You are here: Home / Herbal Medicines

Herbal Medicine: What Is Herbal Medicine and Is It Safe?

March 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by Healing Headquarters, LLC

Herbal Medicine is a form of alternative medicine based on the use of plants in the form of herbal supplements, raw herbs, herbal extracts, herbal tinctures, and other herbal remedies such as tablets, ointments, and capsules. Herbal medicine use is on the rise. Many health enthusiasts are turning to this natural, plant-based form of medicine as opposed to the chemical, pharmaceutical choice. A natural form of medicine, herbal medicine is the most ancient form of medicine on the planet. Many modern day prescriptions and conventional medicines are based on a form of herbal medicine.

What Is Herbal Medicine?Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease. Oftentimes called herbalism, herbology, or botanical medicine, herbal medicine is considered ‘alternative’ in the modern day, though it has an extensive and esteemed history. Many herbalists use the entire plant, from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, in the form of everything from teas to tablets. These plants contain natural, chemical substances that can treat the body for various ailments. The History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine dates back to prehistoric times. Primitive man used plants for everything from shelter and food, to clothing and medicine. Herbal medicine evolved over time, with observation and experimentation. Each village and tribe throughout the world observed and experimented with the natural plant world around them and developed a knowledge base of regional herbs and herbal medicines. Many of these primitive herbal experimentations hold true today, with many conventional medicines stemming from herbal origins. For instance, morphine originated from the use of the opium poppy herb, while Echinacea was the common herbal treatment to fight off infection prior to the creation of antibiotics.

Modern Day Herbal MedicineWhile some people feel that herbal remedies are an ‘alternative’ form of holistic medicine, they are actually the bases of at least one-fourth of all conventional medicines. Today, many plants are synthesized for pharmaceutical use, stemming from ancient, healing traditions of herbal medicine. If you are seeking to find a more natural and gentle form of medicine, you may want to visit a local health food store or try to find a local herbalist. Tinctures, extracts, teas, lozenges, ointments, salves, rubs, tablets, and capsules, are available at most health food stores and can be wonderful, natural alternatives to conventional medicines. If using herbal medicine it is recommended that you let you doctor know each and every herb that you ingest to prevent a reaction between the herbs and any allopathic medicines that you may be using.

About the Author

HealingHQ.com

www.healinghq.com

Jaye Drummond, editor-in-chief

Healing Headquarters LLC443 Willow RoadSuite 101Springfield, OH 45502

Email: support@healinghq.comTelephone: (888) 732-8745Facsimile: (937) 360-2652

Learn why chinese herbal medicine is so effective, a little about our website and how to find the best herbal product for you.

Related Herbal Medicines Articles

Filed Under: Herbal Medicines Tagged With: , ,

Benefits of Using Herbal Medicine

March 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by Oz Zeldom

Herbs have been used for healing purposes and to promote wellness since from the ancient times. Nowadays, herbal medicines, and health and dietary supplements are flooding the markets today. People have begun to recognize the usage of herbal medicines and natural remedies because of the numerous advantages it has. The use of herbal medicine is widespread and growing. In fact, herbs are always the alternative medicine and primary source of health care for more people in the world.

People are greatly concerned about the efficacy and side effects of many synthetic drugs, and hence choose herbal medicines for providing a safe and natural alternative treatment for many health problems. Among the many benefits in using herbal medicines, some of them are as follows:

Herbal medicines are not categorized as medicines but are treated as food as they are natural products. Herbal medicines need not be tested to prove that they work well and are safe before they are sold. Herbal medicines are even more convenient to buy. You can buy herbal medicines without a prescription. Herbal medicines are much cheaper than synthetic drugs.

The use of herbal medicines in the right way provides effective and safe treatment for many ailments. The effectiveness of the herbal medicines is mostly subjective to the patient. The potency of the herbal medicines varies based on the genetic variation of the herbs, growing conditions of the herbs, timing and method of harvesting of the herbs, exposure of the herbs to air, light and moisture, and type of preservation of the herbs.

Herbal medicines can be used for healing purposes and to promote wellness. Herbal medicines are not addictive or habit forming, but are powerful nutritional agents that support the body naturally. Herbal medicines promote health and serve as excellent healing agents without side effects. Chinese herbs are taken as tonics to enhance physical and mental well-being. Herbal medicines are safe and effective for health, healing, weight loss/gain/maintenance, etc. Herbal medicine can nourish the body’s deepest and most basic elements.

Herbal medicines are great body balancers that help regulate body functions. Natural therapies such as herbal medicines can be used to support balance process of our body. Herbal medicines offer the nutrients that the body fails to receive due to poor diet or environmental deficiencies in the soil and air.

