| Plants are nature's remedies. The use of plants for | | | | History of herbal medicines In any way, do not fail to |
| healing purposes predates human history and forms | | | | recognize that usage of herbal medicines and natural |
| the origin of much modern medicine. Herbal traditions | | | | remedies dates back millions of years ago. |
| have been passed down and refined with scientific | | | | Archaeological remains from early civilizations have |
| understanding, providing information to assist in health | | | | revealed that plants were used in burials and other |
| maintenance. Today, our diet mainly consists of | | | | rituals. The earliest written account of herbal |
| foods rich in fats, oils, and complex carbohydrates. | | | | remedies comes from China and dates back to |
| This is a huge problem in today's society, leading to | | | | 2800BC. |
| certain chronic diseases. Many dietary and herbal | | | | Herbal medicines have had a chequered history ever |
| approaches attempt to balance the body's nutritional | | | | since, in and out of favor with the great and the |
| well-being. This includes dietary supplements and | | | | common man. But throughout the last 5000 or so |
| herbal medicine. What are herbal products? | | | | years, they have continued to develop until today, |
| Herbal products (medicines/dietary supplements) fall | | | | when in the light of growing concern about the |
| under the complementary and alternative medicine | | | | efficacy and side effects of many synthetic drugs, |
| (CAM) which refers to the practices that aren't | | | | herbal medicines are once again providing a safe and |
| integral parts of conventional medicine according to | | | | natural alternative treatment for many everyday |
| the National Center for Complementary and | | | | complaints. |
| Alternative Medicine. | | | | Among the listed advantages of herbal medicines and |
| Herbs are valuable sources of natural medicine, | | | | natural alternatives are as follows: 1. Cost - Herbs |
| vitamins and minerals that have a remarkable history | | | | cost less than prescription drugs. They are certainly |
| of curative effects, when used in the proper way. In | | | | much more convenient. Without a prescription, you |
| fact, the World Health Organization estimates that | | | | can go to the health food store and buy whatever |
| there are 4 billion people or 80 percent of the world | | | | you want. However, it is always wise to consult with |
| population who are presently using herbal medicine | | | | your doctor first before taking ANY medications. |
| for some aspect of primary healthcare. Herbal | | | | Natural does not necessarily mean safe for you. |
| treatments may come in different forms. Forms of | | | | Many natural substances can be harmful. However, it |
| Herbal treatments: | | | | is also important to note that medicines are not |
| Teas made by pouring boiling water over fresh or | | | | categorized as drugs. Alternative medications are |
| dried herbs Liquids made by boiling herbs in water, | | | | treated as food, not medicines, because they are |
| then using the concoction to make oils or syrups | | | | considered "natural". |
| Solids such as powders, tablets and capsules | | | | They can be sold as dietary supplements without a |
| Although herbs have both nutritive and medicinal | | | | prescription. Supplement claims are not subject to the |
| values and perceived as generally safe, care must be | | | | same scientific scrutiny as prescription medications. |
| practiced with regard to their use and dosage. | | | | Unlike prescription medicines, herbal products do not |
| Always consult with your health care provider | | | | have to be tested to prove that they work well and |
| concerning the use of herbals, especially when | | | | are safe before they are sold. In addition, herbal |
| pregnant, breastfeeding, or suffering from chronic | | | | products may not be pure--they might have other |
| illnesses. | | | | things in them, like plant pollen or contaminants that |
| Advantages of Herbal treatments Nowadays is the | | | | could make you sick. At the present time, testing |
| era of everything that is herbal and natural. Millions of | | | | and standardized manufacturing of herbal and other |
| "all natural," "all herbal" health and dietary supplements | | | | supplements is needed. |
| are swamping the markets today. Some of us are | | | | 2. Effectiveness and Potency - Reasons for seeking |
| puzzled as to where and how the sudden | | | | alternative treatments include dissatisfaction with |
| exaggeration for those things started. Maybe it was | | | | traditional healthcare, although the efficacy of herbal |
| because we became suddenly concerned and | | | | medicines is mostly subjective to the patient. |
| watchful of our health and well-being. On the other | | | | Potency may vary, depending on genetic variation of |
| hand, maybe the media has so much influence over | | | | different strains of herbs, growing conditions, timing |
| us that we often fail to see beyond the glamorous | | | | and method of harvesting, exposure to air, light and |
| models and endorsers. | | | | moisture over time and type of preservation. |