Different Types of Herbal Medicine

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Herbal Medicine

There are many positive aspects that herbal medicine has going for it.
Unfortunately, the lack of adequate scientific understanding means that there is no way a doctor can completely take responsibility for what is being prescribed and hence the safety factor involved in taking herbal medicines is suspect.


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Chemical Drugs 

Do You know what Your taking


herbal cure
Stinging hairs on a nettle leaf- Image by Liz Hirst. Wellcome Images
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The drugs that we normally take have to undergo thorough testing and need FDA approval. This entire process ensures that every single chemical in the medicine and its interaction with the human body (and resulting side effects) are well understood, documented, and scientifically demonstrable. 

While herbal medicines enjoy the reputation of being less complicated it should be remembered that they are manufactured by Mother Nature and she does not need FDA approval or scientific testing.

 

Cure Yourself Naturally

Fortunately, thousands of years of development have put herbal medicines into a certain safety zone that has helped many a human being with being cured.

Take Precautions 

Know what You take


herbal medicine
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So, herbal medicines might be risky but there is no need to worry if you take the simple precaution of consulting your doctor before consuming any herbal concoction.

Doctors are sort of walking pharmacopoeias and they know more about all those chemicals and REMEMBER: They can advise you properly.

Cultural Therapies 

Reseach the possibilities

Another thing to know with herbal medicine is that different cultures have resulted in different types of herbal therapies. 
 
WARNING: Thanks to the Internet and online marketing there is no shortage of frauds selling roots and leaves grown in their backyards. Make certain that when you get herbal medicine it comes from genuine herbs. The wrong herbs might possibly contain toxic chemicals that make a trip to the hospital inevitable.




Some common forms of herbal medicines are as follows:

Essence 

You have probably come across the line "essence of " followed by some plant or flower when reading an ad for a cosmetic product. While Essences tend to get associated with cosmetic products due to massive advertising of those products, certain essential oils are always available for therapeutic purposes.

The popularity of essential herbal oils processed through cold pressing or steam distillation is because many people prefer to get a massage than eating a pill.The most common benefit of essential oils is the help they provide in relaxing. They do not really cure any problems. Their major effect is to provide relief.

Body massages can release toxins in the muscles, aiding relaxation. Head massages can likewise reduce heaviness or, in some cases, cure headaches. Similarly, chest massages using essence of certain herbs can help with congestion resulting from common cold.Image by aussiegall

Pills or capsules 

There was a time when this alternative was not available. It was a dark time for people who could not stand the taste of raw herbal medicines.

The pills and capsules were a godsend for people who wanted to try herbal remedies but were unable to swallow.

In order to convert a herb to pill form it first needs to be dried and crushed into powder. What is of interest is that there are hardly any herbal medicines available in pill or capsule form that target specific ailments.They act more like secondary medications to provide moral support to whatever primary medication is being taken.

Professionals in herbal medicine believe that the drying and crushing of the herbs robs them of their potency. Others suggest that herbal medicine should be taken in its raw form for complete effectiveness.

Anyway, if you are looking for specific herbal medicines instead of general health enhancers and supplements then this option is not for you.Image by Brooks Elliott

Infusion 

The most popular form of herbal infusion is the drinking of various kinds of tea.

Infusion involves the use of the delicate parts (leaves, seeds, and fruits) of a herbal plant and are quick to administer.

Some ingredients of infusion tea could be stinging nettle, oat straw, red clover, raspberry leaf, and comfrey leaf.

Infusions can be just the tea you drink normally (but using herbs instead of tealeaves)or what is known as Medicinal Strength Tea.

Most herbal teas fall into this category though the preparation is slightly different.

There are several recipes available on the Internet for making Medicinal Strength Tea.

Tincture 

There are very few kids who get exposed to this form of medicine these days but about twenty odd years ago no kid that got into a scrap in the field escaped the terror of tincture.

These are basically herbal medicines in a liquid form.

They can be for external as well as internal use.

Modern incarnations are a lot milder that their older forms.

