Understanding Herbal Medicine

[Guest guest]

Good Morning!

 

Understanding Herbal Medicine

 

Herbology is the study of plants, herbs, minerals and supplements

used in the growing, cultivating and harvesting of the natural world.

Holistically, we use natural plants or plant-based substances to

treat a wide range of illness and disease in order to enhance the

functioning of the body's system. Herbs are prescribed by a range of

practitioners, from naturopaths to acupuncturists to holistic

practitioners. For more than 5000 years, herbal medicine has long

been the apothecary of the world. Folklore and ancient recipes have

been past down for centuries.

 

Mayan, Ayurvedic, Tibetan and Chinese cultures have been developing,

improving and perfecting health-promoting herbal recipes. More than

80,000 herbal prescriptions are recorded, whose precise quantities

and proportions are crucial to their efficacy. Nowadays, research

studies are being done on some of these herbs, herbal combinations

and formulas. Many of today's wonder drugs were derived from

traditional herbal formulations.

 

One of the characteristics of Asian herbology is that most herbs are

used in prescriptions with 3 or more additional herbs. There are

sometimes 10 or more herbs in a single prescription. Many assistant

herbs cooperate with a major ingredient (or chief herb) in a

combination to produce a better effect on one particular organ or

condition. The chief herb " rules " the prescription and has the

primary effect on the dis-eased condition. The assistant herbs help

to synergistically increase the effect of the chief herb, to treat an

illness, as well as, " supervise " the function of other herbs.

 

Herbs have been apart of humanity since the dawn of time in the form

of food and is viewed as medicine. One-fourth of allopathic medicines

are still derived from plants or are synthetic copies of substances

originally identified in nature. After centuries of use, herbs

continue to play a vital role in promoting health in modern times.

 

Guidelines

 

The medicinal benefits of herbs have been recorded for centuries.

Egyptian, Roman, Native American, Chinese, Tibetan, Mayan and Hebrews

alike, all have their herbal materia medica of recorded remedies and

cures. Many herbs contain powerful ingredients that, if used

correctly, can help heal the body. By using herbs in their complete

form, the body's healing process utilizes a balance of the

ingredients provided by mother nature.

 

Many herbs are extremely potent. Herbs must be used appropriately.

Therefore, herbs must be use with respect and proper knowledge

because overuse of certain herbs can be deadly! It is also important

to note that since herbs contain active ingredients, be aware that

some elements may interact negatively with prescribed medications!

Therefore, your healthcare professional must be notified if you have

any questions about safety. and As a general rule: some herbs in any

form, should not be taken for more than seven days at a time. Others

herbs are more beneficial with time. The fresh leaves, bark, and

roots of herbs can be used in their natural form or can be found in

dried form and used in capsules, tablets, tinctures, essential oils,

powders, creams, lotions, and salves.

 

 

How to Use Herbs

 

Herbal formulas can be taken in a variety of ways.

 

*You may be prescribed raw herbs. Steep these herbs as teas in order

to release their healing properties. Although Andrew refers to the

herb prescriptions as " tea, " some people find the taste to be a

little less than " delicious. "

 

*Pills and Capsules -These are one form. These are herbs ground into

powder. Herbal formulas tend to be created for a single problem or

nest of related problems and their specific pattern of disharmony.

 

*Tinctures -Herbal remedies are also prescribed in tincture form and

are the previously fresh herb in well preserved, highly concentrated

form. This liquid, as well as, concentrated forms of extracted herbs

are preserved in their freshest form.

 

*Essence -Steam distillation or cold pressing results in herbs as

essential oils.

 

*Poultice are macerated or chopped herbs that are placed directly on

the skin and a hot, moist bandage is applied.

 

*Infusions are used when you are working with the most delicate part

of the herb-the leaves flowers, fruits and seeds. Infusion time can

be approximately 3-5 minutes.

 

 

*Decoctions are used to extract the tougher part of the herb-bark,

berries and roots. Decoction time can be between 45 minutes to 90

minutes.

 

 

Taklng Herbs Internally

 

Herbal medicine is a natural and healing form of therapy that can be

very beneficial, long term. There are common sense precautions that

must be take when using herbal medicine internally.

 

*Never take herbal medicine internally if you are nursing or

pregnant.

 

*If unusual symptoms occur, stop taking the formula and usually

symptoms will disappear rather quickly.

 

*When also on prescribed Western drugs, great care should be taken.

Anti-inflammatory drugs and antibiotics can upset the stomach and

irritate the intestinal tract. Herbal formulas can tax the digestive

tract. Do not take herbal medicine and anti-

inflammatories/antibiotics together at the same time.

 

*Blood thinners prevent clots from forming in the blood vessels.

These are very strong western drugs that must be monitored carefully.

Drugs used to thin the blood, often interfere with herbs for trauma,

since they both have the same action. The combination can interfere

with western drugs and may cause dizziness or fainting. Do not take

blood thinning herbal medicine with western blood thinners.

 

* Heart medications and herbs used for trauma both effect the

circulation of blood. Although these herbs have a different method of

action, in conjunction with heart medication, there can be unwanted

side effects.

 

*Seizure medications work on brain function and in conjunction with

Chinese herbs, should not be taken at the same time and should only

be done under supervision.

 

 

 

Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.

Peacefulmind.com

Therapies for healing

mind, body, spirit