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Throughout recorded history there are countless references to traditional herbal medicines being effective treatments for disease. The very old civilisations such as the Chinese, Egyptian and Indian cultures have been very thorough and methodical about documenting the use of herbs for medicines, so much so that the wealth of accumulated knowledge over the generations is now serving as a template for teaching in our modern colleges.
Todays advanced technology has allowed us to better understand how and why different herbs act in certain ways by defining the chemical structures that ultimately give them their distinct therapeutic properties. But whilst knowing the chemical components of herbs may be necessary in these modern times, it does little more than confirm the therapeutic uses that traditional texts have recorded for thousands of years!
PREVENTATIVE OR ACUTE?
There are typically two ways of using herbs as therapeutics. 1) As Preventative Tonics 2) As Acute Treatments. Preventative tonics are system related. For example, Heart - Hawthorn Berries, Circulation - Ginkgo Biloba, Lungs - Mullein, Liver - St Mary's Thistle, Digestion - Meadowsweet or Gentian, Kidneys - Horsetail, Immune System - Astragalus. Because these herbs have a tonic action they are safe to be used over longer periods of time. In comparison, an acute herb is more stimulating and is used to treat a temporary short term ailment. For example: Immunity - Echinacea, Acute pain - White Willow, Fever - Boneset , Cystitis - Bearberry.
ANTIOXIDANTS
Nature has provided us with a handful of medicinal plants that offer to us a way of preventing premature cellular oxidation (ageing), by supplying large amounts of active compounds called antioxidants. These herbs include: Green Tea (supplying catechins, polyphenols), Grape Seed Extract (supplying OPCs), Tumeric (supplying curcuminoids),and Bilberry (supplying anthrocyanidins). Of course these herbs are also preventative tonics and are therefore best taken over long periods of time.
EXTERNAL USE
Herbs are just as valuable topically as they are internally, many having specific actions to give us quick effective relief. For example: Calendula - wound healing, Comfrey - deeper joint and cartilage healing, also is antimitotic ie. slows down increased cell turnover such as in psoriasis, Chickweed - best herb for treating itch, Tea Tree and Neem - antibacterial and antifungal, Arnica - best acute treatment for bumps, bruises and tissue trauma provided skin is not broken, Hypericum - used when lesion is a clean cut or puncture wound, Golden Seal - where the wound is obstinate ie.recurring or won't heal, and infected.
The exciting world of Herbal Medicine has much to offer in the way of therapeutic treatments, but can be a little daunting when it comes to self-prescribing. So whether you are wanting to effectively treat an existing health problem, need advice on preventative healthcare or simply want advice on Herb-Drug interactions we are here at your service, ready to professionally answer any health question.
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