| Title | Athletics and Herbs | |
| Author | Spyridon Dimoschakis
Department of Ergometry, Sports Unit, Hellenic Parliament, Athens, Hellas |
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| Citation | Dimoschakis, S.: Athletics and Herbs, Review Clin. Pharmakol. Pharmakokinet. Int. Ed. 23(3): 57-62 (2015) | |
| Publication Date | Accepted for publication (Final Version): March 30, 2015 |
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| Full Text Language | English | |
| Keywords | Athletics, physical exercise, herbs, modern herbal medicine, herbs with known adverse effects, Government regulations of herbs. | |
| Other Terms | review article | |
| Summary | Herbs are non-woody plants or plant parts claimed to have medicinal, therapeutic, or physical performance-enhancing values, but scientific scrutiny with controlled clinical trials has only recently been used to study such effects. Herbs can be sold as fresh or dried products, liquid or solid extracts, tablets, capsules, powders, in drinks, in energy bars, or in tea bags. Herbs have a long history of use, especially in China. However, in most cases, double-blind, placebo-controlled human research on herb use by athletes is limited or non-existent, making it difficult to assess the value of herbs for improving athletic performance. Concerns over safety, side effects, and potential drug/herb interactions make it essential for athletes to discuss the use of herbal products with their health-care team. Accessing reputable information about herbs and performance is difficult but critical when educating athletes about potential benefits and adverse side effects of herbs. Ginseng, caffeine, ma huang (Chinese ephedra), ephedrine, a combination of caffeine and ephedrine and Eurycoma longifolia Jack are the most popular herbs used in exercise and sports. It is believed that these herbs have an ergogenic effect and thus help to improve physical performance. Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the effects of these herbs on exercise performance. Mahuang, ephedrine, and related alkaloids have not benefited physical performance except when combined with caffeine. Investigators have reported no significant improvement in either cycling or running endurance after supplementation with this herb. Other herbs remain virtually untested. | |
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