Medicinal plants to treat obesity
Section: Medicinal herbs
How to quote
Serrano Ruiz A. Hierbas medicinales para tratar la obesidad. Metas de Enferm nov 2005; 8(9): 62-64
Authors
Alfredo Serrano Ruiz
Position
Enfermero. Farmacología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro de Madrid
Contact address
Servicio de Farmacología Clínica. Hospital Universitario Clínica Puerta de Hierro. C/ San Martín de Porres, 4. 28035
Contact email: aserrano.hpth@salud.madrid.org
Abstract
Due to the large market that obesity generated, one of the largest fields for alternative therapies is in fact the treatment of obesity. The lack of pharmacological options that traditional medicine presents for this condition and the difficulty representing the modification of habits such as the diet and exercise compel the population to find alternatives that offered a rapid solution for their excess weight problems. Therapies based on medicinal herbs are usually first choice, once the adoption of healthy habits has been ruled out. In general, herbs used for the treatment of obesity have a good safety profile and a low incidence rate of interaction with drugs. However, they have a low, if non existent, efficacy. Worth mentioning are cases such as Ephedra, for its multiple adverse effects, or Hypericum, for its numerous pharmacological applications.
Keywords:
Obesity; alternative therapies; Medicinal herbs; pharmacology
Versión en Español
Título:
