TABLE OF CONTENTS
Conventional Cures VS
Natural Herbal Cures
The Alternative Cure
Advantage
Natural Herbs
Herbology
Alternative Natural
Herbal Cures
Herbal Medicinal Cures
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Different Types of
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Diet Supplements
Advantages of Herbal
Diet Supplements
Are Their Any Side
Effects To Natural Cures?
Ayurveda
Natural Skin Remedies
Herbal Acne Remedies
Natural Herbal Recipe
Conventional Cures VS Natural Herbal Cure
According to the
American Medical Association Journal, over 100,000 Americans die in hospitals
every year due to side effects from regularly prescribed medications.
Throughout America,
a huge amount of medication is prescribed on a daily basis. The medical
community openly acknowledges that fact that it does not have any cure for
several common diseases that affect people.
Most allopathic medicines
have side effects that can range from mild to severe. The reason for this is
that most of these chemicals have certain toxic properties. This is why there
have been so many prescription drugs that got pulled from the market after
enjoying several years of FDA approval.
The sad thing is that
very few doctors nowadays bother to inform patients about possible side effects
due to close and cozy relationships with the pharmaceutical industries.
Half of the truth is
that pharmaceutical companies will only tell doctors as much as they want to
and not reveal the complete picture. Therefore, the doctors are not completely
to blame because they cannot warn patients against side effects of chemicals
they are not aware of.
The trouble is that
the business is so profitable is that these medicine manufacturers are more
concerned with profits and FDA approval rather than the overall effect on the
patients.
This is one reason
why several doctors are now beginning to recommend complementary alternative
treatments, like herbal therapies and medicines.
Here are some
interesting facts:
·
The totally amount of
annual profits made by pharmaceutical companies through sale of drugs in the United States
alone is over $100 billion
·
More than 25% of all
prescription drugs available contain plant derivatives
·
More than 80,000
types of plants are used all over the world for medicinal purposes
·
Over 75% of the
global population depends on herbal remedies for regular treatment
There are several
choices available for people who are looking for alternative remedies,
including Acupuncture, Yoga, Qigong, Tai chi, Ayurveda, hydrotherapy, massage
therapy, homeopathy, energy medicines, holistic approaches, and aromatherapy. In fact, the number of herbal remedies available
for different ailments equals (if not exceeds) the number of regular drug
treatments provided by pharmaceutical companies.
The point is that
prevention always was and always will be better than any cure, mainstream or
alternative. The advantage of herbal remedies is that they move an individual
towards a lifestyle more geared toward prevention and cure in the early stages
of any affliction.
Pharmaceutical drugs
work only after the problem has development, they do not try to prevent
problems because then the manufacturing companies would go into a loss.
This is where herbal remedies leave the mainstream drugs behind. This is also the reason why so many people are daily turning to herbal therapies.
Herbal remedies treat
the cause of the disease and not the symptoms (like conventional drugs). Herbal
remedies also have almost no side effects.
The
Alternative Cure Advantage:
Alternative medicine believes
that natural health is a consequence of a variety of different sources
coming together. Thus it chooses the best from various options available, in
order to provide good health. It does so by building the strong points,
preventing the weak ones, and generally dictating a lifestyle that is naturally
healthy. Alternative medicine branches that promote natural good health
include herbalism, natural hygiene, naturotherapy, and nutripathy. Nowadays it
has become common to provide these, as complementary therapies to conventional
methods of treatment. Terms like alternative medicine and natural health always
seem to get associated with the Far East. It
should be noted that most of the core concepts behind natural health are of
European origin.
In the old age the only health
care that was available to the common man was self care. While medical science
existed in a very rudimentary state, it was by no means as prolific as it is
today. Most of the “doctors” in that era were referred to as “folk healers”
(people who heal other people) and their medical qualification was nothing more
than a short apprenticeship under some sort of superior.
At the time of the Revolutionary War, practicing
the art of medicinal healing was looked upon as a diversion, something to
dabble in when you had time to spare. It was supposed to be something that an
individual did when not doing a regular job. Folk remedies were handed down
from one generation to the next. Men and women who had learned these remedies
simply applied them to everyday life like their predecessors. In this way,
matters like childbirth, injuries, and illness were taken care of.
Geographical distance and
biological diversity naturally made these folk remedies different in different
places. So, while the roots of such healing can be traced to Europe, once they
had been adapted to the Americas,
they were not so readily recognizable.
In 1830, Frances Wright and other reformers and
activists started the Popular Health Movement. This was a period when advances
in medical science were forcing contemporary doctors to think in terms that
would have been sacrilegious to their elders. Frustrated by these new
developments, proponents of the Popular Health Movement sought to enforce the
usage of older methods into the practice of modern medical professionals. While
some good has resulted (in the long run and with the help of understanding provided
by modern research), it has to be admitted that the Popular Health Movement
also caused some medical blunders.
Some natural health concepts that arose as a
result of the Popular Health Movement are: Hydrotherapy, Herbalism, Eclectic
Medicine, and Natural Hygiene.
Thomsonianism is one of the earliest approaches
to modern western herbalism and it was founded by Samuel Thompson around the
year 1820.
The Association of Eclectic Physicians, an
organization of herbals doctors, was found in Wooster Beech.
At its very height, eclecticism was practiced by over twenty thousand qualified doctors in the United States. By 1939, medical schools were being largely influenced by philanthropists, and when these schools failed to support eclecticism, it slowly died out.
At its very height, eclecticism was practiced by over twenty thousand qualified doctors in the United States. By 1939, medical schools were being largely influenced by philanthropists, and when these schools failed to support eclecticism, it slowly died out.
Hydrotherapy was another branch of natural
health and it concerned itself with the application of water to the human body.
Though using only water as means of staying healthy might sound a bit silly,
for that time period it was a good thing. Hydrotherapy advocates were very
vocal about the importance of personal habits such as diet, dress, clean water,
fresh air, exercise, sunshine, and herbs. Personal hygiene as it is followed
today was not always such an important issue. Hydrotherapy was conveying a very
important message. Origins of hydrotherapy can be traced back to Europe in the Roman era when spas and hot mineral springs
were a common way for people to cleanse their bodies.
The European system of hydrotherapy was first
introduced to the United States
in 1844 by the founder of Natural Hygiene, Dr. Joel Shew. Dr. Shew later on
enhanced hydrotherapy by focusing on its other aspects like fresh air, lots of
sunshine, a good diet plan, and an exercise routine. In 1853 he established the
college of Hygieo Therapy.
The American Natural Hygiene Society was
founded in 1948. Eventually, hydrotherapy had to give way to allopathy.
This was largely brought about by the fact that the people supporting allopathy
viewed hydrotherapy as a science of quacks because hydrotherapy was so closely
associated with the female social activists of that era.
The core belief of natural health therapy is
that all issues related to health, sickness, and healing can be overcome
through simple means like prevention and a change in individual lifestyle.
Natural health follows the oldest rule of medicine: prevention is better than
cure. In view of this, natural health therapies are supposed to be totally in
control of the individual and not the doctor or healer.
The “natural” in the term natural health
literally refers to the physical world in which we live, or nature. This is but
another way of saying that according to natural health therapy all disease and
illness is nothing more than a natural reaction to some other natural action.
It is important to remember that natural health does not have anything to do
with faith or psychic healing which are supernatural concepts and hence,
By definition, not part of nature. This
difference is also the biggest distinguishing factor between natural health
therapies of European origin and Eastern alternative medicinal theories that
often rely on belief systems such as spirituality, karma, ancestral forces,
personal auras, or energy flows. None of these can be perceived by our normal
senses and hence the Europe-born natural health theories do not subscribe to
them.
Going even further, natural health does not
concern itself with the origin of life, any religious beliefs,
extra-dimensional worlds, magic, and new age mysticism.
All natural health says is that all health and sickness can be affected by simple natural therapies.
All natural health says is that all health and sickness can be affected by simple natural therapies.
At its most basic level it can be said that
natural health therapy refers to only one thing: biological factors of health,
especially as they apply to everyday life in western society. In its early
history, the natural health movement did show considerable interest in
hydrotherapy and the relaxation it offered through the usage of spas, steam
baths, and other water cures. The more modern additions to natural health that
concern themselves with the body-mind connection and how that relates to stress
and tension are influenced by eastern alternative medical theories.
Having said that, what natural health therapy
finally implies is that the human body has complete capacity to heal itself
from most forms of sickness (of course, a broken bone cannot be fixed by
altering your lifestyle, it needs to be put in a cast), mostly through
prevention. So as far as natural health thinking goes, all healing is basically
self-healing and this is considered to be a basic property of all things
alive.
Vitalism
It is to be observed that as early 400 B.C.,
Hippocrates (who is considered to be the father of medicine) had written that,
“the natural healing force within us is the greatest force in getting well”.
This is known as vitalism, also known as 'vis medicatrix naturae' (the inherent wisdom of the body).
To put it simply, whenever there is something
wrong with the body the doctor will attempt something, for example: using
antibiotics to kill the infection, perform surgery to remove a poisoned part or
for amputation, put a broken bone into a cast, suture a flesh wound. All of
these are part of the healing trade. The catch is that the body of patient has
to actively respond to all this treatment otherwise it is wasted. Vitalism
makes the body want to heal and get well. This is a well documented fact that
people who deal with their physical problems confidently and cheerfully heal
faster than others. The precise reason as to why this happens is not understood
but the fact is still undeniable.
Holism
One explanation comes from the concept of Holism
which says that the process of healing is a combined effort by the entire
organism and cannot be achieved by any isolated part of that organism.
The Holism concept can be traced to the time of
Paracelsus, 1439-1541, who is credited with being the father of modern
medicine. When Paracelsus treated patients he refused to pay attention to only
that part which was showing symptoms of disease. Instead, he tried to treat the
whole body as one whole entity.
Holism is not a symptom=cure sort of healing
technique. It involves a careful study of the defensive abilities of each
individual patient's body. Practitioners have to have the knowledge to
differentiate between disease symptoms and the defensive or recovery
systems.
What Holism believes is that when someone falls
sick, their whole body has undergone some kind of weakness and has lost the
balance of its strength. So the solution is to simply restore the strength of
the body.
All western natural health therapies rely on
biological factors and the better developed psychosocial approaches are a
modern addition.
Individualism
This concept is different in the sense that it
places all responsibility for sickness and good health on every individual in a
society. So everyone is responsible for their personal health.
Individualism results from an awareness of the
importance of individuals in a community and the resulting virtues of
self-reliance and personal independence. Well-rounded individuals are both
self-reliant and independent.
Victim-blaming
What this means is that if someone gets sick
then the victim of the sickness did something wrong. While it might sound a
little weird what it honestly means is that personal health is a personal
responsibility and no one can blame someone or something else for his or her
illness. It focuses on the self. Improve yourself because the environment
around you is too big to change for one individual. In other words, health problems
should be self corrected and the obvious solution is a change in the victim's
lifestyle.
Prevention
This is probably the most difficult concept for
the modern day individual to grasp. Though everyone is aware of the phrase
'prevention is better than cure' there are few people who actually go the
extent of preventing even the most obvious trouble (think about smoking,
alcohol, high cholesterol foods, sugar, etc.). Prevention does not merely
suggest that troublesome activities should be avoided. What is says is that
improving health is better than fighting disease. It suggests the application
of this to short term as well as long term negative effects. In the short term,
a healthy body can easily ward off minor illnesses (like common cold) and
injuries (razor cuts, skin peeling during sports activities for instance). In
the long term prevention suggests caution in all that is done today so that it
does not result in adverse outcomes in the future. In other words, it too
suggests a change in lifestyle for a healthier tomorrow.
Reasonably good health can be achieved by
everyone. What is even better that the means to do so do not have to acquired
from anyone, the capacity to do so lies within us.
The next few pages focus exclusively on herbs
and subsequently on natural herbal cures.
Natural
Herbs
Any plant that is grown for culinary, medicinal,
or in some cases even spiritual value is called an herb. It is common practice
that, from an herb plant only the green and leafy parts are used. The culinary
usages are obviously different from the medicinal uses, in fact, it is often
the case that the properties of culinary and medicinal herbs are entirely
different to be found in the same plant. For example, medicinal herbs usually
tend to be shrubs or woody plants. Culinary herbs, on the other hand, are
typically more leafy and soft.
Interestingly, the seeds, berries, bark, root, or other parts of a herbal plant make great spices. These plants also bear edible fruits or vegetables.
Interestingly, the seeds, berries, bark, root, or other parts of a herbal plant make great spices. These plants also bear edible fruits or vegetables.
Culinary herbs are different from other
vegetables in the sense that they are not the primary objects to be cooked or
consumed. Instead, they are used to provide flavor when used as spices.
Botanical definitions
Botanical science defines a herb as a plant that
does not produce a woody stem. It usually dies in temperate climates. Death can
be complete in case of annual herbs or the herb can simply go back to its roots
in case of perennial herbs.
Examples of herbs include: bulbs, peonies,
hosta, grasses, and banana.
The botanical term herbaceous means a plant
having the characteristic of a herb or being leaf-like in color and
texture.
Herbalism
Herbalism is also known as phytotherapy. It is a
very old folk medicine that is based on the use of plants and plant extracts.
Human beings have been looking for healing powers in the vegetable kingdom for
a long time. There are innumerable types of indigenous plants that have been
used by people for centuries in the treatment of many ailments. The history of
such usage is long and well documented. Evidence has been found that sixty
thousand years ago the Neanderthals living in present day Iraq used
plants as medicines.
Radiocarbon dating of the Lascaux caves in France has
revealed that cave paintings dated between 13000-25000 BCE displays the use of
plants as healing agents.
It must be appreciated that our forefathers
spent several centuries slowly building upon the knowledge of their own
predecessors to arrive at proper medical conclusions. It took many
generations of trial and error to expand this knowledge base. The individuals
who took upon themselves the task of following this line of reasoning and
medical discovery are whom we today remember as “healers” or “Shaman”.
An interesting aspect of plants is their
seemingly infinite ability to synthesize aromatic substances like phenols and
tannins. Plants also evolve alkaloids that serve as defense mechanisms against
predatory microorganisms, insects, and herbivores. Plants and chemicals have a
strong and historical relationship going back to several hundred millions of
years. The chemical interactions in a plant's metabolism, offense, and defense
procedures is very complex. Human beings have found that many herbs and species
that are used in seasoning of good often yielded useful medical compounds.
In recent years plants have once again come into
the foreground as the search for new drugs and dietary supplements have led
researchers back into the plant kingdom. Pharmacologists, microbiologists,
botanists, and natural product chemists are literally going through the entire
roster of plant species with a fine toothed comb looking for phytochemicals
that could lead to the development of cures for several types of diseases.
Already there are many drugs on the market that have been derived from plants.
Herbal treatment of diseases is nearly universal
in all non-industrialized societies. Since they do not have the resources to
set up pharmaceutical industries and are quite likely to be too impoverished to
purchase modern day drugs, it should not be surprising that they rely on plants
that they can grown to fight off illness.
In western society, the use of herbal medicine can be contributed to the cumulation of several traditions over a long stretch of time, finally culminating at the end of the twentieth century. Some of these influences are based on ancient Greek and Rome, the Ayurvedic principles from India, and Chinese herbal medicines.
In western society, the use of herbal medicine can be contributed to the cumulation of several traditions over a long stretch of time, finally culminating at the end of the twentieth century. Some of these influences are based on ancient Greek and Rome, the Ayurvedic principles from India, and Chinese herbal medicines.
Some very common plant based pharmaceuticals
that have been used by western physicians include opium, aspirin, digitalis,
and quinine.
Background
In any living organism, chemical reactions
define the metabolism rate and control normal metabolic activities. Some of
these chemicals are known as primary metabolites (sugar and fat) and are found
in nearly all plants. Chemicals known as secondary metabolites are found in a
limited number of plants. The functions of secondary metabolites can be very
different. They could be used to produce alkaloids (poisons) for defense or to
attract insects to enhance pollination.
Most of the therapeutic chemicals derived from plants as well plant-based modern drugs rely on the secondary metabolite chemicals in plants. A few examples are: inulin (roots of the plant dahlias), quinine (from cinchona), morphine and codeine (from poppy), and digoxin (from foxglove).
Most of the therapeutic chemicals derived from plants as well plant-based modern drugs rely on the secondary metabolite chemicals in plants. A few examples are: inulin (roots of the plant dahlias), quinine (from cinchona), morphine and codeine (from poppy), and digoxin (from foxglove).
The National
Center for Complementary
and Alternative Medicine has started to fund clinical trials to improve the
medical world's understanding of herbal medicine.
Popularity
In May 2004, the National Center
for Complementary and Alternative Medicine conducted a survey. The focus of
this survey was on people who had used Complementary and Alternative Medicines
(CAM), what particular types of treatments were used, and why did the people
choose for the complementary medicine option.
The results of this survey indicated that, with
the exclusion of prayer, herbal therapy (or the use of natural products besides
vitamins and minerals) was the highest used complementary and alternative
medicine. 18.9% opted for herbal therapy over all other forms of complementary
and alternative medicines.
Here are a few samples of medicines used in
herbal therapy.
·
A variety of plants (including artichoke) help
to reduce the total serum cholesterol levels.
·
Plants like black cohosh (and others that
contain phytoestrogens or active estrogen) have proven effective in treating
symptoms of menopause
·
A limited number of studies have reported that
the average length of common cold can be reduced by using echinacea extracts.
·
Garlic is a herb that provides multiple benefits
like lowering of cholesterol levels, lowering blood pressures, and reducing
platelet aggregation.
·
Another highly diverse medicinal plant is black
cumin (nigella sativa). Common ailments that can be cured using black cumin
include: cough, pulmonary infections, asthma, influenza, allergy, hypertension,
and stomachache. The seeds of black cumin are classified as carminative,
stimulant, diuretic, and galactogogue. Seed powder or oil from black cumin can
be applied externally in case of skin eruptions.
Digestive
tract problems including irritable bowel syndrome and nausea can be relieved by
drinking peppermint tea.
·
Rauvolfa serpentina is one of the oldest and
most widely used herbs in India.
It is applied for treating problems like insomnia, anxiety, and hypertension.
This herb is also the foundation for the first plant based allopathic drug that
was developed to combat high blood pressure.
·
In some clinical trials it has been discovered
that St. John's
wort, a most dangerous chemical, can be highly effective in cases of mild to
moderate depression
·
Another plant root that can be used in the
treatment of sleeplessness is valerian.
Dangers
All modern pharmaceutical drugs need to be
prescribed due to dangers of side effects or allergic reactions, or possibly
reaction with other drugs. This has resulted in the development of a myth
about natural products, including herbalism, that has spread far and wide. The
myth goes that natural products are safe. Or, anyone can take them without
consulting an expert and they will do no harm.
In the end, whatever we extract from plants, spices of curative agents, we are dealing with chemicals. Over centuries the defense system of plants has led them to produce some very lethal chemicals. There are innocent looking plants that can give an adult nausea if a single leaf is smelled close closely. A small nibble of the same leaf by an infant can be fatal.
Fortunately, most such plants are found deep in the forests where predators other than man are a threat. Still, there are milder forms of toxins in plants much closer to us and even these can be lethal if caution is found lacking. For example, hemlock and nightshade are two plants that can prove to be fatal through carelessness.
In the end, whatever we extract from plants, spices of curative agents, we are dealing with chemicals. Over centuries the defense system of plants has led them to produce some very lethal chemicals. There are innocent looking plants that can give an adult nausea if a single leaf is smelled close closely. A small nibble of the same leaf by an infant can be fatal.
Fortunately, most such plants are found deep in the forests where predators other than man are a threat. Still, there are milder forms of toxins in plants much closer to us and even these can be lethal if caution is found lacking. For example, hemlock and nightshade are two plants that can prove to be fatal through carelessness.
Also to be remembered is the fact that plants or
herbal remedies are as likely to cause side effects and allergic reactions as
other pharmaceutical drugs. However, these problems usually result from
improper dosage and impurities.
Another danger is taking herbal remedies with conventional drugs when both perform the same task. In that case the cumulative effect will surely result in an overdose.
Another danger is taking herbal remedies with conventional drugs when both perform the same task. In that case the cumulative effect will surely result in an overdose.
Effectiveness
Scientific studies provide indisputable evidence
that the herbals extracts from plants can not only cure but also prevent certain
types of diseases. Further evidence of the benefits of herbal medicine can be
found in the fact that there are many modern pharmaceutical drugs available
that use plant extracts.
The need for caution comes in when reading the
advertisements and other marketing materials for alternative medicines, even if
they are plant based, 100% natural and completely safe. There are no products
on the market that will advertise boldly that they might not be effective in
some cases. That sort of statement is usually hidden in the small print.
That should not be criteria when choosing an alternative medication. There are cases where scientific studies have shown that people receive none of the medical benefits that the product claims to deliver. There are many alternative medicines on the market that have not undergone any sort of testing whatsoever.
That should not be criteria when choosing an alternative medication. There are cases where scientific studies have shown that people receive none of the medical benefits that the product claims to deliver. There are many alternative medicines on the market that have not undergone any sort of testing whatsoever.
The importance of scientific testing becomes
apparent when you consider that these old-age natural therapy concepts were
developed when there were no scientific controls and no test procedures. If
someone wanted to try out a new herb, the easiest way for to try it on
themselves first. Secondly, the human mind was not as well understood as it is
today. For example, modern controls can easily make out the difference between a
placebo effect, the body's ability to heal itself through its immune system,
and the actual practical benefits of herbs.
Without this understanding any herb, whether
beneficial or not, can be made to look like a life saver.
Scientific investigation also helps to reveal the precise nature and structure of the chemicals in an herb. Which chemicals do what. How to they react with blood and other internal organs. What chemical combines where to produce what compound – finally resulting in a cure or relief. These are important facets of scientific testing that were not available in the days when herbal traditions were being established. Most knowledge in those days was anecdotal and based on personal experience. Humanity and especially the medical workers know better today.
Scientific investigation also helps to reveal the precise nature and structure of the chemicals in an herb. Which chemicals do what. How to they react with blood and other internal organs. What chemical combines where to produce what compound – finally resulting in a cure or relief. These are important facets of scientific testing that were not available in the days when herbal traditions were being established. Most knowledge in those days was anecdotal and based on personal experience. Humanity and especially the medical workers know better today.
It is always prudent to choose a medical
treatment that has been proven safe and effective. It is possible for people to
get so influenced by the natural healing movement that they will abandon
conventional medicine altogether. Avoid falling into this trap. Herbal
therapies have just begun to be studied scientifically and until proven safe
and sound should only be used as complementary alternative medicines, not the
main treatment.
The chemical composition of a lot of herbs is
still not known so there is always the standing danger of violent reaction to
an alkaloid. Do not underestimate this.
Standards
Different countries allot different legal status
to different herbal ingredients. For example, ayurveda, the alternative
medicine therapy from India
believes that heavy metals are therapeutic. The United States however believes that
high levels of heavy metals are actually unsafe for normal consumption. So
ayurvedic medicines are not granted the same status as regular drugs and they
are certainly not FDA approved.
Like other non-FDA-approved health products, ayurvedic drugs are sold in the United States as dietary supplements and not medicines. This is merely an evasion because as per American laws, supplements do not need to be tested for safety or effectiveness. In some cases even quality control of the active ingredients can be inadequate.
Usage
If you intend to use herbal remedies then it is
always advisable to first have a detailed and frank discussion with your
doctor. Keep in mind that herbal remedies can cause adverse reactions just like
conventional drugs. This risk is augmented when herbal remedies are taken in
combination with prescription or over the counter drugs. For example, if you
are taking medication for hypertension (these medicines lower blood pressure)
and at the same time you take a herbal supplement with the same affect, there
is a very high risk possibility of blood pressure dropping dangerously.
There are also many supplements available that might contain herbs, which are to be strictly avoided during pregnancy.
There are also many supplements available that might contain herbs, which are to be strictly avoided during pregnancy.
Herbology
Herbology is the name given to the Chinese
method of combining medicinal herbs. In this technique, which is one of the
most widely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), every herbal medicine
is actually a cocktail of several herbs that are customized to individual
patients. The doctor will assess the yin/yang condition of a patient in
addition to studying the symptoms of the ailment.
The preparation of the medicine begins with the use of or two main herbs that target the ailment. The other herbs are added in order to adjust the yin/yang condition. Other ingredients can be added to cancel out toxicity or side effects resulting from the main herbs.
This sort of herbal mixing to arrive at a formula that is suitable to individual needs is not easy. A lot of experience and tutelage is required before a practicing of traditional Chinese medicine can perform the mixing independently.
The preparation of the medicine begins with the use of or two main herbs that target the ailment. The other herbs are added in order to adjust the yin/yang condition. Other ingredients can be added to cancel out toxicity or side effects resulting from the main herbs.
This sort of herbal mixing to arrive at a formula that is suitable to individual needs is not easy. A lot of experience and tutelage is required before a practicing of traditional Chinese medicine can perform the mixing independently.
An important difference between traditional Chinese
medicine and modern drugs is that the balance and chemical interaction of the
ingredients a formula is considered more important than the individual
ingredients.
Another quirk in Chinese herbology is that while
it may be called herbology it will use all parts of a plant including: leaf,
stem, flower, root. In fact, some remedies will also use ingredients derived
from animals and minerals. This has caused quite a bit of controversy because
sometimes traditional Chinese medicine can call for ingredient from animals
that are declared as endangered species (seahorses, rhinoceros, tigers,
etc.).
Shennong is usually considered to be the first
Chinese herbalist. It is said that Shennong tasted hundreds of herbs and
experimented with them before passing on his knowledge of medicinal and
poisonous plants to the farmers of China. He also wrote the first
Chinese manual on pharmacology: the Shennong Bencao Jing. This manual lists
approximately 365 medicines out of which 252 are herbal. The manual is dated
around the 1st century Han dynasty.
One of the most important of such documents that
were written by several master practitioners of Chinese herbology is the Bencao
Gangmu. It was put together by Li Shizhen during the Ming dynasty. The contents
of Bencao Gangmu are so potent that even today they are used for consultation
and reference.
Classification of Chinese herbs is in itself a
very intricate process. Very broadly speaking, Chinese herbs are classified
using methods such as those described below.
The
Four Natures
The four natures are basically the yin and yang
states and how effective a herbal medication is in bringing them into balance.
Yin and yang degrees can range from cold (extreme yin), cool, neutral (warm),
or hot (extreme yang). Before selecting herbs the doctor will make a careful
study of the yin/yang balance in a patient. So if the patient has “internal
cold” then an herb that has a “hot” yang value will be used and so on.
The
Five Tastes
Some herbs are identified by their taste. While
the taste in itself has no medicinal value in the absence of a better yardstick
Chinese medicine associates the taste associated with an herb to the final
effect. These five tastes are pungent, sweet, sour, bitter, and salty. Each
taste has its own function. Pungent herbs are used to increase sweating,
vitalizing blood and Qi. Sweet herbs are used to tone and harmonize body
systems. Other sweet herbs help in curing excessive dampness by way of
diuresis. Sour taste is meant to be astringent. Bitter tasting herbs help the
body get rid of excess heat, empty the bowels, and reduce dampness by causing
dryness. Salty herbs can help to soften up hard masses.
The
Meridians
Meridians do not have anything to do with the
Earth's meridians or magnetism. What they refer to is the precise organ that
the chemicals in a herb target. So menthol which is pungent and cool is
associated with lungs and liver. This means that since lungs are the organs
that protect the body from cold and influenza the use of menthol can help to
get rid of coldness in the lungs and also resist heat toxins.
Alternative
Natural Herbal Cures
Herbs today are being increasing used to treat
all kinds of disorders. From mild cases like common cold to serious diseases
like cancer, there is an ever growing need for genuine and well tested
information regarding herbal cures.
The information, in a rudimentary way, has already been gathered for us a long time ago. While most of this knowledge precedes modern scientific thinking, the integration of the two needs careful execution.
Long past civilizations in places like the Indus valley (in the Indian subcontinent) have left us
with many concepts like holistic approach, righteous living, yoga, meditation,
etc. As far as medicine goes, from the same location appeared Ayurveda that
defined proper diagnosis and herbal cures for several diseases.
Thanks to the Internet and the world wide web
there is practically no limit to the number of websites that are busy claiming
that they have managed to master age old secrets or discovered some long lost
magic cure to end all human suffering. There are also some saner websites that
are more lucid and honest about their claims. However, there are no proper
medical outlets for these cures. They are all businesses with the only objective
of making profits. This makes it very difficult for the average person to know
whom they can trust when considering herbal remedies.
Sadly, due to the misguided media propagation of
herbal medicines there is a gold rush of sorts that involves people who wish to
capitalize on the growing popularity of herbal medicines and supplements with
no regard as to its scientific or personal implications.
This immoral approach has in turn brought a lot of negative publicity for herbal treatment as the voice of genuine scientists is drowned in the fraudulent claims of businesses. Hydrotherapy was a good idea but how can anyone take it seriously when it is so closely associated with sale of “colored water”?
This immoral approach has in turn brought a lot of negative publicity for herbal treatment as the voice of genuine scientists is drowned in the fraudulent claims of businesses. Hydrotherapy was a good idea but how can anyone take it seriously when it is so closely associated with sale of “colored water”?
If you have been brought to cultivate a negative
image of herbal medicine then try to remember a simple thing. Medical science
is several thousand years old and while there have been several blunders in
that time, herbal medication has been helping people through countless
generations. There are genuine herbal cures out there. Do not give in to the
advertised products but speak to your doctor.
Herbal
Medicine Cures
One of the oldest forms of health care that has
been with humanity is herbal medicine. All over the world, across several
cultures, history is rife with evidence that our predecessors used herbs for
medicinal purposes. This should not come as a surprise because herbs, unlike
modern medicine, are usually safe and do not involve as many side
effects.
The late twentieth century saw a reemergence of
herbal remedies with the popular of herb-based medications increasing
dramatically. More and more hospitals are now offering herbal remedies as
complementary alternative treatments with conventional medicines. With this
increase in public acceptance of herbal remedies, it has become imperative to
conduct studies that can help medical science to understand how herbal medicine
works by interacting chemically with our internal bodily functions.
Though it is normally true that herbs and
medications derived from them produce fewer side effects than many allopathic
medicines taken for similar symptoms, it is important to remember that even
plants contain certain chemicals that can produce toxicity after long-term use.
Also, while plant based medicines are usually safe even they can be abused.
Unlike allopathic medicines that have trouble staying in the body for extended
periods, herbal chemicals can create residues in the body and over a long time
this slow poisoning can lead to sickness that cannot be diagnosed or even
death.
Just like other medications and food supplements
there is always the condition and body type of the individual to be considered
before prescribing anything. Many health conditions and complications make it
necessary for people with those problems to avoid certain types of herbal
medicine.
Ask any doctor, they will tell you that it is a
very bad and risky idea to mix medications. In certain cases, this applies to
herbal medicines as well. They should never be mixed with other herbs (or
extracts) and medications. When hospitals offer herbal therapies as
complimentary alternative treatments they make certain that the reaction of the
herbs will not conflict with the main course of medication administered. This
is not something you should mix and match at home. Consult your doctor before
making a medicinal cocktail. Obviously, should you notice any symptoms that
ring your internal warning bell, please rush to your doctor immediately.
One of the things that people often do wrong is
attempt to self-diagnose minor ailments. This is a classic medical trap that
most medical students learn very early. Symptoms are so easy to misread that it
is common for people to assume that the minor problem they have is actually
some serious, life threatening issue. Conversely, bad reading of serious
symptoms as being related to some minor problem instead of the real thing is
equally dangerous. Do not attempt to self-diagnose if you are not from a
medical background and even then, be very careful.
Trying a treatment without understanding the
problem will most likely create a whole slew of problems that you never had
before.
Do not assume that just because you are taking
herbs then it does not matter because they will not harm you anyway.
Precautions are necessary even with relatively harmless medications.
Since herbal medicines have not been properly
scrutinized, the values attributed to them are based on broad generalized
descriptions that originated thousands of years ago. Ancient texts explain a
lot of things but do not actually tell us how herbal medicine works. We just
know through experience and observation that they do. In light of this, it
becomes difficult to determine beforehand certain medicinal puzzles like:
·
What can be the possible side effects
·
What internal complications/medication conflicts
can create problems
·
What is the maximum and minimum range for a safe
dose for a specific patient
·
How many different herbs should be there in each
dose
·
How does a patient or healer know that an
overdose has happened
It
is impossible to know how safe a particular herbal mixture is unless you know
precisely the exact contents of the mixture along with a breakdown in terms of
the number of herbs and the proportional content of each herb. Simply taking
too much of it in the hopes that things will work out for the best is a
dangerous choice to follow because of certain toxic side effects of the
chemicals in herbal medicines.
Certain cases were reported in the past where a
lack of understanding, like the points listed above, or worse, an overwhelming
underestimation of the potency of herbal medicines had caused the medical
conditions of people to worsen by several degrees. Some of these people
underwent hospitalized, not for their original ailment but just to treat the
side effects of improperly administered herbal medicine. Thanks to the modern
media hype surrounding natural products as opposed to industrially manufactured
ones, there has developed a tendency for developed nations to think that
"natural" and "safe" are synonymous. They are nothing of
the sort and it would be prudent to avoid that particular confusion.
