Enoch takes a second look at traditional medicines

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In the 35 years pharmacist Sam Ibrahim has been in business, herbal and homeopathic medicine have moved from the fringes of accepted healthcare modalities almost to the mainstream in Canada.

Last month Ibrahim, who trained as a pharmacist in Germany where herbology is an essential part of doctors' and pharmacists' training, accepted an invitation to speak at Enoch First Nation's health centre. He talked about the pros and cons of taking natural herbal products and vitamins.

Ibrahim operates the Nutrition Plus Pharmacy on Whyte Ave. in Edmonton, and he is the owner of British Columbia-based Nutravite, a herbal and supplement manufacturing company.

Darlene Peacock, Enoch's health director, said they heard about the pharmacist through their massage therapist, Maureen Mercier. After meeting with Ibrahim they invited him to the reserve "to look at alternative medicine for our community members." She said, "if people are interested in going back to herbs or using herbs as an alternative method, he would teach (them)."

The audience of about 28 people, including three Elders, heard that herbal products work, but it isn't always easy to get the right information about them.

That is because the education of North American doctors, unlike their counterparts in many European countries, has not included much, if any, study of herbs. Also, until recently it has been difficult to find reliable literature that is written for lay people.

Ibrahim is concerned that many people are taking what they believe to be "natural" medicines without consulting an informed practitioner, not realizing that plant extracts have the same potential to help or harm as do prescription drugs.

"Twenty-five to 30 per cent of prescriptions still come from natural plants," Ibrahim said.

Ibrahim explained what herbal medicine is and he answered questions about easily obtainable plants and their derivatives, such as garlic, white willow bark, black cohosh and ginkgo biloba. He also cautioned against mixing prescription drugs and herbal remedies without medical advice, because taking one could increase or decrease the effect of the other.

"In the public eye, if it is herbal it is natural, so it's good," said Ibrahim. He said following that faulty logic would lead people to say that because tobacco, caffeine and hashish are natural they are also good for people.

He explained that even garlic, which has many health benefits, can react badly in people who are taking prescription drugs at the same time. "Garlic in food is all right," Ibrahim said; it is the supplements that could be a problem." He said garlic concentrated in capsules can increase the effect of blood thinner drugs and blood pressure medications. It also can decrease blood sugar levels when taken by people on diabetes medication.

Ibrahim says women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid large doses of garlic, and people with acute or chronic stomach problems shouldn't take garlic supplements at all. Those with diabetes or a blood clotting disorder should consult their doctor before taking any, Ibrahim said.

Another problem he pointed out was that the amounts of herbs are not standardized from brand to brand and sometimes labels don't tell the truth about the amount of herbal ingredient.

For instance, the Wampole company compared 10 brands of ginseng and five did not pass; they compared 10 ginkgo biloba and seven did not pass, according to Ibrahim.

As for vitamins, Ibrahim believes it is impossible for most people to get adequate nutrition from food as it is harvested, stored and processed today. He said "a B complex-a B50 or B100 is the least they should take." He also recommends Vitamin C, as an antioxidant and for colds, 2,000 mg a day-the equivalent of 80 oranges. Vitamin E is the other supplement at the top of Ibrahim's list, for heart, high blood pressure and oxidation of blood. He recommends 400 units a day or 500 grams of wheat germ oil.

For basic information about the action and ineractions of commonly available herbal products, check the Nutravite website at www.nutravite.com.