Herbal Medicines

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Herbal Medicines

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Overview:

Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of health care known to man. Herbs have been used in all cultures since history records were recorded. Herbal medicine has such an extraordinary influence that numerous alternative medicine therapies treat their patients with herbal remedies, including naturopathy, orthomolecular medicine, and ayurveda. Approximately 25 percent of all prescription drugs are derived from trees, shrubs, or herbs.

Description:

Records of Native American, Roman, Egyptian, Persian, and Hebrew medical practices reveal that herbs were used to cure practically every known illness. Herbal remedies come in a variety of different forms: herbal baths, herbal capsules, herbal compresses, herbal douches, herbal electuaries, herbal extracts, herbal implants, herbal oils, herbal poultices and plasters, herbal salves, herbal teas, herbal infusions, herbal ointments, herbal decoctions, and herbal wraps. So, clearly herbal medicine has become a booming industry as well as a therapeutic healing technique. The majority of prescriptions as treatment in herbal medicine are actually mixtures of herbs, plant extracts and other organic substances, rather than just strictly one herb for every disorder, disease, and anomaly.

By using herbs in their complete form, the body's healing process utilizes a balance of ingredients provided by nature. The World Health Organization estimates that of 119 plant-derived pharmaceutical medicines, about 74 percent are used in modern medicine. Much debate has circulated as to whether or not pharmaceutical companies should extract the potent ingredients from the herbs and synthesize their own man-made herbs, or prescibe herbs in their purest form. Most herbalists favor the latter, although all three techniques are now used extensively. They also contend that most herbs are just as effective as drugs, but without the side effects. The part about the reduced side effects is generally true, although, if used inappropriately, some herbs can be very powerful and cause adverse effects (e.g. herbal phen-phen and its reputation of causing heart complications). Qualified herbalists treat herbs with great deference. They are trained to know how to concoct remedies for specific symptoms and diagnoses. Most herbs are beneficial, but since herbs come from plants and some plants are noxious, some herbs can be poisonous if used for long periods of time. In general, most of the bitter-tasting herbs are medicinal herbs. The pleasant-tasting herbs are potentially less toxic and can be used more often and for longer periods of time.

Herbal medicine is also known as botanical medicine (in Europe it is known as phytotherapy or phytomedicine). An herb is a part of a plant that can be used for healing purposes (as a potion or remedy). An herb can be a leaf, a flower, a stem, a seed, a root, a fruit, bark, or any other plant part that can treat wounds, abrasions, cuts, and a number of other conditions. There are an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 plants on earth today. Only about 5,000 of these have been studied for their medicinal applications. The pervasive belief is that there are herbs yet to be discovered that can cure some of the world's most debilitating, life-threatening diseases. Perhaps they can be found in the rain forests of Africa or South America. Maybe in the future, herbs will replace antibiotics and prescription drugs as widespread treatment. Most likely, as herbal medicine goes, so goes alternative medicine in general. All of this is speculation. However, one thing is for sure: there is still a significant amount yet to be learned about the intrinsic value of herbs, the ingredients that compose them, and the many herbs which have not yet been discovered.


Method:

Herbs contain a large number of naturally occurring chemicals that have biological activity. Herbs work in a similar fashion to antibiotics, pharmaceutical drugs, and that is why there has been such a stirring furor about the pros and cons of both. In this debate, both drugs and herbs have been compared many times over. Herbal medicine is the most beneficial when it is used to cure chronic, ongoing diseases. Quick-acting herbs is a common misconception because herbs take an indirect route to the bloodstream and target organs, they often reach their chosen destination slower than many drugs (which take direct routes). However, this is not the case with all herbs, especially if they are taken in large quantities. If chosen skillfully, they can treat multitude of conditions (see common cures) with few or no negative side effects.