All this should not discourage you or cause you
to look at herbal medicine as something practiced by quacks and fraught with
danger. As mentioned earlier, this healing technique has been around for a
long, long time and has mostly benefited humanity. When there has been a
problem, it has been due to incompetent judgment on part of the healer or an
overdose by the patient. With a little care and discretion, anyone can take herbal
supplements or medicines.
Chinese
Herbal Medicine
One of the oldest cultures that carried out a
thorough study of herbs and other plant life related to human health was
ancient China.
Chinese Herbal Medicine, also referred to as CHM, went through many evolutions,
as the knowledge grew more and more refined. Remember that the nature of
illnesses that afflict humanity change over time. Over the thousands of years
that CHM was, so to speak, in development, the nature of these afflictions changed
and CHM had to change its mode of thinking and conduct more research to combat
new invasions of the human body. Chinese hospitals use all the advantages
offered by modern medicinal research and techniques while at the same time they
rely on their ages old CHM to treat many diseases and disorders.
Chinese Herbal Medicine claims that it can cure
any kind of disease. This claim is good when you consider that CHM takes the
preventative approach rather than the curative one. CHM first tries to make
sure that no disease can affect the body and in case it does, early detection
makes preventative cures possible. However, even Chinese Herbal Medicine can do
little against a problem like third-stage cancer.
After pharmaceutical drugs, a majority of the
world population uses Chinese Herbal Medicine as a first alternative. CHM also
produces fewer side effects when compared to mainstream pharmaceutical
drugs.
The duration of treatment using CHM depends on
the type of disease and its severity. Therefore, there is no predefined period
of treatment. It is customized to be shorter or longer as needed.
Some common ailments that can be treated with
the help of CHM are allergies, digestion problems, problems resulting from
respiratory tract complications, immune system disorders, many types of pains
(internal and external), psychological disorders and fallout problems, most
diseases that afflict children and infants, an assortment of gynecological
complications.
There is no particular age limit applicable to
the use of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Nor is there any restriction based on
personal constitutions. However, like any form of treatment, it is best
to know of existing symptoms and previous medical history (especially relating
to medicinal conflicts and reactions, or allergies) that need due consideration
before even a dose of CHM is prescribed. Other than that, there is no problem
in prescribing Chinese Herbal Medicine to pregnant women or women who are
breast-feeding. Of course, a lot depends on what is being prescribed.
Chinese Herbal Medicines are available in
different forms and there is the choice between traditional CHM and the
modernized versions. Some people find it difficult to adjust to the peculiar
taste of CHM but just keep at it and it will soon become acceptable.
There is no standard pricing scheme for CHM and
so you might have to fish a bit to find the right price. Also, note that
recently insurance companies have started covering herbal treatment. So if you
are into herbal medicines have yet to take out an insurance policy you might
want to investigate this possibility with your insurance provider.
One way Chinese Herbal Medicine does its magic
is by removing excess toxins from the body. This is done in many ways. One
method is the colonic dialysis therapy. This therapy is especially effective
with people who are trying to overcome addictions. While the human body gathers
toxins from all sorts of sources on a daily basis, addictions result in rapid
toxin build up in a very short time. What is worse, depending on the type of
addiction, natural toxin excretion from the body is inhibited. Colonic dialysis
therapy overcomes these inhibitions and provides a quick exit route for the
accumulated toxins. For people who are blessed enough to escape addictions the
natural toxin release mechanism is given a boost by colonic dialysis
therapy.
Currently the PLA Institute of Drug Dependence
Treatment and Rehabilitation is busy doing earnest research to study how
colonic dialysis therapy can help people who have been long-term addicts of
heroin. The primary focus of this research is to determine whether colonic
dialysis therapy helps these people to abstain from heroin and whether it can
reduce craving and the resulting withdrawal symptoms.
The doctors of the Royal
Free Hospital,
London, carried
out another scientific study of Chinese Herbal Medicine. In this study, Chinese
remedies were evaluated for the help they might offer to dermatitis patients.
About ten different types of herbs were mixed together to create the "cure"
that was being tested. This mixture was then given to forty adult patients who
had a long medical history of coping with atopic dermatitis (commonly known as
eczema). The evaluation period lasted for five months. During an eight-week
period in this study, patients were randomly given either the mixture that was
being tested or a placebo that tasted and looked just the same. This is
normally done so that patient responses can be monitored under blind
circumstances. Out of the forty patients, thirty-one stayed through the entire
course of the study and they all displayed continuous and rapid improvement in
erythema (redness of skin caused by eczema). Obviously, the study concluded
that Chinese Herbal Medicine was an effective remedy for adult atopic dermatitis.
Different
Types of 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 stuff. They can
advise you properly.
Another thing to know with herbal medicine is
that different cultures have resulted in different types of herbal
therapies.
Finally, 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.
Finally, 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.
·
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.
·
Infusions. 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.
·
Poultice. For injuries, inflammations, cramps,
or other spasmodic problems it can become necessary to apply the herbal mixture
as a poultice. 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.
·
Raw. 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,
·
Tinctures. 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.
·
Decoctions. 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.
Herbal
Diet Supplements
Herbal supplements are a type of dietary
supplement that contain herbs. An herb (also known as a botanical) is a plant
or plant part used for its scent, flavor, and therapeutic properties.
Diet supplements derived from herbs usually
contain more than one type of herb. The purpose of an herbal diet supplement is
to increase the benefits that you get from your normal diet and to ward off the
negative effects. Herbal diet supplements are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino
acids, etc. Obviously, dietary supplements are not meant to be used as
treatments or cures of any disease or medical condition. They are more
effective as preventative agents that help strengthen the body and the immune
system to naturally ward off any infections or internal malfunctions. For
people who do not manage a balanced diet herbal diet supplements also supply
necessary nutrients missing from regular diet.
Many herbal dietary supplements can provide substantial aid for different types of medical conditions.
Many herbal dietary supplements can provide substantial aid for different types of medical conditions.
Some herbal diet supplements are:
·
Ephedra. This supplement increases the body
resistance towards common cold, helps in the treatment of asthma and upper
respiratory problems. For people who work out regularly, ephedra is an
important ingredient in most fat loss supplements.
·
Magnesium. Minerals and salts are the biggest
deficiencies in an unbalanced diet. Magnesium is essential in preventing
kidney, thyroid, and heart disease. There are many herbal diet supplements rich
in magnesium.
·
St.
John's wort. Also known as hypericum, Klamath
weed, and goat weed, this supplement has been used for centuries in the
treatment of mental disorders, nerve pain. In older times it was also used as a
sedative and malaria cure. Nowadays, the common uses are treatment of
depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders. It is typically consumed as a tea or
in pill form.
·
Vitamin E. Uncontrolled oxidation in our body
can result in long-term damage. That is why our bodies generate anti-oxidants.
However, if the production of anti-oxidants falls below safe levels then
external supplements are required.
·
One very potent anti-oxidant is vitamin E.
Herbal diet supplements rich in vitamin E make good anti-oxidants.
·
Copper. While metals and minerals are essential
to the normal functioning of our body, sometimes they can fail to get absorbed
properly. Zinc is essential for our body and there is nothing better than a
copper rich herbal diet supplement. These supplements increase the absorption
of zinc. The result is better protection against heart disease, and healthier
skin and hair color.
·
Folate. From a certain viewpoint, folates are required
more than anything else because they can affect us down to our DNA. Folates are
required for the production and maintenance of new cells (especially during
pregnancy and infancy). DNA replication cannot take place without folates.
Folates also prevent cancer causing DNA changes. Folate deficiency affects the
bone marrow where most new cells are produced. Folates are needed to make new
red blood cells and prevent anemia. As you can see, any deficiency in folates
can be devastating in the end. One of the earliest indications of folate
deficiency is anemia. Herbal diet supplements that have folates as major
ingredients are always good for you, even if you do not have any problem
currently.
·
Iron. In the human body, the metal iron is more
pervasive than any other. It plays an important part in several vital
functions. Iron carries oxygen to the lungs and muscles in the form of
hemoglobin. It acts as a means of transport for electrons between cells. It is
a catalyst for enzyme reactions in tissues. Iron deficiency most commonly
occurs in children and pre-menopausal women. It can easily prove to be fatal if
left unchecked. Herbal diet supplements rich in iron can help to prevent such a
situation.
·
Vitamin B6 and B12. Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
deficiency can lead to anemia, depression, dermatitis, and high blood pressure.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency can lead to anemia, memory loss, and
cognitive decline. It is most likely to occur among elderly people. In extreme
cases it can even cause paralysis can result. It is widely used in the
treatment of alcoholism, depression, diabetes, hair loss, and stress. Vegans
are especially at risk of B12 deficiency because vitamin B12 naturally occurs
only in meats. So if you are a vegan than an herbal dietary supplement with
vitamins B6 and B12 is an absolute must for you.
