Herbal Medicine: What is Herbal Medicine and is it Safe?

Author: Healing Headquarters LLC

Herbal Medicine is a form of alternative medicine based on the use of plants in the form of herbal supplements, raw herbs, herbal extracts, herbal tinctures, and other herbal remedies such as tablets, ointments, and capsules. Herbal medicine use is on the rise. Many health enthusiasts are turning to this natural, plant-based form of medicine as opposed to the chemical, pharmaceutical choice. A natural form of medicine, herbal medicine is the most ancient form of medicine on the planet. Many modern day prescriptions and conventional medicines are based on a form of herbal medicine.

What Is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease. Oftentimes called herbalism, herbology, or botanical medicine, herbal medicine is considered ‘alternative’ in the modern day, though it has an extensive and esteemed history. Many herbalists use the entire plant, from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, in the form of everything from teas to tablets. These plants contain natural, chemical substances that can treat the body for various ailments.
The History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine dates back to prehistoric times. Primitive man used plants for everything from shelter and food, to clothing and medicine. Herbal medicine evolved over time, with observation and experimentation. Each village and tribe throughout the world observed and experimented with the natural plant world around them and developed a knowledge base of regional herbs and herbal medicines. Many of these primitive herbal experimentations hold true today, with many conventional medicines stemming from herbal origins. For instance, morphine originated from the use of the opium poppy herb, while Echinacea was the common herbal treatment to fight off infection prior to the creation of antibiotics.

Modern Day Herbal Medicine
While some people feel that herbal remedies are an ‘alternative’ form of holistic medicine, they are actually the bases of at least one-fourth of all conventional medicines. Today, many plants are synthesized for pharmaceutical use, stemming from ancient, healing traditions of herbal medicine. If you are seeking to find a more natural and gentle form of medicine, you may want to visit a local health food store or try to find a local herbalist. Tinctures, extracts, teas, lozenges, ointments, salves, rubs, tablets, and capsules, are available at most health food stores and can be wonderful, natural alternatives to conventional medicines.
If using herbal medicine it is recommended that you let you doctor know each and every herb that you ingest to prevent a reaction between the herbs and any allopathic medicines that you may be using.

About the Author:

HealingHq.com

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Jaye Drummond, editor-in-chief

Healing Headquarters LLC

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Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sexual Health

By Adrian Lazarus

The Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) is one of the traditional forms of health care having a documented history going back for many centuries. The oldest Chinese herbal medicine book was written 2000 years ago and was entitled Shen Nong's Herbal Classic was written 2000 years ago.

In this article we will analyze four of the most important herbal plants from Chinese medicine, based on the books written by old Chinese doctors.

Jioagulan belong to the Cucurbitaceae plant family and had appeared in the south part of China, but now it grows also in the North of Thailand and in Japan. In China is also known as the herb of immortality. Because it contains up to three times more saponins than Ginseng panax root, it is known as a medical adaptogen plant. The most important features of saponins are the regulation of the nervous system and the curative influence on the blood circulation. Jioagulan is also used as an anti-oxidant plant in order to eliminate the toxin of the body, as glycaemia and cholesterol reducer and as hepatic stimulator.

Rhodiola is a very rare plant growing in Tibet and Siberia. According to Russian researcher Nicolai Lazarev, in same areas of Tibet, Rhodiola is considered a sacred plant. This is an adaptogen plant which increase body’s resistance in many ways giving a tonic effect and increasing the energy of the body. Using Rhodiola while being sick, in many cases it helps the body to heal itself, without using other medicines. Like Jioagulan, Rhodiola is also much more active then Ginseng. This plant is mostly used in case of cardiovascular and heart diseases but is also considered the most antidepressant plant in the world.

Flos Lonicerae grows in Japan and is also known as Japanese honeysuckle because it is used usually in the form of syrup. The main effects of Flos Lonicerae are the elimination of the toxins and reducing the abscess but it also refresh the blood and stops the dysentery.

