Complimentary Medicine
Practitioners of herbal medicine use all or parts of plants to treat a wide range of complaints. Animals instinctively know which herbs to eat if wounded or bitten, and our earliest use of herbal remedies was probably intuitive. Ancient Chinese and Egyptian records over 2,000 years old refer to herbal remedies, and until science developed pharmaceutical drugs, herbs were part of standard medical practice. They are still an important element in folk medicine around the world.
The therapeutic properties of plants are widely accepted, and scientists have drawn on herbal lore to develop modern pharmaceuticals. Digoxin, for instance, a drug used to treat heart failure, is a synthesised form of digitalis, an active chemical in the foxglove plant, which is a traditional remedy for heart conditions.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Western herbal medicine seeks to restore what it calls the 'vital force', the body's natural capacity to protect, regulate, renew and heal itself. A herbalist will not simply hand you a cream for a rash, but try to find the source of the problem. Is it caused by stress or poor diet? Or by a poorly performing liver? A remedy for eczema may include herbs to help you relax as well as ones to soothe the skin.
Medical herbalists prepare remedies tailored to individual patients. They prefer to use the natural plant as a medicine, but scientific analysis has enabled researchers to identify the actual chemical components of plants. Standardisation techniques that ensure an optimum level of the active ingredient in every dose plus mass production methods mean that herbal preparations are available in health shops and pharmacists as commercially packaged tablets, capsules, tinctures, oils, creams, ointments and teas. This enables people to treat themselves for minor complaints like mild depression (St John's wort), colds (echinacea and goldenseal) and migraine (feverfew).
The therapeutic properties of plants are widely accepted, and scientists have drawn on herbal lore to develop modern pharmaceuticals. Digoxin, for instance, a drug used to treat heart failure, is a synthesised form of digitalis, an active chemical in the foxglove plant, which is a traditional remedy for heart conditions.
Rather than treating symptoms in isolation, Western herbal medicine seeks to restore what it calls the 'vital force', the body's natural capacity to protect, regulate, renew and heal itself. A herbalist will not simply hand you a cream for a rash, but try to find the source of the problem. Is it caused by stress or poor diet? Or by a poorly performing liver? A remedy for eczema may include herbs to help you relax as well as ones to soothe the skin.
Medical herbalists prepare remedies tailored to individual patients. They prefer to use the natural plant as a medicine, but scientific analysis has enabled researchers to identify the actual chemical components of plants. Standardisation techniques that ensure an optimum level of the active ingredient in every dose plus mass production methods mean that herbal preparations are available in health shops and pharmacists as commercially packaged tablets, capsules, tinctures, oils, creams, ointments and teas. This enables people to treat themselves for minor complaints like mild depression (St John's wort), colds (echinacea and goldenseal) and migraine (feverfew).
Echinacea
Scientists have proven that taking Echinacea can more than halve the risk of catching a cold; not only cutting the chance of you catching one but also cutting down the duration you will have the cold if you do actually catch it.Echinacea is a plant species indigenous to North America that experts believe boost the body's immune system, making it the perfect cure for the common cold; if you really are prone to colds and flu then take the Echinacea with Vitamin C as it is estimated the combination of both with reduce cold incident by 86%.
Although Echinacea can help prevent or limit a cold, if you have a healthy immune system it is recommended that you don't take Echinacea for long term use, as the benefits may only occur for around 2-3 weeks. Therefore saving it until you detect the beginnings of a cold. Milk Thistle
Milk thistle is a plant that comes from the same group of flowers as the daisy. The seeds of the Milk Thistle plant contains an antioxidant called silymarin, which has been used in some herbal remedies throughout Europe for many years.Historically, milk thistle has been used as treatment for liver dysfunctions. For centuries, Native Americans have used milk thistle to treat boils and other skin ailments. Today, the primary use of milk thistle is to treat various liver conditions, inflammation, gall bladder disease as well as hepatic problems related to diabetes.
Milk thistle not only protects and regenerates the liver but also encourages the liver to cleanse itself of toxic substances such as alcohol, drugs, metals, pesticides, and anesthesia.Making it a good remedy for a hangover; taking one does of Milk Thistle before drinking and one before you go to bed will help your head and stomach in the morning as it aids the liver in processing all the booze you have consumed.
Garlic
Garlic has long been considered a herbal "wonder drug", with a reputation in folklore for preventing everything from the common cold and flu to the Plague! It has been used extensively in herbal medicine.
Raw garlic has been known to treat acne, act as a mosquito repellent and can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. Further to this studies have shown that garlic has a very powerful antioxidant effect, helping to protect the body against damaging toxins.
It is also rumoured that garlic has many anti ageing properties; regular consumption helping the ageing process of the skin.
However, garlic is a very powerful food and the side effects not only include smelly breathe but damage to your intestinal tract if you overdo it! To prevent this have garlic pills rather than the real deal.
Raw garlic has been known to treat acne, act as a mosquito repellent and can assist in managing high cholesterol levels. Further to this studies have shown that garlic has a very powerful antioxidant effect, helping to protect the body against damaging toxins.
It is also rumoured that garlic has many anti ageing properties; regular consumption helping the ageing process of the skin.
However, garlic is a very powerful food and the side effects not only include smelly breathe but damage to your intestinal tract if you overdo it! To prevent this have garlic pills rather than the real deal. Devils Claw
Devils Claw helps to reduce inflammation, pain and relax muscular spasm, which is especially helpful for back and joint pain.
Traditionally, the herb was used to treat arthritis, but research has since shown that it has little effect on the condition. However, clinical trials have shown that standardised extracts of devil's claw can be useful for alleviating lower back pain. Gingko Biloba
The Ginko Biloba tree is a hardy ornamental Native to Asia. The oldest living tree species known to humankind & described as a "living fossil", since it is the last survivor of its botanical family. Individual trees are thought to live up to 1,000 years.Ginkgo Biloba leaf has been used as food & medicine for over 4,000 yrs. Chinese herbalists still use Ginkgo Biloba for treatment of brain disorders, bronchitis & asthma.
Ginko Biloba has potent antioxidant effects and is said to improve memory & other cognitive functions. It is used to treat: cerebral insufficiency, senile dementia, & Alheimer's disease. It has also been known to reduce cardiovascular risks, Peripheral arterial disease & certain eye and ear disorders.
Ginko Biloba has potent antioxidant effects and is said to improve memory & other cognitive functions. It is used to treat: cerebral insufficiency, senile dementia, & Alheimer's disease. It has also been known to reduce cardiovascular risks, Peripheral arterial disease & certain eye and ear disorders. Sage
More formally known as a herb to put in curries and soups, sage when prepared can aid the common symptoms associated with Menopause.Such as:
Hot flushes
Excessive sweating
Excessive salivation
Inflammation or ulceration of mouth and throat
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- Jul 15, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
- Very nice lens, 5 star for you... for other alternative remedies, check out my Homeopathy lens.
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- flowergardener flowergardener Jul 4, 2008 @ 9:49 am
- Welcome to the Natural Medicine Group!
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