·
Tea. Most herbal teas (and especially Medicinal
Strength Teas) involve the use of herbs that have anti-oxidant properties
useful in prevention of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure. Since these
teas usually do not involve caffeine and other associated chemicals they are
better from a health perspective than regular tea or coffee.
·
Vitamin D. The human body (especially skin)
develops its own vitamin D. It is necessary to maintain normal levels of
calcium and phosphorous. A direct result of vitamin D deficiency is a weaker
skeleton, a condition known as osteoporosis where the bones become porous and
hence break easily. Vitamin D herbal supplements can help prevent osteoporosis.
·
Selenium. This is a chemical so volatile that it
does not occur in its free state
in nature. Toxic in large amounts, trace amounts of it form the center of some
enzymes that are vital to the normal working of all cells in nearly all living
organisms. In the human body it behaves as an anti-oxidant and is also
important for the normal working of the thyroid gland. Cereals, meat, fish, and
eggs are good sources of selenium. Since the majority of sources are animal
based, vegans and vegetarians should seriously herbal dietary supplements
containing selenium.
·
Vitamin A. This vitamin is responsible for
maintaining good eye sight and promoting bone growth. It is also an
anti-oxidant. Most skin and eye problems are related to vitamin A deficiency so
if you have any such conditions, consider a herbal diet supplement rich in
vitamin A.
Advantages
of Herbal Diet Supplements
Here is a crash course in the advantages of
herbal supplements and medicines:
·
They are cheap. Did you look at your medical
bills for the past year? Now add up all that you paid the pharmacist for
prescription and over-the-counter medications. Is the number looking scary yet?
So if you have been using conventional medicine for small problems like common
cold and stomachaches then perhaps it is time you considered herbal medicine.
It might give you a healthier wallet or purse besides a healthy body.
·
You can do it. Did you know that herbal medicine
and supplements can be assembled in your own kitchen? There are thousands of
herbal recipes available on the Internet. Just follow them like a recipe to
bake a cake and there you are. Your medicine made by your own hand. If you have
a garden you could even grown your own herbs.
·
They are natural. Man has learned to do many
things but nature continues to know more. So matter how much noise the
pharmaceutical companies make you should at least give some time to listen to
nature and her own remedies.
Now
for the long version.
Herbal medicines, therapies, and supplements are
nothing new. People have used them for centuries but it is only recently that
western culture has rediscovered the wonders of herbs. In part, this was
because the development of allopathic medicinal techniques in the west combined
with the lack of scientific support for non-conventional medicines to give an
unsavory (and quite wrong) reputation to herbal medicines and supplements.
Recent discoveries have forced the medical community to reconsider the benefits
of herbs. This has mostly come about with increasing exposure of western
community to the healing techniques practiced in other cultures and countries
that proved to be more effective than, or at the least complimentary to,
allopathic treatment.
People were falling sick a long time ago and
even they needed something to help ease the pain and maybe do away with the
cause altogether. In the absence of modern medical techniques, they turned to
the only things they had around them: plants and herbs. Soon they were busy
treating everything from stomachaches to depression and insomnia.
Modern medical science is discovering that these
simply remedies from the distant past are not without merit and when combined
with a healthy lifestyle and present day rules of personal hygiene, they can
really be a potent force in preventing illness and promoting general good
health and well-being. Since they do not involve some of the more serious side
effects of conventional medicine these herbal supplements can be taken for a
variety of preventative reasons. For example, some herbal supplements help
lower cholesterol, enhance memory performance, improve the quality of mental
concentration, strengthen the cardiovascular system, and increase energy and
stamina.
There was a time when food had to travel a very
short distance. Grains arrived quickly from the farmer, milk and bacon came
fresh from the milkman, most people had gardens to grow their own plants. Those
were the days without preservatives and fertilizers and, hard as it may be,
people were a lot healthier back then. The reason is that massive production
and manufacturing pressures inevitably result in poor handling and use of
artificial preservatives. Due to this, a lot of the food that we eat today is
lacking in important vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients before
it even appears on the shelves. No matter how healthy the label claims the food
inside to be, fresh is fresh, and preservatives mean loss of food quality for
the sake of profits. A normal diet comprised of the same elements will leave
you deficient in several important nutrients if it is not fresh.
This is one reason why herbal dietary
supplements have suddenly become important today and are being studied so
closely by the medical community. They are safe, they are as close to natural
and fresh as they get, and they are the most effective means available to the
common people to ensure that their body has all the required types of fuel to
keep it going at maximum efficiency day after day even in the face of improper
diets.
A note of caution is in order here to warn you
that since herbal supplements are not subject to government regulations or
general scrutiny it is quite natural that there are some very ill-minded people
out there who are putting up substandard products to cash in on the herbal
medicine and supplement craze. It is vital to avoid these products, as the
total harm they will end up doing is unjustifiable against the limited good
they might do. When you go shopping for herbal products, do a thorough
research of the company manufacturing them. You are shopping for your health so
make certain that it is safe from malicious products and greedy corporations.
Look out for Certificate of Analysis (COA) for each ingredient in the
supplement. Also make certain that the manufacturing company follows the GMP
manufacturing processes strictly. In the absence of regulations similar to
those that apply to pharmaceutical companies, GMP is the best you can hope for
from a company manufacturing herbal products.
Nowadays you do not need to go down to the local
health store to purchase nutritional health supplements.
Just connect to the Internet and there are
countless websites from where you cannot only purchase products online but you
can also perform extensive research. Researching products is a good idea.
Do a web-search for reviews of people or visit
forums where such products are discussed.
People will be more than willing to exchange
posts on a personal basis on those boards.
While herbal supplements are sold as
individual products it is a good idea to look for comprehensive formulae that
involve different herbal extracts along with a healthy dose of vitamins,
minerals, amino acids, and cofactors. Try to treat your herbal supplement as a
balanced that should have a bit of everything while staying on the safe
side.
Most importantly, before you make a purchase,
take a print out of the details of the product that interests you and discuss
it thoroughly with your doctor. Some herbal supplements might be more useful
for you and conversely you might be about to spend money on supplements you do
not need in the least. Your doctor can help with the practical details.
Herbal supplements are growing popular day by
day. People all over the world are always looking for ways to improve their
health and more and more of them are turning to natural remedies rather than
the mainstream drugs that have been around for most of recent history.
Due to this increasing trend, scientists have
finally decided to conduct studies to determine the therapeutic benefits and
applications of the different herbs and their extracts that are used in herbal
therapies and supplements. A majority of results from these experiments
strongly indicate that taking herbal supplements along with maintaining a
healthy lifestyle and good diet can be greatly beneficial to general health.
This is the reason why many people prefer
natural health supplements. The trouble comes from the fact that like
other nutritional supplements, herbal supplements are not regulated in the United States.
Therefore, the manufacturers do not have to make any assurance of the safety
and effectiveness of their products. They are not even required to reveal the
ingredients in a health product.
One outcome of this is that a product can claim
to contain a herb but a manufacturer can easily put in a chemical equivalent.
This might sound criminal but unfortunately in modern corporate culture of
"profits first", it is quite a normal occurrence.
The use of dietary supplements saw a dramatic
increase in the 1990s but since then the use of such supplements has gone into
a decline. The slight correction in this downward trend is attributed to the
introduction of herbal supplements into mainstream multivitamin products.
Within the last decade the use of alternative
medicines, and herbal products in particular, has increased considerably.
In the year 2001, Americans spent almost $4.2
billion on herbal and botanical remedies. This coincided with extensive media
coverage of the benefits that people were enjoying from herbal remedies.
The percentage of people who were using dietary supplements increased from 14.2% (1998) to 18.8% (2002), with the low spot of 12.3% in 2000 and the highest peak at 19.8% in 2001.
The percentage of people who were using dietary supplements increased from 14.2% (1998) to 18.8% (2002), with the low spot of 12.3% in 2000 and the highest peak at 19.8% in 2001.
The number of people ages 45-64 who were taking
supplements increased by 50% between 1998-99 and 2001-02.
Broadly speaking it was discovered that the
majority of people taking dietary supplements were older and mostly female
(59.9% as compared to 55.5% of males).
