Medicinal Herbs

Medicinal herbs are nature's healing gift to human kind. Herbs have been used medicinally throughout history by almost all the cultures of our world. But with the growth of mainstream medicine over the last 200 years, we have lost our deep connection with herbal remedies and we have lost the healthful balance that is the natural result of being in harmony with nature.

Before we delve into a consideration of some medicinal herbs, let's have a brief look at today's conventional answers to health problems, which may help enlighten the path to herbal health choices.

The Role of Conventional Medicine in a Healthy Life

Conventional or traditional medicine has an illness-based approach to health - we rarely visit a physician to simply be healthier. We only attend our doctor's surgery when we have symptoms of some kind, and not if we simply wish to improve and optimize our health.

So, unfortunately, today's standard medical approach is not health centered. While it undoubtedly has highly complex technologic tools for diagnosing the health problems, and a multitude of synthetic chemical compounds to battle with disease symptoms, it nevertheless, it has little help to offer is in reaching optimum health.

Taking a Holistic View with Medicinal Herbs

Herbal medicine treats the human body in a holistic way, and does not approach each part of the body in isolation. Illness is the result of an imbalance in the whole person, and unlike in standard medicine, all the various parts of a medicinal herb are used in treating the person, illustrating again the holistic nature of this approach. This approach does not focus on illness alone; rather the goal is to create optimum health, and well-being and to prevent disease from developing.

Is There Any Potential Danger in Using Herbs?

Many health experts warn us about the potential dangers to our health of herbal medicines, pointing out that natural does not mean "safe". This is, of course, very true.

Natural does not mean that we can use any medicinal herb indiscriminately. We must respect the efficacy of these substances as we would any prescription medication. Natural simply means that, when used wisely, these herbs will work on human body in a harmonious way. They have the natural ability to help the body to heal illnesses and prevent possible diseases by strengthening the body's own healing power.

We need the introduction of some basic usage guidelines for herbs and herbal supplement products in order to eliminate any risk. While we might generally say that herbal medicines are safer than conventional drugs, we should still guard against any potential pitfalls by using these products wisely.

Using Medicinal Herbs and Herbal Supplement Products

When you introduce herbs into your life, you can use them in their natural form or as an herbal mixture. You can also promote your health by choosing herbal supplements products.

Using medicinal herbs in any form will be beneficial to your health. And while neither nutritional nor herbal supplements can replace the nutritional benefits of eating a healthy balanced diet, nutritional supplements that include herbal extracts, used as a part of a healthy lifestyle can bring you one step closer to reaching optimum health.

It is vital to be cautious about choosing nutritional/herbal supplement products. As studies show, many herbal and nutritional supplement products do not contain the active ingredients they claim on the label. Worse, they might also contain other harmful substances that will be detrimental to your health.

More Medicinal Herbs Related Articles

Benefits of Aloe Vera - This is a potent herb that is used to treat burns, wounds and skin disorders. It is also effective in fighting infections.

Benefits of Licorice - Discover how the health benefits of licorice can improve your health and well being.

Bitter Orange Extract - Though less used, bitter orange extract has its own fair share of benefits that can compel you to take a second look.

Valerian Extract Benefits - Valerian extract, the fluid form, has certain benefits over teas and capsules. Here is an in-depth explanation of how valerian works and how you can choose the most economical form.

Valerian Side Effects - Valerian used by itself usually does not cause side effects. Valerian used with prescription drugs, especially after changes in prescription drugs, may cause predictable problems. Here is what you need to know about dosing and side effects for this sleep-inducing herb.

Benfotiamine Benefits - Benfotiamine is the supplement most type 2 diabetics have never heard of but most type 2 diabetics need. This extra-potent form of vitamin B1 has a variety of effects that help keep complications of type 2 diabetes in control.

Benfotiamine Side Effects - Benfotiamine is a form of thiamine, also known as vitamin B1 that is more completely absorbed by the body. It is an extraordinarily safe nutritional supplement that has never caused a known side effect, although there is one group of people who should not use it.

Echinacea Side Effects - Echinacea is nearly free of side effects. You still need to choose the right form of echinacea for the right application, and there are certain medications that you should not take with echinacea.

Elderberry Benefits - Elderberry (also known by its botanical name, Sambucus nigra) is one of the most effective of all natural remedies and preventatives for the flu. It works well if it's the only defensive measure you take for influenza protection, but some other changes in diet and supplements also help.

Guggul Extract - Guggul is the Ayurvedic herbal medicine that scientists often describe as a "promiscuous" natural steroid. It interacts in many different ways with many different compounds in the body, so using it for predictable results takes a little planning. Here is what you need to know to use this herb beneficially.

Bacopa Extract - A bacopa extract offers a lot of benefits, one of which is proper nourishment of the nerves and brain.