The Gentian is mostly used to suppress burns of the liver and the gall-bladder. Is is eliminating the Humidity and the Cold from of the bones and tendons. It is also reducing the pain. The yellow Gentian it is a very good medicine for digestive problems. It is fighting against constipation and fever and facilitates the digestion and it s roots are used as vermifuge.

Lorgax is used in erectile dysfunction and sexual dysfunction, and with very good efects in loss of stamina, stress, loss of libido.

Article Source: Chinese Herbal Medicine for Sexual Health

Herbal Medicine In Cats

By Allan Michael Taylor

Herbal treatments are viable treatment option for your cat, however one must exercise caution as many carry harmful side effects.

Since the dawn of man humans have being using herbs to treat various illnesses, it's only natural we'd want to try the same with our beloved cats.

There are many factors which influence the effectiveness of an herb, namely what portion of the plant is used, how old the plant was when harvested and how it was processed after harvest.

Most of the time there have been few to no studies on the effects of particular herbs on animals so your cat's health is not guaranteed in their use.

Various plants and herbs are often the base for conventional medicine so it's entirely possible for too much of an herb to cause something like an overdose.

One herb that is especially dangerous to cats is pennyroyal.

It makes a good insect repellent but it is highly poisonous to both cats and dogs and should never be used around them.

White willow bark contains salicylates and can work well as a pain and fever reducer.

Aspirin also contains salicylates and was developed from the white willow bark.

But just as aspirin is hazardous to cats so is white willow bark.

Another potential problem with herbal medicines are that they may interfere with the workings of more conventional medicines.

Take for instance bitter melon, it can increase the duration of insulin action thus wreaking havoc on regulating diabetes in a cat.

Regardless of these dangers, there are some herbs which can be a benefit to our cats and their health.

Echinacea can stimulate the immune system in general ways and contains no known levels of toxicity.

Although is has no toxic qualities you still need to be careful with Echinacea if your cat suffers an auto immune disease.

Marshmallow can ease coughing and also stimulates the immune system.

Licorice is good for easing skin inflammation and inflammatory bowel disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. But one must also be cautious using this with any cats that suffer heart, liver or kidney problems.

Ginger can ease sickness experienced from travel and sooth the digestive system. But even too much ginger will be a bad thing, it can cause depression and should not be used on a pregnant animal.

Milk thistle is good for the liver, St. John's Wort can decrease anxiety and encourage relaxation.

Because so few studies out there focus on the use of herbal remedies with cats and because of the possible conflicts they may have with existing medication, one should only try herbals remedies under the instruction of a professional veterinary herbalist.

There are many veterinarians which use herbs and other natural remedies in cats, including acupuncture; many of these treatments can be combined with a conventional medical treatment.

Veronica Beale is a cat lover with a particular interest in cancer treatment in cats. She is very open to the use of natural therapies in cats. Her website is at http://www.catscancer.com

Article Source: Herbal Medicine In Cats

Amazingly Simple Natural Cough Remedies You Can Make at Home

By Liz Alderson

There are many natural cough remedies you can make at home.

I'm going to show you how to use items you might already have in your store cupboard and garden, or can easily buy at the supermarket to make your own cough medicine.

You may be concerned about the chemicals that over the counter cough remedies put in your body - I know I am - and of course, if you have children, you will be even more worried about what you give them.

I think a natural remedy is always preferable and can be just as effective.

Many over the counter remedies are based on traditional remedies but are full of preservatives and chemicals.

So here's 3 natural cough remedies you will be able to use safely.

The first is honey and garlic.

Simply chop up a garlic clove and mix it with a teaspoon of honey - then swallow it!

The second is my particular favourite.

Honey and sage.

Sage has many healing properties and is widely used in herbal medicine - it's an essential in your medicinal herbal garden as well as your culinary.

Simply take about 6 sage leaves and crush them lightly in your hand to begin the release of the essential oils. Pop them into the bottom of a cup or mug.

Take some boiled water - just off boiling point and pour over the leaves.

Add a teaspoon of honey and stir it in to dissolve.

Leave for about 5 minutes for the sage to infuse - then lift the leaves out and sip the sage and honey tea.

It will bring relief from a persistent cough and will ease the tight feeling in your chest.

The third cough remedy is sage and honey again, but this is made into a syrup that you can either take by the spoonful (as a cough medicine) or stir into hot water with lemon to make a soothing drink.

Take a large pan and pour in two pints of water and bring to the boil.

Add 1 oz (25g) of dried sage - tie it in a muslin bag so that it can be easily lifted out, if you don't you will have to strain the liquid before going onto the next stage.

Simmer for 20 minutes, then either lift out the sage bag or strain through a cloth to remove the herbs.

You could also use a really big handful of fresh sage leaves for this - just crush them in your hands to begin the release of the essential oils.

Add a pound jar of clear honey and stir well.

Simmer for a further 20 minutes then allow the mixture to cool before putting into a jar.

You can keep this for about 6 months - the honey is a natural preservative.

When you need some, just take a spoonful neat or pop some in a cup with lemon juice and hot water for a soothing natural cough remedy.

You can take this several times a day to soothe your cough - 4 or 5 times will give you quite a bit of honey - just beware if you suffer from raised blood sugar for any reason.

These natural cough remedies can all be made out of things you will either already have in your store cupboard and garden, or can easily buy on your next shopping trip.

The information in this article is in no way intended to replace medical advice. If you have persistent problems that do not respond to herbal treatments within a few days, then you should consult a doctor.

Liz Alderson is the webmaster of http://www.the-herb-guide.com which is a free resource for information on all things herbal - from growing to using herbs.

Visit http://www.the-herb-guide.com/natural-cough-remedies.html to learn more about natural herbal remedies.

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Floral Nectar Component of Honey

Floral Nectar Component of Honey
By Frank W. Buonanotte

Some honey is considered to be multi-floral which means that the honeybees used the nectar of several different types of flowers to produce the honey. Beekeepers that want to make a specific type of mono-floral honey will place their hives within close proximity to a certain type of plant so that bees don't have to travel far from their hives in order to collect the nectar. After gathering the nectar, the honeybees go back to their hives where they add enzymes to it to form honey.

Some types of honey are more suitable for medical use than others. For example, Manuka Honey from New Zealand has been found to have the most healing properties out of any other type of honey. As a result, Manuka Honey is now being used for medical purposes to treat conditions such as ulcers, wounds, burns, acid reflux, eczema, fungal and bacterial infections.

The antibacterial variation among floral nectars and the types of honey that are made from various nectars are due to several factors. Some nectar contains catalase, which is an enzyme that neutralizes hydrogen peroxide. This diminishes the effectiveness of the hydrogen peroxide producing mechanism of honey which makes it undesirable for medicinal use. Other nectars contain substances with high antibacterial activity. For example, nectar that is derived from the Manuka Tea Tree has been found to contain antibacterial elements such as methylglyoxal and a substance that has become known as the Unique Manuka Factor or UMF. Manuka Honey has also been found to contain flavonoids which contribute to its antibacterial properties as well as a very high antioxidant activity.

In addition to its antibacterial effect, Manuka Honey has other significant health benefits. Manuka Honey enhances the immune system by stimulating B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes to multiply. It also has the ability to reduce inflammation and stimulate cell growth, making it ideal as a wound dressing.

"Regardless of the floral nectar component, all types of honey contain medicinal properties," says Frank Buonanotte, CEO of Honeymark International. "However, Manuka Honey contains healing properties not found in any other type of honey which is why we use it in our products. The results we get from this unique type of honey outperforms traditional forms of medicine in most cases." Manuka Honey has also been found to have no negative side effects when used for medical purposes.

For more information or to purchase Manuka Honey and Manuka Honey products, call 1-866-427-7329 or visit http://www.HoneymarkProducts.com.

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