There are many reasons for this increase, not
the least being that herbal supplements do in fact being many benefits with
them. People can take herbs and supplements for any number of reasons. There
are herbs like Echinacea that are extremely helpful in case of common cold or
flu. If you feel constantly lethargic even when there is no weakness in the body
then perhaps Ginseng tea can help to give you a boost of energy instead of a
cappuccino. Ginseng can also increase sexual stamina, reduce stress levels, and
fight against aging effects like memory loss.
Herbal medicine is varied and within its
diversity it covers a broad range of conditions where it can be effectively
applied for treatment. Furthermore, these treatments are conducted on several
different levels that can range from generic every day problems that need
nothing more than symptomatic relief to completely customized prescriptions
that are prepared for individual conditions in patients that have undergone
extensive analysis and examination at the hands of an experienced medical
herbalist.
Some herbals remedies do not require consulting
a qualified medical herbalist. Minor problems like mild infections, cold,
cough, catarrh, stomach cramps or gas, indigestion, constipation, etc. can be
cured with self-help using over the counter herbal remedies. Self-medication
using herbal remedies has never been easier thanks to the limitless information
that is available today, mostly though the Internet. All it needs is a little
investment of time in order to peruse these websites and anyone can make an
informed decision without having to visit a medical herbalist.
In the 10th century, Arabs invented a process of
distillation for the extraction of essential oils from plants. These oils were
inhaled as aromas, drunk as potions, and worn aromatic amulets. This is one of
the first uses of aromas as personal scent preference. This is allegedly the
root behind the use of perfumes and modern day deodorants. Nowadays, this
extraction process is mainly used to get the oil from plants and flowers for
use in aromatherapy. This form of therapy that involves nothing more than deep
inhalation of different types of herbal oils is being used to treat a wide
spectrum of maladies, both physical and emotional. Headaches, herpes, dry skin,
acne, arthritis, and asthma are just a few examples of the problems that people
have cured using aromatherapy.
Recently, France
and England
started the process of reintroducing the various ancient healing techniques to
the western world. This began in 1990 and aromatherapy gained a wider
acceptance in the traditional community since that time.
France
remains the world leader in rediscovering modern uses for ancient healing
techniques. Several prominent French doctors prescribe aromatic remedies as a
matter of routine for most of their patients. A visit to most French pharmacies
will reveal that all of them are well stocked in a wide array of essential
oils. Insurance companies in France
are more than willing to pay for treatments involving aromatherapy and other
traditional methods.
Are
Their Any Side Effects To Natural Cures?
A scientific study has found that, though for
the most part herbal supplements seem harmless, some of the more popular
products pose a very special risk. This particular supplement interacts with
and reduces the effectiveness of the drug saquinavir. The only thing to do for
the moment is to avoid taking herbal supplements if you are being treated with
saquinavir.
Herbal supplements are meant to boost our immune
system, provide more ready energy, and improve general health. Though
scientists say that research that is more extensive is required to determine
which herbal supplements can have an adverse effect on our body, or, can
interact with other medications and reduce their effectiveness, they remain
united in their stand that several of the so-called harmless supplements can
prove very harmful.
Some of the more popular herbal supplements are
chondroitin, ephedra, Echinacea, and glucosamine.
Chondroitin is typically used in the treatment
of osteoarthritis. One side effect of chondroitin can be bleeding complications.
This is more like when used in combination with a regular prescription drug
that causes blood thinning.
Ephedra used to be a big favorite among people
looking for a fat loss supplement. Ephedra promotes weight loss, provides
energy boosts, and can also be used to treat respiratory tract problems like
asthma and bronchitis. Recently, the FDA banned Ephedra because of dangerous
side effects like high blood pressure, increased heart rate, false increase in
metabolism, all which could lead to a cardiac arrest, heart arrhythmia, stroke,
and might even be fatal in some cases.
Echinacea helps in the prevention and treatment
of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. It also helps in curing chronic
wounds, ulcers, and arthritis. On the other hand it can cause immunosuppression
that will cause the body to lose its self-healing capacity so wounds will not
heal on their own. Immunosuppression also reduces the effectiveness of the
immune system making infection easier.
Glucosamine is very often administered along
with chondroitin. It contains chemicals that mimic the function of insulin and
can cause the body to misbehave when this artificial insulin enters the blood
stream. It can be especially bad for diabetics.
Other herbals supplements suspected of adverse
side effects include gingko biloba, goldenseal, milk thistle, ginseng, kava,
and garlic. It is highly advisable to seek the consultation of your doctor
before taking any supplements, herbal or otherwise. More than informing you
about potential health risks the doctor can give valuable advice about food,
nutrition, and supplements.
Ayurveda
Ayurvedic cures are based on ancient formulae
that have been written down in the ancient Ayurvedic traditions. The success of
an Ayurvedic cure depends on the quality of its ingredients.
Looking to plants for healing powers is an old
idea and was embraced by the early physicians in ancient India. Ayurveda
is an alternative herbal medicine therapy from India that believes heavy metals
are therapeutic. The FDA considers heavy metals very dangerous for consumption
and that is why Ayurvedic medicines are sold as supplements rather than
medicines in America. Ayurveda
is one of the oldest of traditional medicine that first established the routine
of proper diagnosis and herbal cures for several diseases.
Natural Herbal Nutrition Supplements
People who opt for natural supplements or a
whole food diet usually also wish to include whole food vitamins. Natural herb
based supplements are usually lacking in certain vitamins that are only found
in the animal kingdom so including a vitamin supplement is a wise decision.
There are many companies making these vitamin supplements. One reason to prefer
whole good vitamins is that they are not manufactured in a factory; they are as
close to the natural form as it is possible for a packed product to be.
When you go shopping for whole food vitamins,
pay close attention and make sure you do not purchase products that have
preservatives or additives. Some people might also prefer their supplements in
liquid form. In case a healthcare professional recommends you take supplements
then it is your duty to make certain that the product you purchase is 100%
natural and contains no synthetic chemicals. It is common for whole food
products to contain a combination of vitamins, minerals, and other essential
nutrients. You are not likely to find a whole food product that contains just
one specific vitamin or mineral.
Eating whole foods and taking natural whole food
vitamins is a good idea because they help to maintain healthy cells. Due to
environmental pollution there are too many free radicals floating about that
can easily cause cellular damage. Whole foods in all shapes can help repair
that damage. Another healthy option is to include as many raw diets as you
possibly can. Nowadays, thanks to pesticides, preservatives, chemical
treatments, and other processes that are inflicted on foodstuff to make them
healthier typically kill off a considerable proportion of important vitamins
and nutrients. When you finally get these to your kitchen, the raw food is
already deficient in nourishment. Cooking only makes matters worse by washing
away even more vitamins and minerals. Eating a raw diet ensures that you get
the maximum out of your food. A raw diet will make you feel healthier.
The New Trend?
Despite the increase in popularity that
alternative medicine and herbal therapy are enjoying since the late 20th
century there are opponents to the belief that these alternatives are better
than conventional medicines. The growing number of adherents to the alternative
therapies and herbal remedies nicely balances this out. These people have made
the choice to lead a completely drug free life. According to them, even the
legally manufactured and sold products by pharmaceutical companies are
unhealthy because of their synthetic chemical base.
This trend is getting more widespread because
nowadays there are more and more celebrities and rich public figures who are
adopting the drug free lifestyle. These prominent examples prefer the use of
alternative remedies for even simple problems like headaches, pains, and
cramps. They steadfastly refuse the use of conventional medications and would
not casually take an Advil or Aspirin because of their firm belief in the
inherent health benefits that come from a drug free lifestyle.
Since herbal cures and remedies have been around
for several millennia, it should not be surprising that the list of ailments
they can cure and the number of cures they offer is exhaustive. There are wide
arrays of symptoms, diseases, mental problems, and some physical deformities
(acne), or embarrassing conditions like bad breath that can be effectively
cured or greatly improved through the use of herbal remedies.
And, after all, why not? Don't you ever wonder
where prescription drugs and medications come from? Everything has to have its
roots in nature. There are no alien supplied medications. Every drug available
on the market today once used natural substances. This changed when chemical
synthesis in a factory led to rapid drug production. This was good because more
people could be treated quickly and it made some pharmaceutical companies very
rich. It turned out to be bad because those same pharmaceutical companies now
refuse to acknowledge their roots in nature or to try and give some
respectability to their parent science. Also, note that the same product
when it is in a natural state requires less processing by the body as compared
to its manufactured equivalent. Natural products also tend to leave behind
fewer toxins in the body and are therefore better than artificial
products.
