvement in the texture of skin. A great herb for asthma diabetes, eczema and goitre, Kelp cleanses and strengthens the entire system.
Canthaxanthine, a carotenoid used in cosmetics, as a food colouring and also to produce an artificial suntan when taken orally, can cause deposits of the drug in the retina, especially after prolonged usage. The deposits appear to be absorbed over time, but it take years for the complete residue to disappear. Visual changes from this nutritional supplement are related to retinal abnormalities detected with visual field testing and retina tests.
Niacin, also another important and popular herb can cause some of the most severe ocular reactions of all the products reviewed so far. Its cholesterol-lowering effects have proved successful in treating cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease and it has been used for the treatment of schizophrenia, diabetes, arthritis, hypertension, sexual dysfunction and migraine headaches. A comprehensive review of ocular side effects from niacin indicates a possible association with decreased vision, cystoid macular edema (CME), dry eyes, discoloration of the eyelids, eyelid edema and loss of eyebrows and eyelashes, among others. The ocular side effects appear to be dose related, there are some instances however, and that would require the discontinuation of administering niacin.
Many herbal medicines interact with prescription medicines, and if the treating physician doesn't know what a patient is taking, it can be extremely detrimental. For example, a patient taking ginkgo biloba plus aspirin or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen, may thin the blood too much, leading to ocular haemorrhage or even intracranial haemorrhage.