Common cures:

Spotlight on Important Herbs (25) -- Their Health Benefits:

alfalfa
Alkalizes and detoxifies the body. Eases inflammation, lowers cholesterol, balances hormones. Good for anemia, bleeding-related disorders, bone and joint disorders, colon and digestive disorders, skin disorders, and ulcers.

aloe vera
Heals burns and wounds; stimulates cell regeneration, and has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Good for AIDS and for skin and digestive disorders.

cayanne (Capsicum annuum, hot pepper, red pepper)
Aids digestion, improves circulation, and stops bleeding from ulcers. Good for the heart, kidneys, lungs, pancreas, spleen, and stomach. Useful for arthritis and rheumatism. Can ward off colds, sinus infections, and sore throats.

chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
An anti-inflammatory, appetite stimulant, digestive aid. Helps colitis, diverticulitis, fever, headaches, and pain. Is a remedy for stress and anxiety, indigestion, and insomnia.

cinnamon
Only the bark of cinnamon is used as a remedy. Relieves diarrhea and nausea; counteracts congestion; aids the peripheral circulation of the blood. Useful for digestive problems, diabetes, weight loss, yeast infecton, and uterine hemorrhaging.

echinacea (Ecinacea angustifolia or purple coneflower)
Has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Good for immune system and lymphatic system because it stimulates white blood cells. Useful for colic, colds, flu, and snakebites.

ephedra (Ephedra sineca, Ma-huang)
Acts as a decongestant, stimulates the central nervous system. Should not be taken by those who suffer from anxiety disorder (panic attacks), glaucoma, heart disease, or high blood pressure. Useful for allergies, asthma, colds, respiratory conditions, depression and obesity.

eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata)
Found primarily in Australia, it clears congestion, reduces swelling by helping to increase blood flow. Recommended for external use only, it should not be used on open cuts or wounds. Good for colds, coughs, and respiratory disorders.

feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium, featherfew, featherfoil)
Chewing the leaves is a folk remedy, but it may cause mouth sores. Stimulates the appetite and utering contractions. Increases the fluidity of lung and bronchial tube mucus. Good for arthritis, colitis, fever, headaches, menstrual problems, muscle tension, pain.

garlic (Allium sativum)
Lowers blood pressure and improves circulation. Detoxifies the body and protects against infection by enhancine immune function. Aids in the treatment of arteriosclerosis, arthritis, asthma, cancer, circulatory problems, colds and flu, digestive problems, heart disorders, insomnia, liver disease, sinusitis, ulcer, yeast infections, and virtually any type of infection.

ginger (Zingiber officinalis)
Cleanses the colon, stimulates circulation. A strong antioxidant and effective antimicrobial agent. Useful for bowel disorders, circulatory problems, fever, hot flashes,indigestion, morning sickness, motion sickness, nausea, and vomiting.

gingko (Ginkgo biloba)
Only taken from the leaves of plants, ginkgo improves brain functioning by increasing cerebral blood flow, circulation, and oxygenation. Good for depression, headaches, memory loss, tinnitis (ringing in the ears), asthma, eczema, and heart and kidney disorders.

ginseng (Panax ginseng, Oriental ginseng; Panax quinquefolius,American ginseng)
Only taken from the roots of plants, ginseng is taken by athletes to improve strength and performance. It strengthens the adrenal and reproductive glands. Useful for bronchitis, circulatory problems, diabetes, infertility, lack of energy, and stress. Enhances immune function, promotes lung functioning and stimulates the appetite. Siberian ginseng belongs to a different botanical family than American and Korean ginseng, but the properties and uses of all three are similar.

goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
Acts as an antibiotic, cleanses the body, has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties; strengthens the immune system. Promotes functioning capacity of the colon, liver, pancreas, spleen, and lymphatic and respiratory systems. Decreases uterine bleeding, reduces blood pressure, and stimulates the central nervous system. Good for inflammation, ulcers, infectious disease, as well as for disorders affecting the bladder, prostate, stomach, or .

hawthorn (Crataegus oxyacantha)
Lowers cholesterol levels and restores heart muscle. Useful for anemia, cardiovascular and circulatory disorders, and lowered immunity. Increases intracellular vitamin C levels.

hops (Humulus lupulus)
Placed inside a pillowcase, aids sleep. Good for heightened anxiety, cardiovascular disorders, hyperactivity, insomnia, nervousness, pain, restlessness, sexually transmitted diseases, shock, stress,toothaches, and ulcers. Acts as a relaxant, calming people.

licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Cleanses the colon and promotes adrenal gland function. Has estrogen- and progesterone-like effects; may change the pitch of voice. Beneficial for allergic disorders, asthma, chronic fatigue, depression, emphysema, fever, herpesvirus infection, hypoglycemia, and inflammatory bowel disorders.

milk thistle (Silybum marianum, Mary thistle, wild artichoke)
Contains some of the most potent liver-protecting substances known. Acts as an antioxidant; protects the kidneys. Good for bowel disorders, weakened immune system, and all liver disorders, such as jaundice and hepatitis. Beneficial for psoriasis.

