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Alternative Therapies |
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:: Herbal Medicine
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Herbal Medicine is a traditional medicinal or folk medicine
practice based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Herbal
Medicine is also known as botanical medicine, medical herbalism,
herbology, and phytotherapy. Sometimes the scope of herbal
medicine is extended to include fungi and bee products, as well as
minerals, shells and certain animal parts Herbal medicine, also
called botanical medicine or phytomedicine, refers to the use of a
plant's seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers for
medicinal purposes. Long practiced outside of conventional
medicine, herbalism is becoming more mainstream as improvements in
analysis and quality control along with advances in clinical
research show their value in the treatment and prevention of
disease.
History of herbal medicine
Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before
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history. For example, ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus
writings describe medicinal plant uses. Indigenous cultures (such
as African and Native American) used herbs in their healing
rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (such
as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal
therapies were used systematically. Scientists found that people
in different parts of the globe tended to use the same or similar
plants for the same purposes.
In the early 19th century, when methods of chemical analysis first
became available, scientists began extracting and modifying the
active ingredients from plants. In the U.S. Later, chemists began
making their own version of plant compounds, beginning the
transition from raw herbs to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Over time,
the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of pharmaceuticals.
Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of
people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their
primary health care. In the last 20 years in the United States,
increasing public dissatisfaction with the cost of prescription
medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or
organic remedies, has led to an increase in the use of herbal
medicines. In Germany, roughly 600 - 700 plant-based medicines are
available and are prescribed by approximately 70% of German
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How do herbs work?
For most herbs, the specific ingredient that causes a
therapeutic effect is not known. Whole herbs contain many
ingredients, and it is likely that they work together to produce
the desired medicinal effect. Many factors determine how effective
an herb will be. For example, the type of environment (climate,
bugs, soil quality) in which a plant grew will affect its
components, as will how and when it was harvested and processed.
How are herbs used?
The use of herbal supplements for medicinal purposes has increased
dramatically over the past 30 years. Herbal supplements are
classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplement
Health and Education Act (DSHEA) of 1994. The FDA defines a
dietary supplement as "...any product taken by mouth that contains
a so-called 'dietary ingredient' and its label clearly states that
it is a dietary supplement." Per the provisions of DSHEA, herbal
supplements -- unlike
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pharmaceutical drugs -- can be marketed without undergoing testing
to prove their safety and efficacy. However, herbal supplements
must be manufactured according to good manufacturing practices.
The most commonly used herbal supplements in the U.S. include
echinacea (Echinacea purpurea and related species), St. John's
wort (Hypericum perforatum), ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba), garlic (Allium
sativum), saw palmetto (Serenoa repens), ginseng (Panax ginseng,
or Asian ginseng; and Panax quinquefolius, or American ginseng),
goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis), valerian (Valeriana officinalis),
kava (Piper methysticum), chamomile (Matricaria recutita),
feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium), ginger (Zingiber officinale),
evening primrose (Oenothera biennis), and milk thistle (Silybum
marianum ).
Several herbs are often used together to enhance effectiveness and
synergistic actions and to reduce toxicity. Health care providers
must take many things into account when recommending herbs. For
example, the species and variety of the plant, the plant's
habitat, how it was stored and processed, and whether or not there
are contaminants (including heavy metals and pesticides). |
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Popularity
A survey released in May 2004 by the National Center for
Complementary and Alternative Medicine focused on who used
complementary and alternative medicines (CAM), what was used, and
why it was used. The survey was limited to adults, aged 18 years
and over during 2002, living in the United States.
According to this survey, herbal therapy, or use of natural
products other than vitamins and minerals, was the most commonly
used CAM therapy (18.9%) when all use of prayer was excluded.
Herbal remedies are very common in Europe. In Germany, herbal
medications are dispensed by apothecaries (e.g., Apotheke).
Prescription drugs are sold alongside essential oils, herbal
extracts, or herbal teas. Herbal remedies are seen by some as a
treatment to be preferred to chemical medications which have been
industrially produced. |
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In the United Kingdom, the training of medical herbalists is done
by state funded Universities. For example, Bachelor of Science
degrees in herbal medicine are offered at Universities such as
University of East London, Middlesex University, University of
Central Lancashire, University of Westminster, University of
Lincoln and Napier University in Edinburgh at the present.
Herbal medicine good for
Herbal medicine treats many conditions, such as asthma, eczema,
premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, menopausal
symptoms, chronic fatigue, and irritable bowel syndrome, among
others. Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a
trained health care provider. Be sure to consult with your doctor
or pharmacist before self-treating. |
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Herbal Medicine are offered at Sunrise
Health Resort. Highly motivated and committed team of doctors and
practitioners ensure the highest levels in the quality of
treatment and medicinal preparations. The special health and
beauty care packages are specifically designed to treat modern day
maladies.
For more details and cost of this Treatment
please send us your Query or
e-mail !
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Visit also
▪
Ayurveda
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Naturopathy
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Alternative Therapies
▪
Holistic
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