Raw 


herbal cures
Image by pennyeast


As the name suggests, in this case the herbal medicine is taken in its most natural form without any additives or changes to make it palatable.

Most people will run a mile in tight shoes to avoid this form of medication.

It is the equivalent of taking a regular capsule, pulling it open, taking that powder, putting it on the tongue and trying to suck on it as if it were chocolate.

Not done, well at least not if the taste buds are functioning normally. No wonder this method in unpopular.

The good news is that most of the herbs that need to be taken raw can alternatively be soaked (or passed through) water to make medicinal strength teas, and those are much easier on sensitive palates.

It is also believed that teas increase the effectiveness of raw herbs.

Poultice 

Herbal Green Leaves with Bottle of Yellow Capsules

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It can become necessary to apply the herbal mixture as a poultice. Often used to cure:

- injuries,

- inflammations,

- cramps,

- or other spasmodic problems.


The required herbs are first macerated or chopped into small pieces. These are then applied directly to the affected area and covered with a hot and moist bandage.

In some cases, the herbal mixture can be applied as a layer to the moist bandage before wrapping it around the affected area.

Decoctions 



Image by Smoobs


A decoction is a liquid preparation made by boiling a medicinal plant with water usually in the proportion of 5 parts of the drug to 100 parts of water.

Typically, certain specific parts of a plant like berries, roots, and herb-bark are used in this process.

Depending on the consistency of the plant part being used, it can take up to two hours to prepare a decoction.

This process extracts the flavor and increases the concentration of the herb through the process of boiling.

That more or less covers the different types of herbal medicines available. Depending on your requirement and personal taste you might need to take them in one of the above forms.

Read Other Chapters Of "Natural Herbal Cures" ebook guide 

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Natural Herbal Cures 

NEW! Comprehensive Guide


How Would You Like To Have More Energy? Do You Want To Feel Great on a Consistent Basis?Then Learn About the Natural Cures Your Doctor Never Informed You About!

Here are just a few amazing facts you'll learn in this ebook:

Which natural herbs have a combined medicinal and culinary purpose you can use to enhance your health and lifestyle.

How you can use sugar and fat as an advantage, instead of cutting them out of your diet?

Discover the danger's of pharmaceutical drugs and how you can avoid the bad drugs and pills.

Learn the precise nature and and structure of a chemical in an herb, and how they react to your body and internal organs.

How the Chinese combine their natural medicinal herbs? Discover natural cures to treat all kinds of disorders...like the common cold or preventing influenza.

Learn one of the oldest forms of health care dating back a few hundred years. Alternatives that are very safe and no side-effects.

The most important herbal supplements you should be adding to your diet.

And Much More!
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Aromatherapy 


People have relied on over the counter remedies purchased at the drugstore for years. Many of these remedies are ineffective and most of them can be toxic if used on a long term basis. They contain synthetic chemicals.

Aromatherapy is the art of healing yourself naturally, using products derived from nature. There is nothing synthetic about Aromatherapy. It is simply the art of being in touch with nature and realizing that everything that we need to survive and live a healthy life is here on earth for us to use. We just need to know how to use it.

Today, there is a book that can tell you how to use Aromatherapy not only as a healing method, but to help others as well and even start your own business. If you want to learn about Aromatherapy and discover how this can actually improve the quality of your life, you need to read this book.
Support independent publishing: buy this e-book on Lulu.

Alternatvie Medicine Guide 


People look to use Alternative Medicine for 2 Reasons.

The First is because the idea of using Medications which can Potentially Lead to Unhealthy Results such as Dependencies and Side Effects.

The Second is the Natural curiosity of humans to find better Alternative ways to heal. Alternative Medicine encompasses many different therapies, such as:
- Yoga,
- Color Therapy,
- Hypnosis,
- Meditation,
- Herbal Remedies,
- Vitamin Therapy
and Many, Many More.

Life consists of many parts, not just treatment of the disease. This Guide will explore the many different components of Alternative Medicine and How it Can Help You.
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