nettle (Urtica dioica or stinging nettle)
A diuretic (increases the production and elimination of urine), expectorant (stimulates the removal of mucous from the lungs), pain reliever, and tonic (nurtures and enlivens). Good for anemia, arthritis, hay fever, allergic disorders, kidney problems, malabsorption syndrome. Improves goiter, inflammatory conditions.

passion flower (Passiflora incarnata, maypop)
Acts as a sedative. Helpful for anxiety, hyperactivity, insomnia, neuritis, and stress-related disorders. Should not be used in high doses during pregnancy.

peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Enhances absorption by increasing stomach acidity. Useful for chills, colic, diarrhea, headache, heart trouble, indigestion, nausea, poor appetite, rheumaism, and spasms. May interfere with iron absorption.

St. John's wort (Hypericum perforatum)
May help to inhibit viral infections, including HIV and herpes. Good for depression and nerve pain. Can cause heightened sun sensitivity in fair-skinned individuals if taken internally in large amounts. Interferes with absorption of iron and other minerals.

saw palmetto (Serenoa repens)
Acts as a diuretic and urinary antiseptic. Stimulates the appetite. Good for prostate disorders. May enhance sexual functioning and desire. Saw palmetto extracts have been approved in France and Germany for treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

valerian (Valeriana officinalis)
Improves circulation and acts as a sedative. Good for anxiety, fatigue, high blood pressure, insomnia, irritable bowel syndrome, menstrual cramps, muscle cramps, nervousness, pain, spasms, stress, and ulcers.

witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Applied topically, has astringent (binding action on mucous membranes, skin, and other tissue; reduces irritation and inflammation) properties, and relieves itching. Good for hemorrhoids and phlebitis. Very useful in skin care.


Application:

Herbs are utilized in more than a quarter of the alternative therapies for treatment after diagnosis. Traditional Chinese medicine, ayurveda, and western medicine all have distinctly different systems of herbology. The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes that 80 percent of the world population is dependent on conventional medicine for primary health care. Herbal medicine constitutes a large part of what is practiced as traditional medicine around the world.


Modern medicine's perspective:

The demand for herbal medicine has decreased in the United States because Americans have become so reliant on synthetic, commercial drugs for swift, easy fix-it pain relief, regardless of their side effects, which often aren't realized for days, weeks, months, or even years later. For the most part, modern medicine has been reluctant to use pure herbs in its treatment of disease and other health disorders. Research into the field of herbal medicine has slowed of late due to the high cost of conducting research. The demand for an alternative to synthetic and pharmaceutical drugs, however, has risen over the years.

Case Studies:


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#1: A thirty-eight-year-old female patient sought help from Mary Bove, N.D., L.M., head of the Department of Botanical Medicine at Bastyr College of Natural Health Sciences, in Seattle, Washington. The woman had had a ten-year-old case of colitis. Dr. Bove gave her digestive nervines and tonic herbs like catnip, lemon balm, and tilia flowers. The doctor then added some herbs for gut healing when the woman's conditions began to improve. Within three days, she went from eleven bowel movements per day to two per day.

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#2: A forty-two-year-old woman with rheumatoid arthritis who was confined to a wheelchair with extreme chronic pain consulted with David Hoffmann, B.Sc., M.N.I.M.H., past President of the American Herbalists Guild. She was treated with herbal medicine to ease her digestive problems and medications to help her sleep. She was then started on a program that enabled her her to completely abandon the wheelchair after six months. Though she still had some arthritic pain, she was able to live with it comfortably. Her pain never disrupted her ability to function in society again.

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#3: John Sherman, N.D., of the Portland Naturopathic Clinic in Oregon treated a woman complaining of heart palpitations. She told Dr. Sherman that the drugs she had been taking for heart arrythmia were draining her energy. Dr. Sherman prescribed a combination herbal tincture of cactus, hawthorn, valerian, and lily of the valley. He also analyzed her diet to determine what minerals she was absorbing in great quantities, which are known for affecting the heart; these include calcium, potassium, and sodium. Even with this treatment, the woman still felt heart palpatations. So, Dr. Sherman decided to change the ineffectual formula by adding scotch broom. Within a few days, she happily reported the absence of any heart symptoms and was able to slowly wean herself off the prescription.


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