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Herbs and health care have a long history. Natural herbal healing has been used the world over for thousands of years.
Although modern medicine temporarily led the western world away from our innate partnership between herbs and health, interest is rekindling as people realize that most pharmaceuticals do not heal and often come with a high price tag in dollars and side effects. Nature, on the other hand, can heal and manage symptoms. One of her great healers is plants, both as food and medicine.
Researchers are proving what indigenous people have always known. Herbs and health go hand in hand. Studies validate many health advantages of plant foods, trees, spices and natural herb remedies. Some herbs work well alone, or in combination with other herbs. Others work well in combination with pharmaceuticals. They may help the drug work better or make its side effects less troublesome.
A variety of pharmaceutical drugs are made from herbs or are synthetic copies. Two famous examples are aspirin, which was originally made from willow trees, and digitalis from foxglove.
Herbal Medicine for Health and Healing
Herbs are a form of complementary and alternative medicine. In some countries,such as Germany, natural herb remedies are carefully researched, profiled, and prescribed by medical doctors. They are used alone or in combination with pharmaceuticals.
Herbs and spices are used for food and are an important part of spiritual and healing rituals. Herbal healing remedies made from local plants are used for everything from curing the sick to preparing women for childbirth. Mindfully using herbs and spices for medicine and food strengthens your connection with nature. They empower you to nurture and care for yourself naturally.
Traditional herbal medicine is not about this herb for that disease. For example, Saint John's Wort is helpful for some forms of depression, but not all. It also has other actions.
It is also not about this part of a plant for this condition. In traditional herbal healing, wisdom dictated the preparation and use of herbs for health, healing and ritual. Plants were wild crafted, or harvested, reverently. Plants were honored as healing allies and thanked for their gifts of powerful medicine. Parts were not extracted and standardized. You can still find herbs treated and prepared in this way by reputable companies or make your own.
This is in contrast to trying to use herbs like pharmaceuticals. Some medicinal herbs are standardized and processed to the point of being drug like. The problem with this approach is that when compounds are isolated and adjusted for certain properties, you lose the synergistic benefits of the whole plant. You are more likely to experience side effects or no effects. In some countries, herbs prepared in this way are considered prescription pharmaceuticals.
Do you remember when St. John's wort was hailed and sold as a wonder herb for depression and it didn't work? The problem was that the wrong compound was being standardized and some parts discarded. St. John's wort was and is an effective natural healing herb for mild depression, just not the way it was being processed.
You really can't fool Mother Nature.
Types of Herbal Medicine
Herbal healing remedies are comprised of three categories: food, medicine and poison.
- Culinary herbs and spices are a simple way to venture into the realm of herbs and health. They are gentle acting and safe for most people to use regularly without having training in herbalism. You can enjoy this multitude of plants as tea, seasonings, infusions, and as food. Examples are gobo (burdock), cinnamon, ginger, dandelion greens, nettles, lemon balm and turmeric. You may also take them as supplements. These herbs can help you stay healthy and alleviate some symptoms. In quantity, such as herbal infusions, they are nutritive.
- Medicinal herbs are stronger acting and are only used periodically as needed. They are not intended for long-term daily use. It is good to have an understanding of how to use these herbs, for whom, and when. Goldenseal, feverfew and yarrow are three examples.
- Poison medicinal herbs are so called because they cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects when used incorrectly. They are potent medicine which require knowledge and skill to use. Examples include poke root, blood root, chaparral and foxglove. Essential oils also need to be used with care as they are highly concentrated.
Note that any culinary or medicinal plant can cause a reaction in an individual. For most people, valerian is a fabulous sleep remedy. For 10% of the population, it acts as a stimulant. I have an interesting relationship with peppermint. I can eat it and drink the tea with no obvious problem. I can rub peppermint lotion on my temples and neck when I have a headache. If I rub it on my legs, they heat up and rash within minutes. Go figure.
Herbs and Health Benefits
Plants can be used to prevent and treat degenerative diseases, quell inflammation, manage symptoms, ease pain, and improve energy and mood. They aid healing by promoting detoxification and nutrition.
Sometimes herbs are used as simples, or alone, but often they are used in combination. This synergy of two, three or more herbs creates stronger and broader results.
Many plants, such as dandelion, burdock, elderberry and turmeric, have multiple actions, which provides broad spectrum benefits. Astragalus, for example, helps ease the symptoms of cancer treatments, boost the all important immune system, and or directly affect errant cells to help you get well.
Anti-inflammatory herbs ease pain from injuries by blocking pain signals to the brain, reducing inflammation and/or calming your nervous system. They ease health damaging chronic inflammation in the body, making them important for overall health and healing. Anti-inflammatory herbs are also useful as anti-cancer herbs.
Important note: Always review the herbal profile before using medicinal herbs and follow suggested doses. It is usually best to start with the lowest dose. Check for herb-drug interactions if you are on medications or have an upcoming surgery. Negative interactions are not common and number of interactions are positive because they either help the drug work better or ease some of the side effects. Sometimes this is too much of a good thing. For example, if you are on blood thinners you may need to avoid herbs that have the same effect (or ask if you can use the herb instead if you prefer). Some herbs are contra-indicated if you are pregnant or nursing.
