But, as we become more concerned about the side effects of drug therapies, many people are re-examining the benefits of herbal remedies as preventative measures or adjunct treatments to go along with traditional medicine.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported on several of the more popular herbal remedies and what research has shown about their ability to actually protect health and prevent disease. Here are their findings on some of the more common herbal remedies.

Garlic

Allium is the family of plants from which we get garlic and onions. Garlic has been used for many years to season food and for medical remedies. Within garlic, there is a compound called allicin, which inhibits many forms of bacteria, including, mold, yeast and viruses.

In addition, research has suggested that garlic protects against cardiovascular disease by helping to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides without lowering good cholesterol.

Researchers recommend that for health protection we should have one half to one clove of garlic per day. The research also concluded that garlic extract tablets were just as effective at lowering cholesterol as pure garlic.

Garlic has also been shown to stimulate the immune system and interfere with carcinogens, helping to prevent cancer. In fact, mortality from stomach cancer in China is lowest in the northern part of the country, where much garlic is grown, and where the intake of garlic is very high.

People in this region of China have an up to 40% lower risk of stomach cancer than other Chinese.

Onions seem to have similar effects. In central Georgia, where Vidalia onions are grown extensively and, of course, eaten extensively, the incidence of stomach cancer is about half that of the rest of the US

Flavonoids

Flavonoids are plant pigments that are found in a wide variety of plants. Flavonoids are potent anti-oxidants, which have been found to prevent early aging, a wide range of diseases and have the potential to lower cholesterol.

In one study in the Netherlands, research showed that elderly men with high intakes of flavonoids had a 60% lower mortality rate from heart disease and a 70% lower risk of stroke than men of the same age whose flavonoids consumption was low. The best sources of flavonoids are in fruits, vegetables and green tea.

Green tea seems to be a particularly healthy source of flavonoids and other anti-oxidants. Several studies have suggested that drinking tea can lower blood cholesterol and blood pressure, both of which reduce the risk of heart disease.

Green tea is particularly effective because it contains EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate), one of the most potent anti-oxidants out there. Green tea also inhibits carcinogens in the same way as garlic, so is believed to prevent cancer in multiple ways.

Echinacea

Echinacea has been used for years for a variety of medicinal purposes. It has been used as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory. It has the power to improve your immune system's ability to fight germs, and can be effective in reducing symptoms of the cold and flu, including sore throat.

Many people use Echinacea as a regular supplement to improve immune system function. Others rely on Echinacea to help reduce the length of a cold and improve symptoms. Echinacea doesn't appear to have side effects, but does appear to lose some of its effectiveness if overused.

Follow directions closely, and be sure that you doctor approves your use of it if you are currently taking prescription medications.

Flaxseed

Flaxseed is an excellent source of lignans. These plant lignans ferment in the colon where they have an effect similar to that of estrogen.

These estrogens can bind with a woman's estrogen receptors and inhibit the growth of estrogen stimulated breast cancer. Therefore, flaxseed is thought to be a breast cancer preventative, at least for some forms of breast cancer.

Turmeric

Turmeric also contains phenols, which are anti-oxidants and which have been found to have anti-mutagenic properties. Turmeric suppresses the development of several types of cancer, including stomach, breast and lung cancer.

It has also been shown to be effective at suppressing skin tumors.

Turmeric acts as an anti-inflammatory because of the anti-oxidant curcumin that it contains. This is a potent anti-oxidant in its own right, and is also found in ginger.

Herbs have been used since the beginning of time to help heal the body - don't forget that they were the first medicines. And, while medicine has come a long way in recent history, herbs still have their place in preventing and sometimes treating diseases.

It's important to communicate with your doctor about any alternative therapies, including herbs that you're using. But, the right mix of herbs and traditional medicine can make a powerful combination for health.