WHY DO PEOPLE TRY HERBAL THERAPY?
One reason is that they're searching for self care and disease prevention techniques in a time of soaring health care costs. Also people who are in good health, herbal remedies offer opportunities for staying well. Taking ginseng capsules, for instance, may help people stay mentally alert when they're coping with the stresses of working too hard. And drinking a cup of lemon balm tea, a natural relaxant, can relieve stress and calm you down. Bruises to swelling, sprains, cuts, colds, fevers, minor burns, and rashes respond well to herbal treatments There are also effective herbal therapies for women's problems, including premenstrual syndrome, infertility, irregular periods, menstrual cramps, menopausal symptoms, and vaginal infections.
Herbal remedies form a strong first line in defense against colds, flues, and other infectious diseases. Unlike antibiotics, herbs can be used to treat both bacterial and viral infections. Herbal therapy has another benefit as well. For people who are taking potent prescription drugs with lots of side effects, herbs provide safer, gentler alternatives. Valerian, for instance, is an effective, non addictive alternative to prescription sleeping pills. For motion sickness, ginger is a good alternative to antihistamines, which can cause drowsiness, and to the scopolamine patch, which can cause dry mouth. Ginger has no significant side effects. And herbal remedies sometimes work when Western medical treatments fail. They're great for treating urinary tract infections, digestive problems, menstrual cramps, coughs, colds, skin rashes, allergies, chronic fatigue all kinds of immune system problems.
When it comes to treating serious illnesses such as heart disease, cancer, and auto immune disorders, many medical doctors are prescribing herbal remedies to be used in conjunction with mainstream medical techniques. For instance, herbs such as ginger, peppermint, papaya, and fennel can help reduce the nausea caused by chemotherapy. Irish moss can thin the blood, and hawthorn berry, rosemary, and motherwort can improve circulation in people with heart disease. (When using herbs in the treatment of major health problems, you must consult with a health professional.)
It's important to remember that herbs are medicines. As with any medication, it's important to know how to take herbs, how frequently, and in what dosage. Many people are guided by magazines and books. It's also a good idea to ask for advice from health professionals, including M.D.'s and R.N.'s who have an interest in herbal therapy, naturopathic doctors (N.D.'s), who specialize in prescribing herbs, and herbalists, who are usually self-trained and often very knowledgeable. Be sure to ask them about side effects or possible interactions with other drugs that you might be taking. No matter what you do, however, you must be aware that just because it's natural doesn't mean it's always safe. Most herbal remedies are, but a few can be quite dangerous, especially when used in combination wit prescription or over-the-counter drugs or when used by people with preexisting health problems. Herbs don't necessarily work quickly for chronic health problems. For some long-term conditions, you may need to take an herbal remedy for at least three months before you see results. Most people who don't get results with herbs make the mistake of giving up too soon. They don't wait long enough, and they don't take enough of the herb for it to be effective. Used wisely, in the context of a healthy lifestyle that includes a nutritious diet and regular exercise, herbal remedies may be just the boost your body needs to keep you feeling vital and to protect you from illnesses.
Some people believe that all herbal products are safe. This is far from true. Although this is not a complete list of unsafe plants, those mentioned deserve special attention.
Herbal Therapies
For treating burns:
Try fresh aloe vera for burns. Studies show that aloe Vera helps new cells form and hastens healing. It is suggested keeping a plant on a sunny windowsill for treating minor (first degree) burns. To use, cut open one of the plant's fleshy leaves and squeeze out the clear gel, applying it directly to the affected area three or four times a day. Aloe vera heals best in the open air, so leave the burn uncovered.
For treating colds:
Garlic can help prevent colds and help reduce symptoms because it contains a potent antibiotic called Allicin, which is released when cloves of garlic are chopped, crushed, or chewed. You can add raw garlic to foods as a preventive measure, or you can buy garlic supplements, which are available in most health food stores (and in many drugstores, too). The best supplemental form is enteric-coated capsules, which are easier for the body to absorb. follow label directions for dosage; a typical dosage is 300 milligrams daily for as long as symptoms persist.
For treating cuts, scrapes, and scratches:
Keep an aloe vera plant on your windowsill, it's a living first-aid kit. When you get a cut, scratch, or scrape, you just break off one of the plant's fleshy leaves, squeeze out a little of the cool, colorless gel from the center of the leaf, and apply it directly to the affected area. Reapply three or four times a day for maximum healing. Aloe vera seals off the injury, relieves pain, and helps cuts and scrapes heal more quickly.
For fighting the flu:
To ward off the flu at the first hint of symptoms, take Echinacea, an herb with powerful anti viral and immunity-boosting effects. Echinacea is available in most health food stores in supplement form, as a tincture, and as a tea. Following the dosage recommendations on the label of the product you choose. Echinacea works best over a short period of time and it isn't an effective immune strengthener when taken long term. Use the herb for no more than a week.
For treating a headache:
For a headache caused by stress, try a soothing cup of this tea recommended: blend one part each of the dried herbs wintergreen, willow bark, and meadowsweet (available in most health food stores). Pour boiling water over a teaspoon of this blend, steep for ten minutes, strain, let cool to a drinkable temperature, and drink.
