exploringalternativemedicines.com » herbal medicines

Herbal Medicine Theories: Why You Use Herbs the Way You Do

ExploringAltMeds — Thu, 11 Feb 2010 16:15:38 +0000

Subconsciously, most people don’t even think about why they’re using herbs the way they do. In actuality those persons who use Herbal Medicine subscribe to one of several different theories about the proper use of herbs for treating illness.

There is a Chinese theory which suggests that herbal medicine is separated into two separate groups that produce a balance between the Yin and Yang. The first group is pro-oxidants which increase the amount of free radical molecules and the second group is anti-oxidants which decrease the amount of free radical molecules. By the way, this is one of the oldest known herbal medicine theories.

Another herbal medicine theory comes to us from the earliest natives of North America. Early American Natives noticed that certain herbs had physiological effects on the body when used. They also used herbs for spiritual and religious purposes.

Today there is a theory which combines several of these older theories which creates different combinations of herbs to treat illnesses. This is called the Triune formula. According to this formula, there are 9 herbal combinations. These combinations nourish, supplement, or drain the body’s main systems in order to affect a change in the body.

How Far Are Herbs From Pharmaceuticals?

ExploringAltMeds — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 04:42:54 +0000

The thought of using herbal medicines to treat colds, headaches, and even chronic illnesses can send the average person into a state of shock. The fact is that most people in western countries think of herbs as the medicines of barbaric medieval surgeons and tribal “witch” doctors. But, while this was and is certainly true, most of these people would be equally shocked to discover that many of the pharmaceuticals commonly used in western medicine are derived from these same “Barbaric” herbs.

Western medicine frequently uses herbs like Digitalis and even Opium to treat many of the medical complaints and illnesses of the average, modern person. Digitalis is actually a plant from the Scrophulariaceae Biological Family and is closely related to the common English Foxglove plant. Opium is used to create many pain medicines commonly prescribed for hospital patients; it is created from seed pods of the Opium Poppy.

The Herbalist’s Philosophy

ExploringAltMeds — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 13:00:36 +0000

Herbalists, or practitioners of herbal medicine, believe in the use of herbal medicines to treat basic medical problems. This isn’t to insinuate that herbalists don’t use, or believe in the use of, conventional pharmaceutical medications. Many herbalists merely feel that the use of pharmaceuticals should be limited to emergency situations.

So the question still remains. Why do herbalists believe in the use of herbs to treat everyday problems and illnesses? A lot of herbal medicines are believed to actually help the person to not only overcome the symptoms of a cold or other medical problem, but to actually help build up a resistance to the illnesses. Herbs can do this because they supply natural and nutritional benefits to the person as opposed to introducing foreign chemicals to the individual’s body. Herbs can also supercharge the human immune system, which in turn helps the person build resistance to disease.

What’s The Big Deal About Herbal Alternatives?

ExploringAltMeds — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 18:48:03 +0000

What is it about herbs and natural supplements that make so many members of the medical profession flinch? Is it because they’re actually not good for us, or is there some other reason they don’t want us to take them? While some in the medical profession are starting to support patient use of some herbal remedies such as Echinacea, others are extremely opposed to the use of some of the most beneficial herbal supplements on the market.

There is reason for caution on the part of the medical community. Many of these herbal remedies have not been tested thoroughly by the Federal Drug Administration. Despite this, many people say that they’ll continue taking these herbal supplements regardless of the FDA’s opinion on the matter. So who’s right? Many holistic practitioners feel that anything that seems to work does, in fact, work. Therefore, there’s no harm in drinking an herbal tea or taking a supplement to support and boost your immune system.