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How Useful is Herbal Medicine for Health Improvements?

Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine

Natural is generally always considered a better option than synthetic. However, nature has provided the world with ways to create medicines and painkillers through synthetic processes. And it has also provided many herbal options to be used in their natural state.

Research has shown that simply being exposed to natural outdoor environments can have a marked effect on mental well-being, as well as boosting vitamin D levels which helps reduce inflammation.

Some ways that nature has provided the medical world are through trees and plants. The weeping willow’s bark contains salicin which is an active ingredient needed to create aspirin, and morphine comes from opium poppies. Penicillin or benzylpenicillin comes from a natural fungus.

It is active ingredients in plants and their roots or flowers that help herbal medicines to exist. And herbs have been utilized over thousands of years.

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang is a powerful blend of herbs that aims to restore balance and vitality in the body. It contains ingredients like astragalus root, ginseng, licorice root, and ginger, which are known for their immune-boosting properties.

A brief history of herbal medicine

There is a lot of proof that plants have been used as far back as 60,000 years in medicine. Architects have unearthed sites that show herbal medicine was in use during the Paleolithic Age.

The Sumerians listed different plants and how they could be used to improve health more than 5,000 years back. And in Ancient China, there are written details of herbal medicine from 2,800 BC. It is commonplace to see traditional Chinese medicine used today, and Blue Poppy Herbal Products advises on how health may be improved from TCM.

Yet, it is the remains of these ancient civilizations that have shown how plants were used originally. Traditional Chinese Medicine has been practiced since the Zhou Dynasty, or perhaps even earlier, and remains highly popular throughout the world.

What kinds of herbal medicine are in use today?

You may have used some form of herbal medicine, Chinese or otherwise, without realizing it. Some natural medicines are so common that you might not consider them to be herbal but simply a healthy addition to your lifestyle.

For instance, you may enjoy herbal tea without considering it to have medicinal properties. Or you may include ginseng or echinacea into your daily routine. These are also popular herbal medicines.

Traditional Chinese medicine can include herbs for a good nights sleep such as licorice and ginger. TCM uses acupuncture, cupping, and massage to also improve people’s health.

Herbal medicine today may use the following, and more besides:

  • Licorice
  • Ginger
  • Ginseng
  • Echinacea
  • John’s Wort
  • Ginkgo Biloba
  • Elderberry
  • Chamomile
  • Turmeric
  • Cinnamon
  • Sage

Herbal medicine is likely to be sold today as supplements, but it can also come as teas as mentioned above. You may also find dried or fresh flowers or herbal medicine in the form of extracts or powders.

What ailments and problems can be improved with herbal medicine?

Not all people believe in the therapeutic powers of herbal medicine. And there have certainly been some outrageous claims at times. However, the image of a snake oil salesman can largely be banished from modern herbal medicine. There is plenty of evidence to suggest that a number of health improvements could be gained through the use of herbal medicine.

The National Library of Medicine reports that around 25% of drugs prescribed around the world are derived from plants. Not only this, but many emerging nations rely heavily on traditional medicines and herbs to treat patients.

While more clinical studies are needed, herbs are currently being used to treat many chronic and acute medical conditions. These include mental health issues as well as physical ailments.

Digestive problems

A common reason for using Chinese herbal medicine is to improve digestion. Patients suffering from IBS can find some relief through the use of peppermint and ginger.

Sleep disorders

Many people find benefits in using sleep therapy for associated disorders. And incorporating herbal medicine can complement this type of therapy. Herbs for aiding sleep include valerian, chamomile, and kava. Lavender essential oil can also be used, and it can be incorporated into a bath bomb for a relaxing soak before bedtime.

Pain relief

A major reason for using traditional Chinese medicine is to reduce inflammation and pain. Acupuncture can help to release pain-relieving endorphins, and herbal medicine can assist too.

You can naturally relieve joint pain with cumin and other herbs. Cumin has natural anti-inflammatory properties. Ginger, cloves, and turmeric may also help with pain relief. Clove oil is particularly useful for toothache and has been used since the 19th century in dentistry and as a home remedy.

Boost immune system

Another common use of herbal medicine is to boost a person’s immune system. Echinacea is said to help ward off colds, and garlic, ginseng, and peppermint may also provide benefits. Garlic has antibacterial properties, while ginseng can help regulate immune cells.

Asthma relief

ASHMI stands for antiasthma simplified herbal medicine intervention. This has been approved as an investigational new drug. Studies have shown that this herbal medicine improves lung function, and results in less need for rescue medicine to be used.

Kidney stones

Anyone who has experienced kidney stones will be able to attest to the pain and discomfort they can cause. The ordinary stinging nettle can be used to make tea to help with urinary tract problems and kidney stones. Alternatively, chanca piedra has been used in traditional medicine to reduce the size of kidney stones. One study showed that about 66% of participants who consumed chanca piedra supplements had smaller and fewer stones at the end of the research period.

Is natural herbal medicine safe to take?

Despite herbal medicine being used for thousands of years, many warn of the possible dangers of misusing these remedies. There is a common saying that just because something is natural it doesn’t guarantee it to be safe. After all, deadly nightshade is natural, as are many mushrooms that contain lethal toxins.

When you take herbal medicine it will have some effect on you. You may experience the results you hoped for such as pain relief, but you could also have some side effects.

Traditional medicines that used quinine have largely been removed by the FDA, so some care needs to be taken when experimenting with herbal or traditional remedies. You can even overdose on vitamins. Therefore, you should do two things when using herbal medicine to improve your health.

Firstly, it is wise to consult your regular doctor, especially if you are on other forms of medicine. Secondly, only buy your herbal medicine from a reputable source. It is rare today, but in the past, certain herbal products were found to be contaminated with undeclared ingredients, some of which are dangerous.

However, herbal medicine is largely considered safe as long as it is used correctly. In the coming times, there are likely to be more clinical studies in this area, and perhaps then the FDA will approve herbal medicines.

Summary

Even if herbal supplements and teas cannot advertise certain health benefits, it is hard to argue with thousands of years of use. From ancient civilizations to today, herbs have been used to treat multiple disorders.

There need to be more trials to gather evidence about the efficacy of many herbs. Nevertheless, without certain plants, many of the drugs used in medicine wouldn’t exist including penicillin and aspirin. You could benefit your health by using herbal supplements, but it would be best to take medical advice first.