For treating heartburn:
For immediate relief of heartburn, make yourself a cup of ginger tea. Instructions: put ½ teaspoon of shredded fresh ginger in a cup of boiling water. Then let the ginger steep for about 10 minutes, strain the tea so that no ginger remains, cool to a drinkable temperature, and drink.
You can also try this tea:
Add two teaspoons of anise seeds, fennel seeds, or dill seeds to one cup of boiling water. Cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes, then strain, allow the tea to cool, and drink a few teaspoons every few minutes.
For treating high cholesterol:
Scientific studies indicate that one clove of garlic or its equivalent, taken every day, is effective in reducing cholesterol levels. One way to get the equivalent is with garlic supplements, a processed form of the herb that is available in most health food stores (and in many drugstores, too). There are two advantages to these supplements. Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, is best absorbed in supplemental form. And taking supplements allows you to bypass the bad breath that can be an unfortunate side effect of eating fresh garlic. The most effective form for a garlic supplement is enteric-coated capsules, which pass through the stomach and dissolve in the small intestine. But no matter which form you choose, follow the dosage recommendations on the label.
For treating insomnia:
Herbal sleep formulas in teas, tinctures, and capsules are available in most health food stores. For best results, choose one that combines hops, valerian, chamomile, oats, passionflower, and balm.
Follow the directions on the product label for proper dosage. Valerian, which reduces activity in the central nervous system, is the best-known herbal treatment for insomnia, and you could take that alone if the herbal formulas don't work. Most health food stores carry valerian products; follow the dosage recommendations on the label. Plops, a digestive tonic and sedative, may also help you relax. Purchase dried hops flowers (available in most health food stores), putting them in a small muslin bag, and placing the bag under your pillow.
For treating muscle cramps and pain:
For massaging out muscle tensions, try this herbal massage oil. Start with one cup of extra-virgin olive oil or almond oil (available in most health food stores). Pour the oil into a bottle or jar and add the following herbs in tincture form: 1 ounce of cramp bark, ½ ounce of lobelia, and ¼ ounce of willow bark or wintergreen. (If you don't have wintergreen tincture, substitute 30 drops of wintergreen oil.) These ingredients are also available in most health food stores and through mail order.
For treating nausea and vomiting:
For mild nausea, drink ginger tea. To make the tea, slice a piece of fresh ginger and put a few shavings or slivers of it in a tea ball. Pour a cup of boiling water over it, steep for ten minutes, then allow it to cool before drinking. When nausea is more intense, try a stronger dose of ginger, available in gelatin capsules of 500 milligrams in most health food stores. Take one or two capsules every four hours, or follow label instructions for dosage.
For treating rashes:
Try dried chamomile to make a soothing wash for poison ivy, poison oak, or poison sumac rashes, steep two tablespoons of dried chamomile in two cups of boiling water for about ten minutes. Let it cool, dip a Washcloth in the wash, and spread it on the rash. you can use this remedy as often as you like.
For treating a sore throat:
Try gargling with goldenseal tea. To make the tea, pour boiling water over one to two teaspoons of the dried herb, which you can buy in most health food stores. Steep for 10 minutes, strain to remove the herb, and cool before using as a mouthwash. Sage is another good choice for a sore throat. Chop two teaspoons of fresh leaves, then pour boiling water over them and steep for 10 minutes. Strain the tea to remove the leaves and cool before using as a mouthwash. Repeat the gargles as necessary for a maximum of two to three days.
For treating stomachache:
Peppermint and chamomile are two traditional herbal remedies for stomachache. Both work gently to soothe an upset stomach, stop stomach spasms and reduce gas. Drink three to four cups of peppermint or chamomile tea daily to treat minor digestive problems. You can also sip a cup of either of these teas after meals to aid digestion. Peppermint and chamomile teas are available in tea bag form in most health food stores.
For treating stress:
Siberian ginseng tones the nervous system and increases your resistance to stress. Take this herb in either capsule or tincture form, following the dosage recommendations on the label. Siberian ginseng supplements are available in most health food stores.
For treating toothache:
Try oil of clove to soothe the pain until you can get to the dentist. But don't use it full strength, it's so strong that it can damage your tooth's nerve. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an over-the-counter preparation containing oil of clove (sometimes called eugenol), such as Orajel, and follow label directions for use.
For treating vaginitis:
Try a Saint-John's-wort or calendula salve to soothe the itching and irritation caused by vaginitis. These products are sold in most health food stores, and follow the application directions on the label.
Here are a few sites which I have found to be most usefull.They are suppliers and information sites.If you have any questions,comments or sugestions please feel free to contact me.
Here are some links to suppliers and information sources
Angelfire - Easiest Free Home Pages
Healinghearth -- Herb supplier
foheron -- Herb supplier
Pcgardens -- Herb supplier
nrd.com -- Herb Supplier
HerbEcstacy -- Newage and Herb supplies
Herbalism.books
healthyhealing -- Great Information source
tonyk -- Herb supplier
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