Herbal Ginkgo Biloba - Herbal ginkgo biloba is one of the most researched herbs and its amazing benefits have been proven.

Siberian Ginseng Benefits - There are a lot of Siberian ginseng benefits you can take advantage of--from immunity to sexual function.

Stinging Nettle Remedy - A stinging nettle remedy is more ideal for men who are losing hair or suffering from enlargement of their prostate.

Foods with Plant Sterols and Stanols - Exercise is useless without observing the proper diet. The same holds true, vice versa. You should be well informed about what food and food supplements are recommended to keep you healthy.

Boswellia Serrata - One of the most memorable Christmas stories is the gifts of the Three Kings, including gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Treasured for over 2, 000 years, Boswellia serrata is the frankincense of the Christmas story.

Turmeric - Turmeric and the antioxidant curcumin in it have hundreds of health applications that have been verified in hundreds of scientific studies. This article tells you the ways turmeric and curcumin relate to other healthy foods and health supplements you may already use, and how you can support recovery from dozens of different conditions of inflammation with the help of turmeric.

Echinacea Benefits - Now eclipsed by zinc lozenges and zinc sprays, echinacea used to be the herb of choice for preventing and treating colds and flu, especially in children. Echinacea is still a great addition to the family medicine cabinet for treating infections, and it also has applications in treating other kinds of infection and inflammation and even cancer.

Policosanol Supplement - Policosanol is the sugar cane-derived nutritional supplement that normalizes cholesterol and other aspects of cardiovascular function without side effects. I don't usually describe supplements with superlatives, but policosanol is probably the single most useful supplement for supporting heart health.

Red Yeast Rice - Red yeast rice is a controversial remedy for high cholesterol, but it is also a basic ingredient in both Chinese cuisine and traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Going beyond the controversy, this article explains how red yeast rice is really used in cooking and healing and the three things you need to do make sure it works for you for lowering cholesterol.

Olive Leaf Extract Benefits - Olive oil is the mainstay of the Mediterranean diet. Olive leaf is an astonishingly powerful natural antibacterial that fights many different bacterial and non-bacterial infections.

What is Arnica - Arnica is one of the most popular homeopathic remedies known today. Here is some basic information you need to know about Arnica.

Bilberry Extract - Bilberry helps to treat visual disorders, urinary tract infections, kidneys stones, and diarrhoea.

Bilberry Side Effects - Though bilberry side effects can be detrimental to your health, you can generally avoid them by following certain rules.

Wild Yam Benefits - Wild yam is one of those herbs that are great for women's problems. It can help balance hormones and is a valuable herb in various stages of a woman's life including menstruation and pregnancy.

Saw Palmetto - Saw palmetto extract is the best known remedy for prostate health. It's not necessarily for every man, but it's the best natural remedy for some men. Here's how to tell if saw palmetto extract is for you.

Andrographis Paniculata - Modern science has been taking a second look at Andrographis, a traditional herb of India and Pakistan used for treating "diseases that are not quite diseases." It turns out that this ancient herb really does work for colds and flu, and also for a lot more.

Beta Glucan - We have all heard of the healthy properties of eating oatmeal, but the simple fact is that eating hearty home-cooked oat bran cereal each and every morning 365 days a year just is not possible. Beta glucan provides the goodness of oats without all the pot scrubbing. But oat beta-glucans are just a small part of the beta-glucans used in effective nutritional supplements. And beta glucans aren't just about lowering cholesterol.

Benefits of Ginseng - This was used in ancient cultures to rejuvenate the entire body and to enhance general health.

Bilberry Benefits - Men and women can look forward to a much healthier and better life with bilberry benefits.

Black Cohosh Extract - Black Cohosh is a great herb for women's complaints such as PMS and menopause. In this article you will find information on using it correctly, including common uses, dosage, and side effects.

Black Cohosh Side Effects - Any wise consumer should be very much aware about black cohosh side effects. This is how you can protect your health more effectively.

Black Cohosh Benefits - The list of black cohosh benefit is pretty comprehensive; moreover, you can take advantage all of them by taking the right supplement.

Blue Cohosh Extract - When you broaden your knowledge about blue cohosh extract, you will know how you can make the most out of it.

Benefits Of Ginger - Discover the many health benefits of ginger root such as curing nausea and helping with digestive problems.

Benefits of Green Tea Extract - The benefits of green tea extract have been known for centuries before modern science confirmed them.

Red Clover - The benefits of red clover extract are broad; they can be used by women in controlling hormones and by men in lowering their PSA level.

Red Yeast Rice for Cholesterol - Red yeast rice is an effective remedy for high cholesterol, every bit as effective as the prescription statin medication lovastatin. In fact, red yeast rice contains naturally occurring lovastatin, the same chemical that is used to make the prescription drug.