What is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal Medicine has been used and practiced long before pharmaceutical discoveries and continues to be a popular choice to treat health concerns. Herbs from plants are used to treat a patient's individual health needs. It might come as a surprise but many established medicines are developed from plants, for example: poppies produce the main ingredient of the painkiller morphine.

How do Herbal Medicines work?

Herbal Medicine uses the whole herb unlike many conventional medicines that single out an active ingredient of a plant and reproduce it in a laboratory. Herbalists use the entire components of the herbs; they believe the harmony represented in the plant will transfer into optimal success in treating ailments.

The success of an herb is determined by many components; the climate, the manner in which they are harvested, bugs, soil quality etc... Once harvested Herbal Medicine can embody several forms:

• Oils
• Teas
• Juices
• Creams
• Tablets
• Syrup
• Tinctures

Uses of Herbal Medicine

Some believe that Herbal Medicine can treat anything but the following are some common uses of specific herbs:

• St. Johns Wart is used to relive mild to moderate depression
• Echinacea is used to treat the common cold, flu like symptoms and repertory infections
• Valerian helps with sleep problems
• Black Cohosh is used to help relieve menstrual symptoms
• Garlic could lower blood cholesterol and help prevent heart disease
• Ginger may help subside effects of nausea and vomiting
• Evening Primrose can help with Rheumatoid arthritis and Hyperactivity
• Feverfew helps dull the pain of migraines
• Zemaphyte helps Atopic Eczema

What to expect from a session

Herbalists offer personalized Herbal Medicine. A session with an Herbalist will probably last an hour or longer. The Herbalist will ask questions about your health, medical history, lifestyle, diet and they might perform a physical. Once the Herbalist has determined your treatment they will create a personal Herbal Medicine specifically designed to individually treat you. Along with the Herbal Medicine an Herbalist might suggest changes to your lifestyle and diet.

You can treat your own symptoms by buying Herbal Medicines from Herbal shops, pharmacies and some supermarkets.

How to find an Herbalist?

It's important to choose a well known and highly recommended Herbalist. There are several organizations that can help you find the Herbalist that is right for you. Examples of well known organizations:

• The National Institute of Medical Herbalists

http://www.nimh.org.uk/

• The American Herbalists Guild

http://www.americanherbalistsguild.com

• The American Association of Neuropathic Physicians

http://www.naturopathic.org/

• British Herbal Medicine Association

http://www.bhma.info/frame.htm