Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries to treat common, and not so common, ailments and many people still swear by them today.
Are these people right in choosing “nature’s” treatments? Of course, there is no correct answer to this question, as the decision to use natural herbs for medical treatment is an entirely personal decision.
However, as with any other medicine, it’s important to remember that too much or too little does not benefit you. Educate yourself on your choices. For example, seeds from chia are considered to be a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and dietary fibre, something that is required in our diets. This is, without question, a fact. Because of this, chia seeds can be used as a substitute for butter or eggs in baking. Researchers think omega-3 fatty acids and fibre help reduce risk factors for heart disease.
Some people use chia seed for diabetes, high blood pressure, and generally reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke (cardiovascular disease).
However, according to WebMD, the appropriate dose of chia depends on several factors such as the user’s age, health, and several other conditions.
At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for chia and not enough is known about the safety of using chia seeds for a longer period than 12 weeks.
Also, blood contains several types of fat, including cholesterol and triglycerides. Triglyceride levels are too high in some people. Eating some types of chia can make them even higher. If you have high triglycerides, WebMD suggests you sick with using a specific variety of chia called Salba. Salba does not significantly increase triglyceride levels.
Chia contains a lot of alpha-linolenic acids. Some research suggests that large amounts of alpha-linolenic acid in the diet might increase the chance of getting prostate cancer. If you have prostate cancer or have a high risk of getting it, you probably should avoid eating large amounts of chia.
Herbal remedies, like any other medicinal regiment, can do more harm than good if not taken correctly. It’s wrong to assume that what you are taking “is just a plant” and cannot harm you.
It’s important to talk to your health care professional first and remember to follow relevant directions on product labels.
