Other widely used herbal remedies include flaxseed, milk thistle, and
valerian. According to the NCCAM, people take flaxseed or flaxseed oil
to lower cholesterol, to manage heart disease, and to prevent cancer.
Flaxseed may help lower cholesterol in some people, but there is not
enough scientific evidence to support its use for any of those purposes.
NCCAM is funding studies of flaxseed to learn more about how the plant
impacts these conditions.
Milk thistle is typically used for liver disorders. Some research shows
it may be effective for liver disease caused by alcohol abuse, but other
studies show no improvement. Valerian, used for insomnia, is one of
the few herbal remedies that has been scientifically studied. However,
studies show mixed results. Some studies suggest it helps short-term
insomnia, while other study results are inconclusive.
Herb
Common use
Scientific evidence
for effectiveness
Garlic
High cholesterol
Likely effective
St. John’s
wort
Depression
Likely effective for
mild to moderate
depression
Peppermint Upset stomach,
irritable bowel syndrome
Inconclusive
Ginger
Nausea
Inconclusive
Soy
Menopausal symptoms
High cholesterol
Not effective
Effective
Chamomile
Insomnia, stomach problems No high-quality data
Kava-kava
Anxiety
Insomnia
Likely effective
Inconclusive
33
HERBAL SUPPLEMENTS
