Herbal Medicine
Like concentrated vegetables
What is Herbal or Botanic Medicine ?
Plants have been used as medicines since antiquity. Even today, 25% of Doctors' prescriptions may contain components isolated from plants. Constituents of Herbal Medicines can influence the body in many ways. Up to 5 different herbs from a selection of 140 may be carefully selected to suit an individual's needs. The medicine is most commonly prescribed in the form of drops to be taken in water.
Examples of herbs commonly used in both Naturopathic and Conventional Medicine.
• Aspirin is a constituent found in many herbs such as Willow.
• Peppermint oil is used to medically treat digestive disorders such as colitis.
• Ephadrine, a mucous drying agent used in cold and flu remedies was originally found in a herb called Ephedra.
• Metamucil contains parts of the Psyllium plant, a herbal laxative.
• Atropine is a constituent of the herb Belladonna and used medically to dilate the pupil and to reduce abdominal cramps. It is also used as a bronchodilator
Herbal medicine can be a most effective and economical form of treatment.
You may not have thought of yourself as a user of herbal medicine but, if you are an enthusiastic cook you might be but don't know it!
Parsley is a herb used by many herbalist as a blood cleanser and for the treatment of mild urinary infections and also for fluid retention. This is a very potent herb when taken in large amounts. A sprig a day would be all you'll need over the long term, higher doses can force the system to eliminate waists too violently and place too much of a pressure on the system. Many believe that if 'it's natural' then it can do no harm, but the same rule of nature exists for the "natural" as well as the synthetic, that is "Any substance at a given dose will have a therapeutic action on the body. The same substance at a higher dose will have the opposite or detrimental effect"
Many are familiar with the anti-biotic action of Garlic, just about the same can be said for Onion which makes a wise inclusion in the diet for infections especially of the respiratory kind. Be aware though that both Garlic and Onion yield their goodies to oil rather than water. So lightly fry them before adding to soups or stews aids their therapeutic action.
Dill seed makes a very effective gripe water of infantile colic. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to a cup of boiling water and let it cool.
Ginger is a very good remedy for nausea, again you can use a teaspoon of fresh or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered, pour over boiling water and sip as needed.
All the strongly aromatic herbs have high concentrations of essential oil. Thyme, Basil and Sage are all helpful in the treatment of upper respiratory and throat infections. One of these together with the astringent action of lemon juice as a tea can be taken to cut down the growth of the invading nasties and also impart a toning action on the mucous linings to keep potential infections out of the body.
Many find herbal remedies strong tasting in their unadulterated form. This is because Mother Nature is telling you that this is a medicine and not a food and naturally limits the amount you are able to take. Cayenne pepper for example helps to improve peripheral blood circulation. It is unlikely a person could swallow any more than an eighth of a teaspoon of Cayenne pepper so overdose is impossible. In the case of Orthodox medicine it easy to down two or three jars of medical preparations because the natural restricting mechanisms have been removed.
It is important that you appreciate the danger of self medication and as the lady says "If the problem persists seek professional advise. Used sensibly remedies such as these can be of great benefit but you need to draw the common sense line where the problem is beyond your own abilities of self diagnosis and treatment. That keeps you out of the Sunday papers and the natural medicine movement happy and gains the respect of orthodox medicine.
What is Herbal or Botanic Medicine ?
Plants have been used as medicines since antiquity. Even today, 25% of Doctors' prescriptions may contain components isolated from plants. Constituents of Herbal Medicines can influence the body in many ways. Up to 5 different herbs from a selection of 140 may be carefully selected to suit an individual's needs. The medicine is most commonly prescribed in the form of drops to be taken in water.
Examples of herbs commonly used in both Naturopathic and Conventional Medicine.
• Aspirin is a constituent found in many herbs such as Willow.
• Peppermint oil is used to medically treat digestive disorders such as colitis.
• Ephadrine, a mucous drying agent used in cold and flu remedies was originally found in a herb called Ephedra.
• Metamucil contains parts of the Psyllium plant, a herbal laxative.
• Atropine is a constituent of the herb Belladonna and used medically to dilate the pupil and to reduce abdominal cramps. It is also used as a bronchodilator
Herbal medicine can be a most effective and economical form of treatment.
You may not have thought of yourself as a user of herbal medicine but, if you are an enthusiastic cook you might be but don't know it!
Parsley is a herb used by many herbalist as a blood cleanser and for the treatment of mild urinary infections and also for fluid retention. This is a very potent herb when taken in large amounts. A sprig a day would be all you'll need over the long term, higher doses can force the system to eliminate waists too violently and place too much of a pressure on the system. Many believe that if 'it's natural' then it can do no harm, but the same rule of nature exists for the "natural" as well as the synthetic, that is "Any substance at a given dose will have a therapeutic action on the body. The same substance at a higher dose will have the opposite or detrimental effect"
Many are familiar with the anti-biotic action of Garlic, just about the same can be said for Onion which makes a wise inclusion in the diet for infections especially of the respiratory kind. Be aware though that both Garlic and Onion yield their goodies to oil rather than water. So lightly fry them before adding to soups or stews aids their therapeutic action.
Dill seed makes a very effective gripe water of infantile colic. Use 1/2 to 1 teaspoon to a cup of boiling water and let it cool.
Ginger is a very good remedy for nausea, again you can use a teaspoon of fresh or 1/2 teaspoon of powdered, pour over boiling water and sip as needed.
All the strongly aromatic herbs have high concentrations of essential oil. Thyme, Basil and Sage are all helpful in the treatment of upper respiratory and throat infections. One of these together with the astringent action of lemon juice as a tea can be taken to cut down the growth of the invading nasties and also impart a toning action on the mucous linings to keep potential infections out of the body.
Many find herbal remedies strong tasting in their unadulterated form. This is because Mother Nature is telling you that this is a medicine and not a food and naturally limits the amount you are able to take. Cayenne pepper for example helps to improve peripheral blood circulation. It is unlikely a person could swallow any more than an eighth of a teaspoon of Cayenne pepper so overdose is impossible. In the case of Orthodox medicine it easy to down two or three jars of medical preparations because the natural restricting mechanisms have been removed.
It is important that you appreciate the danger of self medication and as the lady says "If the problem persists seek professional advise. Used sensibly remedies such as these can be of great benefit but you need to draw the common sense line where the problem is beyond your own abilities of self diagnosis and treatment. That keeps you out of the Sunday papers and the natural medicine movement happy and gains the respect of orthodox medicine.