HERBALISM

The term herb refers to a plant used for medicinal purposes. Use of herbs as medicine is herbalism. Plants have always been indispensable for humans ever since they set foot on the earth. Humans must have been using plants as medicines even from prehistoric times. Through trial and error they discovered that some plants were good for food and that some others were poisonous. Over the millennia, these observations were passed orally from generation to generation, with each generation expanding and improving the knowledge. Many of the benefits of herbs are not so much based on scientific study but rather on the consistent observations made by herbal practitioners through the centuries. Probably every human society has had some way of explaining how the body works and how plant medicines work in us.

How herbalism works

Plants have evolved the ability to synthesize chemical compounds, some of which have beneficial effects when used to treat human diseases. At least 12000 such secondary metabolites have been isolated so far. This number is estimated to be less than 10% of the total. These chemical compounds exert their effects on the human body in a way identical to conventional drugs and as such, herbal medicines do not differ greatly from conventional drugs in terms of how they work. This enables herbal medicines to be as effective as conventional medicines. The natural chemical properties of certain herbs have been shown to have medicinal value and are used in some modern drugs. However, unlike conventional medicine, herbalists use the ‘whole’ herb rather than isolating and breaking down chemical compounds and then synthesizing them. This is because the plant, being a part of Nature, is said to represent perfect balance.

A health problem is best treated before it begins. It is easy to spot an imbalance before it turns into an acute disease. This is where herbs are most effective. Many mild herbs can be self-prescribed for minor conditions, for instance chamomile tea to help you relax, or peppermint tea to help with digestion. Herbal remedies are taken in a number of forms: as infusions (made like a tea), through the skin in the form of poultices, by using compresses externally to relieve pain locally, powders, creams rubbed into the skin, and steam inhalations. Herbs are used to treat a wide variety of health problems: hormonal imbalances, digestive and respiratory conditions, cardio-vascular and urinary problems, emotional conditions, allergies and joint complaints.

Advantages

Herbal use is now seeing an increased acceptance and popularity across the world, as many people are looking for safe, effective and time-proven medicine. Herbs, when properly used, are safe, gentle and effective. People are also becoming increasingly concerned about the side effects of powerful synthetic drugs. More are discovering every day that herbalism is an effective and comparatively inexpensive form of health care. They appreciate the fact that it draws exclusively from natural products and it is as useful in preventing illness as it is in curing it. Holistic medicine deals with the “whole” person and treats the body as one integrated system, not a collection of isolated parts. Herbalism is an ideal way to enhance our own innate healing power. Herbal remedies can be used safely for staying at the personal peak of vitality and to prevent diseases from developing. In this way herbs achieve a synergistic effect throughout the body. This effect is also holistic because the herb stimulates whole functions rather than isolated molecular sites. Bioregional herbalism stems from the concept that a truly holistic style of healing needs to draw on available natural resources within an individual’s local area. This means that the herbs you take do not make an extra demand of resources for their manufacture and transportation.

Disadvantages

The plants, reduced to capsule form are no different than pharmaceutical drugs. Except of course much less effective, because the herbs have been taken out of the system of healing in which they have their strength. Herbs can be very powerful and care should be taken. The safest course of action is to consult a qualified herbalist. The drugs which the herbs contain can be beneficial or harmful. Although some very useful drugs are obtained from plant sources, some of the most deadly poisons are also obtained from plants. Even where herbal remedies are known to have an effect, the compounds responsible are often unknown or not well understood. The drugs which herbal remedies contain can have an effect on other drugs too; this can lead even to the death of the patient. Natural does not mean safe. Most herbal remedies have not been tested for their true effectiveness or their safety. There is a big misconception about these remedies being inherently safe. This can lead to consumers taking these remedies without a thought about overdosing or side effects.

How long herbal remedies take to cure

The duration of the treatment using herbal remedies, depends on the severity of the disease. The longer the condition had been in existence, the longer the cure might take. The approach to herbalism in www.greenchedy.com uses herbs, according to their actions, that work synergistically to provide the body with the most appropriate cure for diseases.