Introduction
Herbal medicines are used to treat conditions in the body and to improve general health and wellbeing. They are a natural alternative to prescription drugs that often come with significant side effects and can lead to long term use.
Benefits of Herbal Medicine
Herbs are effective for many conditions - but only when they are used correctly and with your doctor's advice. Herbal medicine can help to relieve pain, improve mood, and enhance your overall well-being. Taking herbal medicine can be easier than using prescribed pharmaceuticals and may result in fewer side effects. This is because herbal medicines are often gentler on the body, allowing the body to heal itself more naturally.
Combination of Herbs
Some herbs contain potent ingredients that should be taken with care and should never be used in isolation from the rest of the plant. This is why practitioners of herbal medicine recommend that a mixture of herbs is used to treat a condition, rather than one herb alone.
Types of Herbal Medicines
There are many different kinds of herbal medicines, some of which can be found in health food shops and chemists. Some are available in capsule form while others are liquid extracts or tinctures. Tinctures, for example, are made from the active ingredients dissolved in water. This allows you to get the maximum benefits from the plant without the side effects that can sometimes occur when you take a single extract.
Common Herbs and Their Benefits
Echinacea
Echinacea is an herb that strengthens the immune system and helps prevent colds and flu. It can also help to relieve symptoms of arthritis and menstrual cramps.
Feverfew
Feverfew is another herb that can help with a variety of ailments, including headaches and PMS. It is used to reduce inflammation and is also said to be helpful for anxiety and depression.
Garlic
Garlic is a great herb for people with high cholesterol and triglycerides because it can help to lower them. It is also thought to have a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases and may help to reduce blood pressure.
Important Considerations
The active compounds in herbs are not always known, so it is important to know what you are taking. Herbs can interact with other drugs and should be discussed with your doctor before you start taking any new medication.
Herbs are a rich source of antioxidants, chemicals that fight free radical damage and slow down the aging process. They also contain a wide range of other beneficial compounds that science is just beginning to understand.
Regulation and Safety
Medicinal herbs have been used for centuries and are still widely used today. They have been shown to be as effective, if not more so, than most western drugs. They can be bought over the counter and are generally cheaper than prescription medications. This makes them a popular alternative for those who do not have insurance or cannot afford to pay the high costs of prescription medications.
Herbal medicines are regulated by the UK MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency). They have an Advisory Committee called the HMAC, which is made up of medical practitioners from all over the world, including herbalists from Ayurveda and TCM, as well as western pharmacologists. The HMAC is a good way of checking that herbs are safe to use and will not cause any unwanted side effects.
