Medical Herbs for the Natural Approach to Healing

The use of medical herbs has been documented for centuries and is undoubtedly intertwined with the use of today's remedies. This page will show you how you can use different parts of plants to heal whatever ails you.

Nature is such a positive force. It provides for us and teaches us. In nature everything has a purpose or so it seems. Nature's secrets are exposed to us only thru our patience and observation. That's why we should take the time to protect all of nature's gifts. It truly is a pharmacy, which we should hold great gratitude towards.

Herbal medicine has been around for over 5000 years, but over the last 100 years they have been pushed aside for more modern medicine. There are so many plant sources used for their therapeutic values. That's what an herb is... some part of a plant that can be used for curing something.

Preparation Herbal medicine, also called botanical medicines are prepared from living or dried plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated compounds. Many pharmaceutical drugs are single chemical entities that are highly refined and purified and are often synthesized. The parts of the plants that are used are seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers

Here is a list of some common medical herbs that can be used:

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) - Appears to improves awareness, judgment,and social function in people with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

Kava kava (Piper methysticum) - A treatment for anxiety.

St. John's Wort (Hypericum perforatum) - Antidepressant effects. Used for mild to moderate depression.

Valerian (Valeriana officinalis) - A sleep-inducing agent.

Echinacea - Reduces both the frequency and severity of cold symptoms. Preparations (from Echinacea purpurea and other Echinacea species) bolster immunity.

If you'd like more information, or to locate an experienced herbalist in your area, contact the American Herbalists Guild (AHG) at P.O. Box 70 , Roosevelt , UT 84066 (435-722-8434) or visit their web site.

To locate a licensed naturopath in your area, contact the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) at 601 Valley Street, Suite 105 , Seattle , WA 98109 (206-298-0126) or visit their web site.

Chinese Herbal Medicine

Traditional Chinese herbal medicine focuses on restoring a balance of energy, body, and spirit. Treating a particular disease or medical condition is not done. Instead the practioner restores the whole body flow & balance.

Over 3,200 medical herbs, over 400 formulas & 300 mineral and animal extracts, are used in China 4 to 12 different ingredients can be used in formulas to be taken in the form of teas, pills, tinctures, powders or syrups.

The traditional Chinese practitioner will typically ask about symptoms and examine the patient,focusing on the skin, hair, tongue, eyes, pulses, and voice, in order to detect imbalances in the body. Then a formula is made of the herbs.

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