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HERBAL MEDICINE
And Medicinal Benefits of Herbs
Links
to specific herbs
The medicinal benefits of herbs have been known for
centuries. Records of Native American, Roman, Egyptian, Persian, and Hebrew medical
practices show that herbs were used extensively to cure practically every known illness.
The practice has existed since prehistoric times and is used today by up to 80% of the
world’s population as a primary form of medicine.
Herbs may be used directly as teas or extracts, or they
may be used in the production of drugs. Many herbs contain powerful ingredients that, if
used correctly, can help heal the body. The pharmaceutical industry was originally based
upon the ability to isolate these ingredients, and make them available in a purer form.
Herbalists, however, believe that nature provides other ingredients in the same herbs to
balance the more powerful ingredients. These other components, though they may be less
potent, may help to act as buffers, synergists, or counter-balancers working in harmony
with the more powerful ingredients. Therefore, by using herbs in their complete form, the
body’s healing process utilizes a balance of ingredients provided by nature.
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Many people believe that herbs are just as effective as
drugs, but without the side effects. Herbs do perform many healing functions in the body,
but they must be used appropriately, not indiscriminately. Although herbal remedies are
less likely than most conventional medicines to cause side effects, herbs nevertheless can
be very potent. Moreover, not all plant life is beneficial. There are poisonous plants,
and some of them are deadly, especially if used for long periods of time. In fact, it is
important to point out that qualified herbalists use herbs with great care. Also, since
herbs contain active ingredients, one should be aware that some of these elements may
interact negatively with prescribed medications. Certain herbs should be used only for
healing purposes, and not for extended periods of time.
Herbs can be of great value when used in a program of
self-care and preventive medicine. But because they vary in strength from gentle remedies
that can be eaten like food to potential lethal poisons, medicinal plants should always be
used under the supervision of a Health Care Professional. A practitioner can advise which
of the milder “tonic”" herbs, such as dandelion and nettle, are safe and
appropriate for your condition. A number of culinary herbs — including thyme and
rosemary, which act as digestive stimulants and antiseptics — may also be used in a
preventive health program.
Herbal therapy has been criticized because medicinal
plants have not been tested for efficacy according to rigid pharmaceutical standards.
However, there’s continuing debate over whether such testing should be performed on
the entire herb or only on its active ingredients. Some remedies depend on the actions of
several components (or several herbs) working together. Another problem is that sometimes
an herb’s active ingredients are not known. Proponents of herbal therapy point out
that the pharmaceutical industry grew out of herbal treatment and that plant extracts are
still used to make drugs. For example, digitalis, used to treat heart disease, comes from
foxglove, and morphine comes from the opium poppy. About 25 percent of today’s
prescription drugs are at least partially derived from plants.
Click
on each herb name below
for info on that specific herb.
Other
Guides
Herbal
Guide |
Vitamin
Guide |
Mineral
Guide
Holistic
Health Glossary
Recommended
book:
"The Herbal Companion: The Essential Guide
to Using Herbs
for Your Health & Well-Being"
by Marcus Webb
Info/order this book
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