| | Herbal Medicine: Sports Herbs | |
There is sometimes a gap between fact and fiction in advertising, as most
of us realize. I have seen companies manufacturing herbal weight-training
formulas make wild claims about the following herbal extracts. Here, I have
summarized the supportable traditional and modern uses of these herbs.
Damiana known in Mexico as a mild aphrodisiac and nervous system stimulant--no
plant sterols have been found in damiana
Sarsaparilla a good "blood purifier," especially for nitrogen-based
waste products, such as uric acid; may be a useful herb for speeding recovery
time after workouts--contains phytosterols
Saw palmetto used extensively in Europe for male and female sexual organ
and urinary tract tonification; lowers inflammation and is recommended for
prostatitis; contains beta-sitosterin
Wild Yam often recommended as anti-spasmodics for relieving uterine cramps
and colic; contains diosgenin which is an economically important precursor
to progesterone for birth-control pills; there is no evidence that phytosteroids
in wild yam act as anabolic steroids in the human body
While it is true that these herbs contain plant sterols, which possess the
same basic ring-structure as human hormones, there is no clinical or laboratory
evidence that these are transformed into human steroids in the body. In
fact, many foods we eat contain the same types of sterols, even in higher
concentrations (such as soy products). These foods are readily available,
and provide many more phytosterols for a whole lot less money.
Although I have found in my 22 years of experience with herbs and health
that there are no "magic bullets" for energy, endurance and healing
of injuries sustained during sports activities, herbs remain the most ideal
remedies for everyday situations.