Herbal Medicine: Folic Acid

Folic acid is a vitamin that is essential for all human beings. It is also known by various other names like Vitamin B9, Folacin, Pteroylglutamic Acid and Folate. This vitamin is essential for the formation of new cells, as it synthesizes and repairs DNA. Everyone needs adequate amounts of this vitamin. Pregnant women require it in increased amount, as it is essential for the normal brain and spine development of the fetus in their womb.

Folic Acid and Women

Women require adequate amount of folic acid in order to give birth to healthy babies. All women who are preparing for pregnancy and pregnant women are advised to take folic acid through supplements or natural sources.

Folic acid is important for improving the fertility of men and women. As it is important for red blood cells production, it can improve the circulation of nutrients, thereby regulating the levels of hormones responsible for fertility. For example, the levels of norepinephrine are regulated by folic acid, which in turn reduces physical and emotional stress and prepares a woman for conceiving. Similarly, folic acid also regulates the serotonin hormone, which controls the levels of the progesterone hormone. Abnormal levels of progesterone inhibit a normal menstruation and ovulation cycle.

Vitamin B9, also referred to as folic acid, is essential for reducing the birth defects and difficulties of pregnancy. As folic acid supports the woman’s nervous functions, it can help her to come out of depression during the post-natal phase. Folic acid can also prevent spinal problems in the fetus.

Folic Acid and Anemia

As folic acid is also necessary to produce suficient amounts of red blood cells, deficiency of folic acid may increase the size of the red blood cells, thereby killing them prematurely. Due to this deficiency of folic acid, one can develop anemia.

Natural Sources of Folic Acid

Oranges, bananas, leafy vegetables, dark rice, cereals, dried beans, nuts, peas and milk are all natural sources of folic acid. Food items like breads and other grains or cereal products come fortified and enriched with folic acid. The body cannot store folic acid for long durations, and this underlines the importance of eating food items enriched with folic acid to sustain its level in the body.

Herbal Medicine

At times, your body may not be able to absorb the required amount of folic acid just by natural food intake. Drinking green or black tea affects the absorption of folic acid and iron. Tannins present in tea can hinder the absorption process. In such cases, folic acid has to be consumed in the form of herbal folic acid tablets. As these tablets are prepared from naturally available sources, it is considered as a herbal medicine.

Taking folic acid without a doctor’s prescription may also result in serious side effects. Insomnia, nausea, abdominal distension and reduced appetite can occur from an over-dosage of folic acid. Although herbal folic acid may not cause side effects, it is important to strictly follow the directions given on the labels of the medicine. In cases of such side effects and complications, do not hesitate to take medical advice from a physician.

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