The definition of "herbs that really work" depends largely on your standpoint and on legal issues.
Most practicing herbalists know that herbs work, but the evidence is largely empirical, meaning it has been tested over time on may people, but only by herbalists.
The FDA demands that each herb go through rigorous testing before any health declarations can be made.
Thus far, the humble oat remains the only one allowed to make a health claim by the FDA.
You might find it strange, but there are many standard drugs which require the actual herbs for manufacture.
Two good examples are foxglove (for digitalis) and the Pacific yew (breast cancer medications).
That would seem to indicate a grudging respect from researchers.
There is good news.
Scientists are finally beginning to do studies on herbs, something that should have been done a long time ago.
There are several different ways studies can be done.
I won't go into those designed merely to prove the belief of the scientist doing the research, but that happens, just as it can in any similar situation.
The first level of study is usually done in the lab and it involves several pieces of equipment.
Test tubes, petri dishes and microscopes form the first line of proving or disproving workability.
Youmay see them reported as test tube studies, despite the amount of equipment needed.
After the test tubes come animal studies.
These studies create a lot of controversy.
Many people feel that it is wrong to use an animal to find out if something will work, particularly if the animal has been bred for that purpose.
On the other side of the table are those that point out that without animal testing there would either be no new medicines discovered or we'd have to go straight to the next method of testing...
humans.
Once the scientists are fairly certain that the herbs or other potential medication won't cause harm, human trials begin.
The best are double blind, placebo based with a large number of volunteers so that the percentages are accurate.
Smaller tests are often done first, also part of making sure it's safe.
These tests are strictly volunteer, and the candidates chosen have to fit the study needs as closely as possible.
There are several promising herbs coming out of these studies.
Cinnamon for diabetics is one.
Three large trials of the kind mentioned above have been done, and according to PubMed, the U.
S.
National Library of Medicine, the results have been very promising.
The question about whether or not herbs really work will probably be debated for a long period of time.
Until the FDA lets us say so unequivocally, we'll have to depend on the empirical data and hope the studies hurry up.