Herbal Medicine Overview
Herbal Medicine is the use of botanicals (plants)
either singularly or in combination to prevent and treat certain
ailments and illnesses.
People native to different geographical locations have long used
plants and plant extracts to cure specific maladies.
With all our so-called advancements in the medical field, it’s
interesting that physicians are still treating “effect” rather than
“cause.” The old adage that, “an ounce of prevention is worth a
pound of cure” could not be more true. This is especially true when
it comes to natural remedies.
Most natural remedies are botanical. Singularly or in combination,
the numbers of herbs available is astounding. Many of the
combinations include both herbs and other sources such as tree bark,
alfalfa and rhubarb.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT HERB
Nothing in the makeup of a plant tells us in what way it would be
used the best. There are over a half million known herbs that could
be used as possible remedies. In China, The Chinese Herbalist
practitioners have over 2,000 that are readily available in their
pharmacies.
Herbal remedies around the globe very in strength from very mild,
gentle remedies that we even use as food to potential poisons if
taken at the wrong dose.
Folk use of herbal remedies is familiar to all of us in some form or
another. Rightly so, because this is how these remedies are learned.
They are passed down from generation to generation.
Unfortunately, that is what fuels the fire of the scientific
community and their disdain. It really is their loss, because
generations of experience and knowledge should not be so readily
dismissed. In fact, many of our current pharmacological concoctions
have their roots in herbal medicine.
Remedies and recipes for herbal teas are handed down from generation
to generation and are still remembered and used to this day.
Thankfully, the current changes in the world toward the traditional
remedies is changing and changing for the better.
HARMFUL EFFECTS AND THINGS TO AVOID
Herbs are good medicine. There is no doubt about that fact. However,
there are over 300,000 higher plant species. A good herbalist may
know of one or two thousand of them. This means that even an
experienced herbalist can make mistakes. Let’s take a look at some
of the most common problems.
Pregnant women should avoid barberry root bark, cascara sagrada,
feverfew, juniper berries, mugwort, pennyroyal, pokeroot, rue, senna,
southernwood, tansy, thuja and wormwood. All of those herbs can
increase a risk for miscarriage. Safe herbs during pregnancy would
be Manna, Butternut Bark or Root, Flax Seed, Slippery Elm and Lemon
Verbena.
No matter what herb(s) you are taking, be mindful of anything
unexpected. Stop taking whatever it is and consult an expert you can
trust.
Make certain you have the correct diagnosis. Diagnosis is not easy
and sometimes doctors make mistakes. Generally, however, a doctor is
much better equipped to diagnose. Discuss any planned herbal
discipline you plan to undertake with your physician.
Watch for any allergic reactions. Even though you may have never had
any allergies in the past, if you are embarking on an herbal
journey, watch carefully for any adverse reactions. If you
experience difficulty in breathing within 30 minutes of trying a new
herb, food or drug, call 911 immediately! You may be having an
anaphylactic reaction which is the most severe form of allergic
reaction. This condition can quickly become fatal unless treated
promptly. This reaction is rare, but you need to be careful and be
aware.
Watch for any interactions. Medicines often interact negatively with
one another. So do herbs. Always be careful when taking more than
one drug or herb or a combination of both. If you suspect an
interaction consult your physician or pharmacist.
One interaction that you should be aware of is Antidepressants known
as monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors. They interact badly with
wine, cheese and many other foods. St. John’s Wort is also an MAO
inhibitor so the same food restrictions apply. If you plan on using
St. John’s Wort, discuss it with your physician or pharmacist.
Lastly, make certain that both your physician AND your herbalist are
fully aware of all medications and/or herbal treatments you are
using.
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- Natural Remedies
- Home Remedies
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