Herbal RemediesHerbal Remedies

Looking at Herbal RemediesLooking at Herbal Remedies

Herbal Medicine through the YearsHerbal Medicine through the Years

Herbal medicine- also known as called Herbal medicine- also known as called botanical medicine or phytomedicine—refers botanical medicine or phytomedicine—refers to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, to using a plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flower for medical perposes.bark or flower for medical perposes.

Plants had been used for medicinal purposes Plants had been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history.long before recorded history.

Ancient Chinese, Egyptions, Africans, and Ancient Chinese, Egyptions, Africans, and Native Americans have used herbal medicine Native Americans have used herbal medicine for many years.for many years.

Herb UsageHerb Usage

Herbal supplements are classified as dietary Herbal supplements are classified as dietary supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplements supplements by the U.S. Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHA) of 1994.Health and Education Act (DSHA) of 1994.

Herbal supplements that are commonly used in Herbal supplements that are commonly used in the U.S. include echinacea, St. John’s Wort, the U.S. include echinacea, St. John’s Wort, ginkgo, garlic, saw palmetto, and ginseng.ginkgo, garlic, saw palmetto, and ginseng.

Many times the herbs are combined to be more Many times the herbs are combined to be more effective and have fewer side effects.effective and have fewer side effects.

What Conditions Herbs are Good What Conditions Herbs are Good ForFor

Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance Herbal supplements are best taken under the guidance of a trained health care provider.of a trained health care provider.

Herbal medicine has been used to treat conditions Herbal medicine has been used to treat conditions such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, such as asthma, eczema, premenstrual syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, migrane, menopausal symptoms, rheumatoid arthritis, migrane, menopausal symptoms, chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.chronic fatigue, irritable bowel syndrome, and cancer.

Other conditions would include stress, depression, Other conditions would include stress, depression, immune system enhancer, sleeping disorders.immune system enhancer, sleeping disorders.

Herbal Remedies PrecautionsHerbal Remedies Precautions

If used correctly, herbal remedies can treat many If used correctly, herbal remedies can treat many conditons with fewer side affect than conventional conditons with fewer side affect than conventional medications.medications.

Because herbal remedies are unregulated, care must Because herbal remedies are unregulated, care must be taken because they may have additives and be taken because they may have additives and contaminants that are not listed on the labelscontaminants that are not listed on the labels

Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with conventional drugs, and some are toxic if used with conventional drugs, and some are toxic if used improperly or at high doses so consult a health care improperly or at high doses so consult a health care professional before use.professional before use.

Who is using Herbal MedicineWho is using Herbal Medicine

The use of herbal medicine has increased in The use of herbal medicine has increased in the past 30 years.the past 30 years.

Herbal Medicine is taken by nearly one third Herbal Medicine is taken by nearly one third of American’s.of American’s.

Herbalists, chiropractors, naturopathic Herbalists, chiropractors, naturopathic physicians, pharmacists, medical doctors, and physicians, pharmacists, medical doctors, and pratitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine pratitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine all may use herbs to treat illness.all may use herbs to treat illness.

Finding Herbalist in your AreaFinding Herbalist in your Area

There are Herbalist in your area, it is difficult There are Herbalist in your area, it is difficult to find them because people do not know to find them because people do not know where to look.where to look.

The local Health food store should have a list The local Health food store should have a list of Herbalist in your area. Also your doctor of Herbalist in your area. Also your doctor should be able to refer you.should be able to refer you.

On the web you can go to: On the web you can go to: www.naturopathic.orgwww.naturopathic.org or or www.americanhrbalistguild.comwww.americanhrbalistguild.com

Future of Herbal MedicineFuture of Herbal Medicine

In other countries herbs are classified as drugs and In other countries herbs are classified as drugs and are regulated.are regulated.

Is this the future for herbs in the United States, to be Is this the future for herbs in the United States, to be regulated?regulated?

Herbal medicine is being taught more in medical Herbal medicine is being taught more in medical schools and pharmacy schools even though it is not schools and pharmacy schools even though it is not widely accepted.widely accepted.

Herbal medicine is being used with conventional Herbal medicine is being used with conventional medicine by doctors to treat many different medicine by doctors to treat many different conditons.conditons.

My ThoughtsMy Thoughts

Herbal medicine has been around for Herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years but we have moved away thousands of years but we have moved away from it to conventional medicine. It seems from it to conventional medicine. It seems that this is changing, that people are moving that this is changing, that people are moving back to the use of herbal medicine. Many find back to the use of herbal medicine. Many find that the use of herbs are safer, with less side that the use of herbs are safer, with less side affects and that they are getting better with affects and that they are getting better with their use. With more doctors including the use their use. With more doctors including the use of herbs with their prescription drugs, herbs of herbs with their prescription drugs, herbs are making a comeback.are making a comeback.

Research page:Research page:

To find out more about this topic you should consult:To find out more about this topic you should consult: http://nccam.nih.gov/http://nccam.nih.gov/ This website has lots of This website has lots of

information about herbs and CAMinformation about herbs and CAM http://www.alternative-therapies.com/ This website http://www.alternative-therapies.com/ This website

has information about alternative therapies and their has information about alternative therapies and their use of herbs.use of herbs.

http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/resources.html http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/resources.html This website tells about all different types of herbal This website tells about all different types of herbal medicine, alternative medicine, and what’s new.medicine, alternative medicine, and what’s new.

Reference:Reference:

http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/http://healthandwellness.kaplan.edu/resources.html resources.html

http://www.mayoclinic.com/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/ http://nccam.nih.gov/ http://nccam.nih.gov/ http://www.alternative-therapies.com/ http://www.alternative-therapies.com/