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Alternative treatment. Holistic therapy. Natural remedies. These are all buzzwords for a growing phenomenon - utilizing herbs, homeopathic treatments and alternative therapies like acupressure and yoga instead of chemical formulations and traditional medicine and surgery to combat ills throughout the body.
Happily, some of these treatments have been found to be effective. But many remedies have been shown to contain inconsistent or low levels of active ingredients, and others can even be dangerous.
"Currently, consumers have no clear basis for determining product quality," said Larry Augsburger, a professor with the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. "Until government or industry standards are put into place, consumers must take it upon themselves to learn the nuances of dietary supplements and to protect themselves from potential dangers, not to mention from wasting their money on less than efficacious products," Augsburger said.
The Food and Drug Administration currently does not have standards for evaluating dosage levels or ingredients in herbal supplements, but it can legally prevent supplement manufacturers from claiming their products can cure disease.
Many traditional health care professionals are quick to label herbal remedies as "quackery," because the results they are said to produce are difficult - if not impossible - to measure. After all, how do you quantify increased vitality, a more positive attitude, relieved stress? Despite this apparent lack of concrete scientific evidence, the World Health Organization estimates that 80% of the world's population use some form of herbs for medicinal purposes. And those that do rely on herbal remedies are quick to attest to their benefits.
Additionally, some health care providers prescribe herbal remedies to complement traditional medicine. Herbal remedies "don't replace what's taught in medical schools, but rather complete it. they fill in what's been missing - an appreciation for the body's innate self-healing abilities," said Michael Castleman, author of "Nature's Cures" (Rodale Press, 1996).
Herbs and your dental health
A toothpaste containing the herbs echinacea, goldenseal calendula, aloe vera, bloodroot and grapefruit seed extract was discovered in a three-month study to be as effective as a leading brand of toothpaste at reducing plaque and staining on the teeth. Similarly, a mouthwash containing these same herbs was found to be more effective in fighting oral bacteria than the old standby, Listerine.
Warren Scherer, a professor of restorative dentistry at the New York University School of Dentistry, completed the study on these two products. "We were a bit surprised," he said. "Before the study, I couldn't even pronounce Echinacea. This may lead to more (dentists) learning about the benefits of herbs," he added.
"I'm not sure holistic medicine will interact with dentistry, but I see that both consumers and dentists need more education," Scherer said. A spokesperson with the Academy of General Dentistry said, "Although we do not have a policy or position statement regarding alternative dentistry, the academy does recognize and credit a variety of continuing education courses that help the members stay up to date on the latest procedures and technology, including those on alternative dentistry."
Just because it's natural doesn't mean it's safe
"Consumers may not understand how the possible side effects of herbal remedies relate to their oral health," said Eric Shapira, DDS, of the AGD. You should consult with a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis before taking any over-the-counter herbal remedies. It's also vital that your dentist and other health care providers are aware of the herbal remedies you are taking before they provide treatment, so they can take the appropriate precautions and avoid any drugs that may have negative interactions.