Phytotherapy, the science of medicinal plants

The advances of the science allow to have greater knowledge about medicinal plants, the products derived from these, their optimal concentrations, active compounds, etc. In recent years, the Phytotherapy It has been gaining strength in Europe between different sectors, including sports. With the use of herbal medicine an attempt is made to treat the effect of some diseases through the use of plants and alleviate, prevent, or even restore.

Use of medicinal plants and recommendations

The main applications in which herbal medicine seems to have an improvement effect are:

• Improves the evolution of injuries.
• Improves or maintains the immune system.
• It enhances sleep quality.
• Improves nerves and stress.
• Improves digestive discomfort.

When using this type of product, it is important that we take into account the following aspects:

How to take medicinal plants

The activity and efficacy of medicinal plants will depend on the presentation or format, dose and method of administration. As with sports drugs or supplements, the diagnosis must be known before choosing the herbal preparation, so as to guarantee its efficacy, quality and safety. Once the plant type the specialist will advise the most effective form of administration, it can be:

• Liquid form: the most used form of administration are herbal teas. It can be obtained by infusion, decoction or maceration with water with a small amount of plant. Another way can be through syrups, drops or essential oils, etc. These are preparations that are dissolved for example in alcohol, and in which different types of extraction are carried out.
• Semi-liquid form: they are usually formulations for external use, such as ointments, creams, gels ...
• Solid shapes: capsules, powdered roots ... where the concentration is usually higher and seems to produce a greater effect.

Possible side effects

Although there is belief that for being a natural product can not hurt to health, it should not be forgotten that they can cause adverse or secondary effects. Furthermore, if taken with other drugs it should always be to avoid possible interactions. The risks associated with medicinal plants can be:

• Adverse reactions.
• Therapeutic ineffectiveness.
• Interactions
• Doping: If you are a professional athlete, you should review the legal framework regarding its consumption since, in some competitions, the use of this type of product may be considered doping.

Regulations for medicinal plants

If is one medicinal plant medicine will follow the same law as a normal medicine and, therefore, the same rigorous controls. But when it comes to a over-the-counter product, its controls change and they are less rigorous. These types of products, commonly called dietary supplements, can run the risk of mix certain plants that marry each other or confuse spices. All of this can generate some kind of secondary effect.

Uses according to the type of medicinal plant

• Stimulants: excitants of the nervous system. Like him, mate and him.
• Adaptogens: those plants that provide a protective effect against the state of stress, normalizing the functions of the body and strengthening the systems compromised by it. Like him or maca.
• Anabolic: those that promote a favorable metabolic and endocrine environment for increased protein synthesis. This would be the case with thistle and fenugreek.
• Relaxing: plants with sedative, tranquilizing and hypnotic properties. The most used are Melissa, Valerian, Tila, California Poppy.
• Digestive: plants that can help improve gastrointestinal disorders, abdominal pain or intestinal transit disorder. The most used are, plantago,, papaya, pineapple ,.
• Musculoskeletal involvement: they are used for the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, their active principles usually have analgesic and anti-inflammatory action. Some of the most commonly used plants are turmeric, boswellia, and devil's claw.
• Immunomodulatory: they are characterized by influencing in various ways, both quantitatively and qualitatively, on macrophage cells, monocytes, lymphocytes or granulocytes. Through these, they activate certain protection mechanisms against foreign agents such as viruses or bacteria. Some of the most used are echinacea and cat's claw.
• Circulatory system: vasodilator and antispasmodic action. It is used to treat headaches and migraines, and it also seems to improve cognitive function. We find in this group the.

The use of said plants may or may not help, as an adjunct or not to the therapeutic treatment, depending on the dose, the presentation, the form of administration, also for athletes. Some are less effective than conventional drugs, while the effect of others would be comparable. The technological advances allow to quantify the active principles, being able to guarantee the same amount in each dose, so that the product can guarantee a therapeutic effect, if so supported by scientific studies.

• Phytotherapy is the science that studies the use of plants, roots, etc. with a therapeutic purpose, to prevent, ameliorate or cure a disease.
• Advances in science allow greater knowledge of medicinal plants, the products derived from them, their optimal concentrations, active compounds, etc.
• There are risks associated with the consumption of medicinal plants such as adverse reactions, therapeutic ineffectiveness, interactions, doping.

INFORMATIVE NOTE

The contents included in this section offer information related to existing therapies explained by spets with experience in the field for an informative purpose. MAPFRE does not intend under any circumstances to position itself on its suitability or expressly promote its use. "

Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics Specialist in pharmacology, nutrition and sports supplementation