Herbalism 101- Introduction to Medicinal Herbalism

Herbal medicine takes a holistic approach to healing, recognizing that mind, body and spirit all play a role in health. The aim of herbal healing is to find and treat the cause of the condition rather than simply treating isolated symptoms as is the often the case with conventional allopathic medicine. Diet, lifestyle, stress level, and many other factors have a bearing on total health and well-being. When any one of these is out of balance, it has an effect on the others. A well-known example is how stress can lead to a whole range of physical ailments from ulcers and headaches to a weakened immune system and increased susceptibility to contagious diseases such as colds and flu.

Medicinal herbs do not always provide a quick fix for symptoms. People accustomed to using pharmaceutical drugs sometimes complain that herbal remedies "don't work" because they don't see instantaneous results. Depending on the condition being treated, it may take days or even weeks to produce a noticeable improvement. This is particularly true for chronic problems that have persisted for years. Lifestyle and diet changes along with medicinal herbs may also be necessary to achieve healing.

On the other hand, some herbal remedies act remarkably quickly, especially for acute problems. I have experienced relief within minutes for headaches by chewing feverfew leaves and stomachaches by drinking ginger tea. I have used herbal infusions formulated for bladder infections and severe menstrual cramps, and gotten relief by the time the cup was empty. The healing power of herbs is indeed amazing.

This is a brief introduction to some of the properties of medicinal herbs. It is intended for educational purposes only. If you have a health issue, see a trained herbalist or qualified healthcare professional.

Many pharmaceutical drugs are based on therapeutically active ingredients originally found in medicinal plants. Approximately 120 different chemical substances derived from plants, known as phytochemicals, are used in modern medicine. A few examples include :

• salicylic acid, the active ingredient in aspirin, originally came from the bark of the willow tree (Salix alba)
  
• the anticancer drugs vincristine and vinblastine were derived from Madagascar periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus)
  
• the heart drugs digitalin, digitoxin and digoxin from foxglove (Digitalis purpurea)
  
• the painkiller morphine from the poppy (Papaver somniferum)
  
• the anticancer drug taxol from the Pacific yew tree (Taxus brevifolia)
  
• silymarin used to detoxify the liver from milk thistle, (Silybum marianum)
  
• the malaria drug quinine originated from the quinine tree (Cinchona ledgeriana)
  
  Read more about Plant Based Drugs and Medicines

Adaptogens- help to increase the body's resistance to stress, whether it is mental or physical stress. Adaptogenic herbs act in a non-specific way to lessen the harmful effects of stress by regulating metabolism, improving glucose uptake, normalizing stress hormone levels, and enhancing immunity. Some adaptogenic herbs include ginseng, rhodiola, ashwaganda, schisandra, and astragalus. What is an Adaptogen?

Alteratives- a class of herbs that improves overall health. They act in a variety of ways to improve metabolism, purify the blood, or promote digestion and elimination of toxins. Alterative herbs include burdock, red clover, red root, dandelion, nettle, yellow dock, and milky oats. Herbal Alteratives and Depuratives (Blood Purifiers)

Antispasmodics- relieve muscle cramps and spasms; some herbs that relieve nervous tension are also included in this category. Antispasmodic herbs include lobelia, dong quai, black cohosh, and motherwort.

Astringents- work to constrict or bind the tissues, useful to stop discharges or reduce swelling. They often contain tannins. Some examples of astringents are white oak bark, witch hazel, horsetail, uva ursi and bayberry.

Cholagogues- also called bitters because most cholagogues are very bitter, these herbs promote the release of bile from the gall bladder, which is necessary to digest fats and oils. Bitters are often taken just before meals to aid in digestion. Some bitters include Oregon grape root, barberry and artichoke leaf.

Demulcents- these herbs contain high amounts of mucilage, and act to soothe and protect the tissues. They may be used for a variety of conditions from sore throats to gastric distress and bladder infections. Marshmallow root, licorice and slippery elm are demulcents.

Diaphoretics- herbs that induce perspiration and are generally used for treatment of fever. Some diaphoretics are lemon balm, angelica, elderflowers, yarrow and hyssop.

Diuretics- help to remove excess water from the body by increasing the production of urine; relieve symptoms of water retention and edema. Diuretic herbs include dandelion, nettle, uva ursi and cleavers.

Expectorants- promote the loosening and removal of mucus from the lungs, used for upper respiratory congestion. Some expectorants are elecampane, yerba santa, mullein and coltsfoot.

Nervines- herbs that calm and ease anxiety and nervous tension. This category includes herbs that are calming and relaxing as well as tonic nervines that restore and nourish the nervous system. Examples of nervines include skullcap, valerian, lemon balm, passion flower, and lavender.

Vulneraries- wound-healing herbs that encourage cell growth and repair. Some vulneraries are comfrey, calendula, aloe vera and plantain.

This is just a sampling of the healing properties and actions of medicinal herbs.