Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of healthcare known to humankind. And specific uses for specific herbs have been surprisingly consistent through the centuries.

The health promoting properties of certain plants, first touted in folklore, are now supported by scientific evidence. The World Health Organization notes that of 119 plant-derived medicines, about 74 percent, were used in modern medicines in ways that correlated directly with their traditional uses as plant medicines by native cultures.

It is becoming quite obvious that natural plant products and extracts have a significant potential in medical therapies and will give pharmaceutical drugs quite a challenge.

Even some of our most valuable drugs have been isolated from plants, including aspirin (willow), morphine (opium poppies), digitalis (foxglove) and such cancer drugs as vinacristine, vinblastine, and taxol.

There are about 500,000 plants on the earth today. Only about 5,000 of these have been extensively studied for their medicinal applications, according to Dr. Norman Farnsworth, Ph.D., Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

"Considering that 121 prescription drugs come from only 90 species of plants, and that 74 percent of these were discovered following up native folklore claims, a logical person would have to say that there may still be more jackpots out there,'' Dr. Farnsworth says.

In a four part series I shall cover some of the most-used herbs, starting with: Echinacea for Cold and Flu Echinacea is one of the most powerful remedies against all kinds of bacterial and viral infections. This native to North America also called Coneflower has long been used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. It is one of three primary remedies for helping the body rid itself of microbial infections. It is especially useful for infections of the upper respiratory tract such as laryngitis, tonsillitis and for catarrhal conditions of the nose and sinus.

Recent studies in Germany where echinacea has been in constant use since the 1930's have established its usefulness not only for chronic conditions but for more acute arthritic diseases, certain cancers and possibly even helping in the treatment against AIDS.

Recommended doses: Of the tea -- one-half cup; Of the liquid extract -- 10-30 drops; Of the dried powder -- two grams at a time, but for acute conditions, every two hours; for chronic conditions, three times daily.

St. John's Wort for Depression St. John's Wort was propelled to the status of a `superstar herbal antidepressant' when in 1996 a study was published in the British Medical journal. The study showed that St. John's wort was superior to the placebo and as effective as a pharmaceutical antidepressant -- and with significantly fewer side-effects.

Michael T. Murray of Bastyr University and author of Natural Alternatives to Over-the-Counter and Prescription Drugs, says he would much rather see patients using St. John's wort extract than drugs like Prozac, Paxil, Zoloft and others.

Most studies in depression have used St. John's Wort extract standardised to contain 0.3 percent hypericin at a dosage of 300mg three times daily.

Saw Palmetto for Prostate Health An extract of the berries from the saw palmetto -- which grows right here in Bermuda, has emerged as a popular treatment for an enlarged prostate both in Europe and the US. Over 20 double-blind placebo studies have demonstrated that the fat soluble extract of the saw palmetto berries is very effective in relieving all of the major symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) including increased nighttime urinary frequency, the most bothersome complaint. Studies even show saw palmetto to exert superior benefits compared to Proscar, the standard prescription drug used to treat BPH. Numerous studies on saw palmetto extract have shown it to be effective in nearly 90% of patients, usually within four to six weeks. In contrast Poscar is effective in reducing the symptoms in less than 37 percent after taking the drug for one year. Moreover saw palmetto is at least one-fourth the price of Proscar.

Gingko for Brain Function The Gingko Biloba tree is the world's oldest living tree species, some living as long as 1,000 years. Gingko is an excellent example of why protecting plants from extinction can help create new medicine. They first appeared about 200 million years ago and except for a small population in northern China, were almost completely destroyed in the last Ice Age. Gingko is currently licensed in Germany for the treatment of cerebral dysfunction, with the following symptoms: difficulty in memory, dizziness, tinnitus, headaches, and emotional instability coupled with anxiety.

It is also licensed for circulatory disturbances, such as severe pain in the calf muscles resulting from inadequate blood supply. Ginkgo leaf is also used for heart and eye diseases, and accidents involving brain trauma.

At least three volumes of technical papers on Ginkgo have been published. It is also used to treat Alzheimer's disease, inner ear deafness, impotence, depression, allergies and asthma, macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy. The recommended dosage is 40mg three times daily of a standardised extract containing 24 percent ginkgo heterosides.

*** Camilla Macpherson is the co-owner of Nature's Chi Health Store.

HEALTH HTH