Healing Herbs and Spices
Ready to spice up your daily routine and boost your health? Before you raid the medicine aisle at your local drugstore, loot the spice rack in your kitchen! You’re likely to find a number of natural ways to enhance your overall wellness from the inside out with healing herbs and spices!
What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures. It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and wellbeing.
Some herbs have potent (powerful) ingredients and should be taken with the same level of caution as pharmaceutical medications. In fact, many pharmaceutical medications are based on man-made versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants.
Active ingredients and herbal medicine
Herbal medicines contain active ingredients. Above all, the active ingredients of many herbal preparations are as yet unknown. Some pharmaceutical medications are based on a single active ingredient derived from a plant source. Practitioners of herbal medicine believe that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe if used in isolation from the rest of the plant.
Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, but meadowsweet naturally contains other compounds that prevent irritation from salicylic acid.
According to herbal medicine practitioners, the effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts. Critics argue that the nature of herbal medicine makes it difficult to give a measured dose of an active ingredient.
Medicinal uses for specific herbs
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance so that it can heal itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body.
The best part about incorporating these natural ingredients into your daily routine? You probably already have them on hand. If you don’t, chances are you can snatch them up at any grocery store without emptying your bank account.
Some herbs in herbal medicine, and their traditional uses, include:
-Echinacea – Firstly, it stimulates the immune system and aids the body in fighting infection. Above all, it is used to treat ailments such as boils, fever, and herpes.
-Dong Quai (dang GUI) – is used for gynecological complaints such as premenstrual tension, menopause symptoms, and period pain. Some studies indicate that dong Quai can lower blood pressure.
-Garlic – is used to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering levels of blood fats and cholesterol (a type of blood fat). The antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic mean that it is also used to fight colds, sinusitis, and other respiratory infections.
-Ginger – many studies have shown ginger to be useful in treating nausea, including motion sickness and morning sickness.
-Ginkgo biloba – is commonly used to treat poor blood circulation and tinnitus (ringing in the ears).
-Ginseng – is generally used to treat fatigue, for example during recovery from illness. It is also used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however, overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure.
-Hypericum perforatum – Commonly known as St John’s Wort. Studies have suggested that St John’s Wort is just as effective as some pharmaceutical antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. It is also used for anxiety and insomnia. However, St John’s can interact with a number of prescription medications, including the oral contraceptive pill, and stop them from working properly.
Do not self-diagnose ailments
It is very important that people do not self-diagnose any health conditions. Any medication (herbal or otherwise) should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable and qualified practitioner.
Herbal medicines may produce negative effects that can range from mild to severe, including:
-allergic reactions and rashes
-asthma
-headaches
-nausea
-vomiting
-diarrhea.
Contact the professional association for your chosen therapy and ask for a list of members in your area.
Many people believe that products labeled “natural” are always safe and good for them. This is not necessarily true. Healing Herbs and Spices do not have to go through the testing that drugs do. Some herbs, such as comfrey and ephedra, can cause serious harm. Some herbs can interact with prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
If you are thinking about using herbal medicine, first get information on it from reliable sources. Similarly, make sure to tell your health care provider about any herbal medicines you are taking.
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Adapted From: Better Health Channel