What does science say about medicinal herbs?

Medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years and remain popular today. Their origins come from all over the world, from the indigenous inhabitants of South America to traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic traditions in India. But: do they actually work? In this article, read what modern science has to say about five popular medicinal herbs.

Valerian is officially called Valeriana officinalis and is an herb commonly used to stimulate sleep. Traditionally, it has been used as a treatment for insomnia and restlessness. Multiple scientific studies suggest that valerian can positively affect sleep quality. For example, a 2020 meta-analysis in the Journal of Evidence-Based Integrative Medicine concluded that valerian can shorten sleep time and improve subjective sleep quality, without the side effects often seen with pharmaceutical sleep aids. That valerian has this effect is probably because the herb affects the GABA system in the brain. This has a calming effect and also counteracts anxiety and stress.

Withania somnifera, such as Ashwagandha is officially called, comes from Ayurvedic medicine. This herb is described as an adaptogen, or substance that helps you deal with stress. This is also evidenced in scientific studies, according to a study from the Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine. During this experiment, participants who took the Ashwagandha extract had significantly lower levels of cortisol, which is the stress hormone. They also experienced fewer symptoms of stress than the placebo group. Ashwagandha may also possibly help combat fatigue and improve your muscle strength, memory and cognitive functions. More research is needed to know for sure.

Ginkgo Biloba isone of the oldest tree species in the world. It is commonly used today as a memory enhancer, especially in older people or those with incipient dementia. Following this, in 2014, a study conducted. This showed that Ginkgo can improve important cognitive performance and daily functioning in patients with dementia. Slight improvements in attention and concentration were also measured in healthy people, especially in the short term. Still, results are mixed, with some studies finding no clear effect. It is suggested that Ginkgo improves blood flow to the brain. It is also said to have antioxidant properties, which may help protect brain cells from aging.

Science confirms that some medicinal herbs, such as Valerian, Ashwagandha and Ginkgo Biloba, can actually have effects beyond the placebo effect. For other herbs, such as Mulungu and Guarana, the evidence is still developing but promising. However, it is important to remain critical. After all, most studies are small-scale and often not long-term. Furthermore, herbs are not a substitute for medical treatment or miracle drugs.

Mulungu is not really known in Europe, but it has long been used in South America. Erythrina mulungu is an Amazonian herb that could help with sleep problems and anxiety. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been a whole lot of scientific research done on Mulungu, but according to this study the herb can inhibit anxiety. Mulungu is also said to have antibacterial effects and may stimulate GABA receptors. Hopefully, science will do more research on this medicinal herb in the future so that we will know more about how Mulungu works.

We’ll stay in the Amazon for a while because we also have Guarana, officially Paullinia cupana, also comes from this area. It is famous for its stimulant effect, which comes mainly from caffeine. The seeds of Guarana may even contain more caffeine than coffee beans. Scientific research has been done on this plant for a long time, and it has been highlighted by this study suggested that Guarana may have many health benefits. Below are some examples of this:

• Cancer Fight
• Stimulating effect
• Cholesterol lowering
• Anti-obesity effects
• Anti-inflammatory

Unfortunately, we must say that there have not been extremely many good clinical studies done on Guarana. As a result, scientists cannot say for sure whether the above benefits are actually offered by this Amazonian plant.

Although several scientific studies are cited, it is important to fully understand the quality and context of this research. For example, sample sizes vary widely: some studies on herbs such as Valerian or Ashwagandha were conducted with fewer than 100 participants, which limits reliability. Also, the duration of the studies is often short, sometimes only a few weeks, leaving long-term effects unknown. In addition, the methodology is not always rigorous. Not all studies are double-blind or placebo-controlled, and for herbs such as Guarana, combinations of ingredients are often tested, making it difficult to attribute effects to a single plant. For some herbs, such as Mulungu, hardly any human clinical trials are available. Summary: Although the results are promising, further and more thorough research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a physician, pharmacist or qualified health care provider before beginning the use of herbs or supplements, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications or have a medical condition. Although scientific studies have been cited, the effects of medicinal herbs vary individually and further research is often needed. The author and publisher accept no liability for any damages or adverse effects resulting from the use of the information mentioned in this article.