A little bit of skepticism is only natural when
it comes to abandoning a lifetime of faith and dependence in pharmaceutical
drugs. What should be considered is the ever-increasing number of people who
are adopting the herbal and natural way of life and actually benefiting from
its outcome. The fact that there are some bad companies out there putting out
unreliable natural and herbal products only increases the skepticism.
The marketplace is so bad today that on an
average for every good product that are at leas two or three competing and
thoroughly useless products. The good guys are being drowned out by the bad
guys who only want to make a quick buck in a high selling market.
In such a situation, the responsibility rests with you to properly research the product and the company that is manufacturing it. Look for testimonials and reviews published on third party, neutral web sites. What sort of approvals does the product have? Are the ingredients checked for purity? What is the natural source for ingredients? What are the manufacturing standards that are being followed? How long has the company been in this business? These are all legitimate questions and usually you should be able to call up the company on a provided telephone number to have all your queries answered.
In such a situation, the responsibility rests with you to properly research the product and the company that is manufacturing it. Look for testimonials and reviews published on third party, neutral web sites. What sort of approvals does the product have? Are the ingredients checked for purity? What is the natural source for ingredients? What are the manufacturing standards that are being followed? How long has the company been in this business? These are all legitimate questions and usually you should be able to call up the company on a provided telephone number to have all your queries answered.
It does not matter what is the reason for your
decision to take herbal supplements. It could be that you simply want an
improvement in general health or you might be trying to combat some symptom
that indicates the deficiency of some essential nutrient missing from your
diet. What does matter is that you remember that when you go shopping for the
supplement of your choice. An incorrectly chosen herbal supplement will plunge
you into the group of people who think that all this "natural"
business is so much humbug. A well chosen supplement on the other hand just
might make you a convert and have you spreading the "natural" gospel
to everyone you meet for the rest of your life.
Natural
Skin Remedies
Organic skin care refers to the use of natural
skin care products or therapies. The ingredients of these natural products are
grown organically in places that are rich in nutrients, unlike similar products
that are purely manufactured using synthetic processes and ingredients.
Organic skin care makes use of several different
types of plants, extracts, herbs, flowers, and natural oils. Organic skin care
products are merely an extension of natural skin care therapies.
Organic skin care products are non-toxic and
full of essential nutrients for the skin extracted from natural sources. These
products nourish the skin and rejuvenate it gently. Some of the problems they
can cure are dark circles, wrinkles, and pimples. The overall effect of organic
skin care products is younger and healthier looking skin.
There are different organic skin care products
available for the face and for other parts of the body. Since the structure of
skin is different depending on the part body it is important to choose the
appropriate product.
Apart from rejuvenating the skin, organic skin care products also have a soothing and healing effect on the body. Some of the ingredients are quite rich in soothing essences that have a calming effect. Organic skin care products can make you feel fresh in addition to nourishing your skin.
Apart from rejuvenating the skin, organic skin care products also have a soothing and healing effect on the body. Some of the ingredients are quite rich in soothing essences that have a calming effect. Organic skin care products can make you feel fresh in addition to nourishing your skin.
Newer products do not merely rely on plants and
flowers. Some of them have already started using the special qualities of herbs
and herbal extracts. Aloe vera, lavender, jojoba, olive oil, and rosemary
extract are now regular ingredients in many organic skin care products.
Nourishment of the skin takes place through
cleansing, moisturizing, and toning. Regular use of organic skin care products
will ensure that your skin has no blemishes, pimples, or allergies. These
products also keep the skin soft and supple. Healthy skin will produce fewer wrinkles
because of its firmness.
Herbal
Acne Remedies
One of the more powerful forms of acne remedies
is herbal. For people who are averse to taking strong acne drugs this is a very
good option. The only problem with herbal remedies is that they are very slow
acting and the results can take up to a month to become visible.
Even so, herbal acne home cures are a good side
effort to whatever other treatments being used. The reason why herbal acne
remedies take time is that these remedies depend on the body's capacity to
metabolize fats and carbohydrates. Herbal remedies cure acne by encouraging the
elimination of acne through the lymphatic system.
There is a class of herbs called
"alternative herbs". These herbs are basically used for the purpose
of cleansing body tissues. They are herbs that help the body with the
detoxification process. However, they do not remove the toxins from the body
through normal elimination pathways like lungs, kidneys, or colon.
While they are not so popular in western culture, herbal acne remedies have a long history of successfully treating acne problems and they are so harmless that you should at least give them one try. Moreover, since most herbal acne remedies work inside the body they do not interfere with conventional topical (applied externally) acne medications.
While they are not so popular in western culture, herbal acne remedies have a long history of successfully treating acne problems and they are so harmless that you should at least give them one try. Moreover, since most herbal acne remedies work inside the body they do not interfere with conventional topical (applied externally) acne medications.
Alternative herbs are very mild acting so there
is no discomfort in their use. However, since they are mild by nature they take
a longer time and consistent use to show results. Despite this, the fact
remains the results are better and longer lasting. What is more, these herbs
usually have a beneficial affect on the rest of the body. They can even be used
to treat chronic inflammatory conditions.
Some of the alternative herbs include burdock, cleavers, red clover, figwort, poke root, Echinacea, and blue flag.
Like most herbal remedies these herbal acne
cures are also best when a combination of herbs is used. One frequently used
and very popular combination is Echinacea, burdock, blue flag, and yellow dock.
Just mix and prepare an infusion using hot water. Drink a cup about three times
daily. If you wish to improve the flavor then please do no add sugar, instead,
use honey.
A second combination is dandelion, sarsaparilla,
and burdock. Mix them up when they are dry herbs. Prepare an infusion as before
and have 3 cups a day.
A third decent combination for acne is lavender,
yarrow, and elder flowers.
Besides these, herbal acne remedies are
available for topical use.
Take the oil from a tea tree and apply it to the acne-affected area. This oil can be a bit strong so if you have sensitive skin just dilute it with water. Fresh cabbage juice makes another great topical herbal cure for acne. This is also a better choice for people with sensitive who cannot stand tea tree oil.
Take the oil from a tea tree and apply it to the acne-affected area. This oil can be a bit strong so if you have sensitive skin just dilute it with water. Fresh cabbage juice makes another great topical herbal cure for acne. This is also a better choice for people with sensitive who cannot stand tea tree oil.
Calendula and chamomile can be used to make a
very effective anti-inflammatory skin wash. Just prepare an infusion with these
two as before but instead of drinking it let it cool. Store it in the fridge.
When required, dab it onto affected areas.
Minerals like potassium phosphate and magnesium
phosphate are also good for the skin. Zinc aids in the prevention of
scarring.
Vitamin C helps in healing acne lesions as well
as acting as an anti-oxidant.
These are but a few cases of how herbal acne remedies can be of help.
These are but a few cases of how herbal acne remedies can be of help.
Natural herbal recipe
It is very easy to
make your own herbal medicines. In fact, since most herbal remedies are best
consumed when they are at their freshest you even have the best of all choices:
grown your own herbs and make your own fresh remedies.
However, it is
important to have a thorough knowledge of the process of making your own
remedies or even homegrown fresh herbs will go to waste.
Always keep in mind
that unlike modern medicines herbal remedies are not a one-day affair. They
take time to show their full effect because they work more gradually.
When preparing your
own herbal remedies always use a non-metallic or enamel pot.
Infusions are mostly
tea-like beverages that are made by combining fresh herbs and boiled water. The
common method is steeping. Typical ratios are about 1/2 or one ounce of herbs
to one pint of boiled water. The mixture should be allowed to steep for at
least 10 minutes. After that, you should strain the infusion into a cup.
Cold extracts make
use of cold water instead of boiling water. The advantage is that unlike
boiling some of the more volatile ingredients in herbs are not wasted in the
extraction process. To prepare cold extracts, double the amount of herbal
material and let it sit in cold water for about 12 hours then strain the
mixture before drinking.
Decoction is a method
of preparation that focuses on extracting mineral salts rather than vitamins.
You should boil 1/2 ounce of herbs with one cup of water for 4-5 minutes. Steep
the mixture for a couple of minutes before using it.
Juice from herbs
should not be made in a blender. Just chop and crush the herbs to squeeze out
the juice. Add some water to this concentrate and then squeeze some more, drink
it immediately. Do not store juice extracted this way.
Powder can be made
from grinding your herbs when they are dried. The powder can then be taken with
water, milk, or soup.
Ointments can be
prepared by adding olive oil to a previously prepared decoction and then
putting it on simmer until the water has evaporated. Beeswax may be included to
improve consistency.
Essence can be
prepared by dissolving one ounce of essential herbal oil in a pint of alcohol.
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