Herbal
Medicine
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Herbal medicine is a system of healing that uses certain plants to
remedy a host of ailments. This ancient and widely used system can
be traced back to Neanderthal society, and ancient Egyptian, Greek,
Roman, Indian and Chinese medicinal practices were based on herbal
healing. Even animals like chimpanzees tend to eat certain plants when
they are ill. Many modern drugs like aspirin, morphine, steroids and
amphetamines are derived from plants.
Herbalism emphasises a holistic approach to healing, treating people
as a whole rather than just their symptoms. It appears to be growing
in popularity as we learn more about the dangers and side effects of
some prescription drugs.
How Does It
Work?
Herbal medicines are extracted from the flowers, leaves, roots and
seeds of plants which contain essential oils, vitamins and minerals
known to have healing properties. Herbalists draw on their knowledge
of these plants to suggest a remedy suitable for the patient’s
specific needs. These remedies are designed to boost the body’s
ability to heal itself.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
Your herbalist will ask about your medical history, diet and lifestyle,
as well as your specific problem. Let her/him know about any prescription
medicines you are taking, or if you are pregnant or suffer from any
serious ailments. Most herbalists will work together with your doctor
if you are receiving medical treatment for specific ailments.
Selected herbs will be recommended to treat your problem, as well
as boost your immune system and increase vitality needed to prevent
further illness. These are given in a variety of forms, including tinctures,
infusions, ointments, capsules, or lozenges.
As well as herbal remedies, your herbalist may suggest changes in
diet and lifestyle, such as getting more exercise and quitting smoking.
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What Is It Used
For?
Herbal Medicine has been used successfully to treat a wide variety
of common ailments including colds, coughs, acne, eczema, arthritis,
asthma, digestive problems, migraine, anxiety, depression, high blood
pressure, premenstrual tension, menopausal problems, insomnia, and
many more.
Side Effects/Cautions
Some herbal medicines can interfere with certain prescription medicines
- consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments.
Certain herbs should be avoided when pregnant. For example, pennyroyal,
black cohosh and goldenseal are known to induce miscarriages.
Some herbs are very powerful, and should be taken with care, preferably
under the supervision of a trained herbalist.
If you are taking herbal supplements without the supervision of an
herbalist, check the label carefully for contraindications.
References
Find
a Herbal Medicine Practitioner
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Recommended Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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Prescription for Herbal Healing: An
Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds of Common Disorders
and Their Herbal Remedies
Phyllis A. Balch
The popularity of herbal medicine has exploded during the
past decade, with herbal remedies becoming increasingly available
in such conventional outlets as drugstores and even supermarkets.
Prescription for Herbal Healing brings to herbal medicine
the same in-depth, easy-to-understand information and accessible
style that Prescription
for Nutritional Healing successfully brought to diet
and nutritional supplements.
This book is divided into three parts for easy reference.
Part I discusses the basic principles of herbal medicine
and outlines the properties and characteristics of some one
hundred sixty single herbs and sixty herbal combination formulas.
Part II describes more than one hundred fifty common disorders,
conveniently arranged in alphabetical order from acne to
yeast infection, and names the herbal therapies that can
be used in the treatment of those conditions. Part III is
a guide to using various kinds of herbal and other alternative
therapies. In addition, it includes self-diagnostic tests
and boxed insets throughout, which offer detailed information
on a wide variety of topics.
Complete coverage of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs make this
volume entirely comprehensive, and thorough scientific references
lend it an authority not found in any other herbal book.
Prescription for Herbal Healing is the definitive herbal
resource and is a necessity for any health-conscious consumer.
Learn
more...
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The Green Pharmacy : The Ultimate Compendium Of
Natural Remedies From The World's Foremost Authority On Healing
Herbs (Green Pharmacy)
James A. Duke
Many diseased and conditions for which we turn to modern
medicine can also be treated naturally with healing herbs,
medicinal food, other natural remedies--and these treatments
can be safer, less expensive and possibly even more effective
than traditional methods. Dr. James Duke, the world's leading
authority on healing herbs, leads you through the vast world
of natural remedies--from Anise for Asthma to Violet for
Varicose Veins, and everything in between. With just a few
trips to the health-food store, the supermarket, or your
own backyard--and with the help of Dr. Duke--you'll have
everything you need to create your own Natural Medicine Cabinet.
Learn
more...
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Herbal Medicine
R. F. Weiss, Volker Fintelmann
With the new contribution of Dr. Volker Fintelmann, Weiss's
classic text on Herbal Medicine has been expanded and refocused
to meet the needs of practicing physicians, residents, students,
and other clinicians.
Arranged by organ system, the book's clear structure and
scientific orientation make the topic of herbal medicine
accessible to even the most traditional medical doctor. You
will benefit from the newest research, clinical studies,
and the pivotal findings of the German Commission E on the
efficacy of herbs.
Special features include:
• In-depth coverage of the state-of-the-art of phytotherapy
• Key prescription information highlighted in each
chapter
• Superb colour photographs throughout the text
• Two new quick reference sections that maximize your
access to the material -- by herbs and the disorder they
are used for, and by disorder and the herbs used in its treatment
Learn
more...
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More
Herbal Medicine Books
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