No matter what magazine you read or television news program you watch, it seems herbs and alternative nutrition are the topic of conversation. As the fastest-growing segment of the dietary supplement industry, herbs are big business for health food stores, pharmacies, and supermarket chains. In fact, sales of herbs in the United States are expected to reach in excess of $2 billion in the year 2000!

With all of this information on herbs floating around, how do you know what you should believe and what is simply not true? The answer to that question is to do your homework. Don't believe everything your read in magazines or hear about on television or from a friend. Make sure the information you obtain is from a reputable source, such as a Registered Dietitian or a Physician. Don't believe someone when they tell you herbs are a "cure all" with none of the side effects of conventional medicine. Remember, any substance, whether it is derived from natural or man-made sources, may produce adverse reactions in some people. Use caution when trying new herbs and make sure you share the information with your physician or other health care provider.

Since March is National Nutrition Month, this is an appropriate time to kick-off a new segment of our website called "Complementary Nutrition". Each month we will feature a different herb, including some of the most popular ones like Gingko Biloba, St. John's Wort, and Echinacea. We will provide facts such as the common and botanical name of the herb, a brief history, a description of its uses, and possible side-effects and other cautions and contraindications for use. This information is not meant as a recommendation for use, and in no way should take the place of speaking with your own health care professional about herb use.

To start things off this month, we'll try to clear up some of the confusion about the different forms in which herbs are available and the various preparation methods that can be utilized. We've all heard of capsules and tablets, but what exactly is a "tincture," a "decoction," or an "extract?" Just read on….

Decoction:	This method of preparation is typically used for roots and barks. Start by bringing a quart of water to a boil, add the appropriate amount of herb, then simmer for 30-60 minutes, or until ½ to 2/3 of the liquid is gone. Strain out the herb and drink about half a cup of the liquid two to three times daily.
Essential Oil:	Also called volatile oils, these are the oils that plants produce to protect themselves from insects or other invaders, or to attract pollinators. The oils also contain the chemicals responsible for the plant's flavor, fragrance, and often its medicinal value. Essential oils are produced by steam distillation. They are usually highly concentrated and evaporate readily. They should be used in minute amounts and with appropriate cautions. They can be highly irritating if ingested or if they contact the skin or mucous membranes
Extract:	This is a complicated herb preparation method that can have a dozen or more steps, but is essentially made by treating an herb with a solvent such as water, alcohol, or hexane. This method results in a very concentrated source of herb, and is available in both liquid and dry forms.
Tea:	The simplest way to prepare herbs. A single dose consists of a quantity of a given herb steeped in a cup of water. Simply bring water to a boil, pour it over the herb in a cup, steep for at least fifteen minutes, and then drink the liquid.
Tincture:	This form of herb preparation is made by soaking an herb in a solution of ethyl alcohol or by percolating alcohol through it. Tincture labels will usually show a ratio of herb to alcohol, such as 10:1. This means that there are 10 parts of herb to one part of alcohol. A 10:1 tincture is 10 times as strong as a 1:1 tincture.

References:
Blumenthal, M., Klein, S. (1996). "German Commission E Therapeutic Monographs on medicinal Herbs for Human Use." American Botanical Council, Texas.

Duke, J. (1986). "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs." CRC Press, Florida.

Foster, S. (1996). "Herbs for Your Health: A Handy Guide for Knowing and Using 50 Common Herbs." Interweave Press, Colorado.

Tyler, V.E. (1993). "The Honest Herbal," 3rd edition. Binghamton, New York.

Looking for our Cultural Food Pyramids and Recipes from previous months? See our Cultural Food Pyramid and Recipe archives in our General Nutrition Information Section.