Herbal medicines can be used to treat many diseases such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome, etc., and can be used for maintaining general health. Herbal preparations are the best when taken under the guidance of a trained professional. When used correctly, herbal medicines are considered safer than conventional medications.

Though herbal medicines have so many advantages, herbal medicines does not necessarily mean safe for you always. Many natural substances and herbal medicines can be harmful if taken in over doses or if used wrongly. More over, herbal medicines may not be pure sometimes. Unregulated, herbal products may be mislabeled and may contain undeclared additives and adulterants. They may also include other things such as plant pollen or contaminants that could make you sick. Hence, it is always wise to consult with your doctor first before taking your herbal medications. Testing and standardized manufacturing of herbal medicines and supplements is needed, in order to have the full benefits of herbal medicines. Researches reveal that all herbal medicines should be stopped 2 weeks before any surgery.

About the Author

oz zeldom is an expert author, who is presently working on the sitemedical reference, medical information. for more information about medical symptoms visite our site http://www.healthon.com

Find More Herbal Medicines Articles

Filed Under: Herbal Medicines Tagged With: , , ,

Different Herbal Medicines for Diabetes

March 24, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Article by herbal Cures

Over the ages, herbal medicines have been proven to treat diabetes and have numerous other uses in modern times.

Insulin rich substances are found in a number of plants and other species. What follows is a short yet descriptive review of various plants rich in diabetes substances and the process that of interaction in order to better understand it.

Remember that individual persons have different health related issues and constitution, so is true with how herbs, medication and other elements interact. If you are planning to take the alternative herbal medication, you are advised to seek the opinion from medical authorities specifically those with competent knowledge about these.

Among the many herbal alternatives, here’s a review of some few:

1. European blueberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus) This is also known as bilberry. You may take 2-3 handful of leaves of this plant, soak in four cups of hot water for an hour. The leaves of this plant are known to be rich in natural sugar lowering action as stressed by traditional herbal medicine. Three cups of the concoction everyday will help you see result fast. Lately, it has been learned that berries or their extract bring more benefit to our health.

2. American Ginseng (Panax Ginseng) Both animals and human studies conducted in 1985 have shown that this plant is rich in saponin that has shown hypoglycemic effect and increases the production of insulin. A separate study also shows American Ginseng to have successfully prevented type II diabetes blood sugar level from elevating.

3. Bitter Melon (Momordia Charantia) a study conducted in 2003 which was published in Americal Journal of Health-System Pharmacy showed hypoglycemic effect of this plant and is said to be more potent compared to Tolbutamide, a well known hypoglycemic drug. This is because of the active ingredient called charantin. Commonly found in India, Philippines, Malaysia and Australia, this herb can be served in various forms: sautéed, steamed or salad. Added to that, its juice, tea and dried herb are proven effective in maintaining blood sugar level.

4. Gynmena (Gymnema Sylvestre) The tropical forest of India is rich with this plant, it is proven effective in the reduction of glucose in the blood and aid restore pancreatic cell damage. The leaves of these plants are known to effectively increase blood insulin levels. Potential extract preparation may contain 300 mg of this herb’s active ingredient, the charantin.

5. Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) Some tests have shown that this heb brings more benefit to animal and human types of diabetes and recorded to have anti-diabetic effects. The 15 g of powdered fenugreek seed, soaked in water have considerably reduced the level of after meal blood glucose and has proven its lipid lowering action. It is also potential to lower insulin resistance and improves lowering of blood sugar in type II diabetes.

6. Crepe Myrtle (Lagerstroemia Speciosa) According to tradition, this herb is used to treat diabetes in Asia, and have shown very promising results. However, there is a need for further studies in order to establish its safety and efficacy for long term use.

7. Holy Basil ( Ocimum Sanctum) This herb has significantly demonstrated 17.6% decrease in blood glucose, lower blood levels, cholesterol and triglycerides, studies revealed. This led to the conclusion that Holy Basil is proven potential remedy for mild to moderate diabetes. What is more about this herb is, it is simply and often served in the form of tea.

We have just named some of the most popular herbs that have proven effective in lowering blood sugar. Other herbs such aloe vera, psillium, cinnamon, garlic, Asian ginseng and salt bunch may also have the capacity to reduce blood glucose and other diabetes related disease.

The various discoveries of herbal alternatives is something to be happy about yet it is still important to seek the guidance of medical experts especially when using pharmaceutical products because they may have ill effects. It is also equally important to consider taking in of healthy food, regular exercise in our goal of attaining a healthy sugar levels.

Visit herbalhealthcure.com.

About the Author

this article is courtesy http://www.herbalhealthcure.com

Filed Under: Herbal Medicines Tagged With: , , ,