Dubick M A
J Nutr. 1986 Jul;116(7):1348-54. doi: 10.1093/jn/116.7.1348.
Herbal products continue to be popular among the American public for the treatment or prevention of a number of ailments. The medicinal use of herbs is deeply rooted in human history and folklore, and has been incorporated into the traditional medicine of virtually all human cultures. Strong religious and mystical beliefs have been associated with the healing properties of many herbs. These beliefs, together with the definite physiological and pharmacological effects of various herbs, as well as their economic potential, have been instrumental in the development of human medicine. Despite advances in our understanding of the medicinal and toxic properties of many herbs, the consumer today is confronted with misinformation concerning the efficacy of herbs that rivals the heyday of the patent medicine era. The discussion that follows examines the development of certain concepts throughout history concerning the use of herbs, and how these concepts may help account for the continued popularity of two highly promoted herbs, ginseng and garlic.
草药产品在美国公众中持续流行，用于治疗或预防多种疾病。草药的药用在人类历史和民间传说中根深蒂固，几乎已融入所有人类文化的传统医学之中。许多草药的治愈特性都与强烈的宗教和神秘信仰相关联。这些信仰，连同各种草药明确的生理和药理作用，以及它们的经济潜力，都对人类医学的发展起到了推动作用。尽管我们对许多草药的药用和毒性特性的理解有所进步，但如今消费者面对的关于草药功效的错误信息，可与成药时代的全盛时期相媲美。接下来的讨论审视了历史上关于草药使用的某些观念的发展，以及这些观念如何有助于解释两种大力推广的草药——人参和大蒜——为何持续受到欢迎。
