HW490: Bachelor’s Capstone in Health and Wellness Vitamins, Herbs, and Nutritional Supplements Presentation

What is an herb? a plant or a part of a plant that is used as medicine or to give flavor to food ("Definition Of HERB") a seed-producing annual, biennial, or perennial that does not develop persistent woody tissue but dies down at the end of a growing season Examples of herbs include Thyme, Lavender, Parsley, Basil, Rosemary, Bay laurel, Coriander, Chives, Dill, and Mint. An herb is different from a spice, as the herb is the leafy green part of the plant, which can be used either fresh or dried. A spice, on the other hand, is a product from another part of the plant, such as seeds, berries, bark, roots and fruits. It is also usually used dried and often powdered. ("Health Benefits Of Herbs | Organic Facts")

What are herbs used for? Healing wounds faster Makeup for nutritional supplements Strengthen immune system Lower blood sugar and cholesterol Anti-inflammatory properties Prevention of cancers Prevention of alzheimer's disease “Herbs eliminate the nutritional deficiencies in your body and thus restore the correct function of the body. Herbs rectify problems rather than suppress them. It is also said that herbs nourish every part of the body with their vitamin and mineral content. In short, our body needs certain essential dietary nutrients to meet the everyday demands of life because herbs provide us with most of the necessary components for a healthy life. Herbs are normally used as flavoring additives to culinary dishes. Along with that, herbs are now an integral part of various medicinal practices in most countries.” ("Health Benefits Of Herbs | Organic Facts")

Herb Precautions Should only be used when appropriate Ex: stimulants in the morning, not before bed Use within recommended dosage Consult a doctor before use Especially if you are taking any medications Avoid certain herbs during pregnancy Herbs that stimulate the uterus Milk thistle, rosemary, wild yam, etc.. Also avoid during breastfeeding “Most people have a fairly high tolerance for herbs such as chamomile, and can quite happily drink 2-3 cups of the infusion per day over extended periods. However other herbs have a stronger effect on the system and must be used well within the recommended levels. If you are in any doubt seek professional advice.”("Herbal Remedies Contra-Indications & Precautions")

Educational Resources There are many resources available that surround herbs that I recommend. My personal favorites include- Mosby's handbook of herbs & natural supplements Book: a-z format, reliable information, Drug/Herb Interaction appendix lists and more. Ted Talks Website: online lecture or webinars, offers MANY lectures based on specific keywords such as herbs, herbal medicine, etc. which provides educational information about the specific topics. Herb.org Website: Herb Research Foundation, where you can shop and learn!

Additional Information You can find out more information about this topic in various places, they include but are not limited to: Local Herbalist: A simple google search provided me with a list of local herbalist OR you can visit http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com/fundamentals http://www.florajournal.com/ is a peer-reviewed journal that “publishs articles related to the current trends of research. This Journal provides the platform with the aim of motivating the students and personnel in the Botany and Phytochemistry Research and Development.” ("International Journal Of Herbal Medicine Journal | Herbal Medicine Journal") https://nccih.nih.gov/ is an easlity accessable website that is user friendly when you know what youre looking for. Since the discussion is herbs you can simply type “herbs” in the search

Resources "Definition Of HERB". Merriam-webster.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 May 2016. "Example Of Herbs". Knowledge. N.p., 2013. Web. 15 May 2016. "Health Benefits Of Herbs | Organic Facts". Organic Facts. N.p., 2011. Web. 17 May 2016. "Herbal Remedies Contra-Indications & Precautions". Nyrnaturalnews.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 May 2016. "International Journal Of Herbal Medicine Journal | Herbal Medicine Journal". Florajournal.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 May 2016. "NCCIH". NCCIH. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 May 2016. Skidmore-Roth, Linda. Mosby's Handbook Of Herbs & Natural Supplements. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby/Elsevier, 2010. Print. "TED: Ideas Worth Spreading". Ted.com. N.p., 2016. Web. 17 May 2016.