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HERBAL MEDICINE

Herbal medicine is the use of plants for

medicinal purposes. Modern medicinerecognizes herbalism as a form of alternative medicine. Modern medicinedoes make use of many plant derived

Compounds as the basis for pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs can be

u

sed for things such as cooking and soothing teas which all have

b

eneficial effects. Most herbs are safe to use but there are some

Herbs that should only be used by a professional practitioner.

There are various herbs that we use every day such as

p

arsley which is one of the richest sources of vitamin C.

It is also an effective diuretic helping the body the body

to rid itself of excess water. It also helps to calm the

Gastrointestinal system and is a good source of vitamin K.

Chamomile is a widely used herb. It is commonly used as a

g

entle relaxant. This herb is pleasant tasting which makes it

g

ood for a tea preparation. The recommended amount for tea

w

ould be 1 cup of water to 2 teaspoons of the herb let that

s

oak for 10-15 minutes. Chamomile is also great for symptoms

s

uch as indigestion and Gastritis.

Herbs such as Lobelia can be dangerous to

use. It is important to research an herb you are unfamiliar with before using it. Herbs Such as Lobelia are best left to a professional

f

or use. Lobelia is a systemic relaxant. It is also used for cramps and

a

s a respiratory stimulant. At high doses it is used as an emetic. It

i

s commonly used as a tea which as a treatment it is generally taken

3 times a day, ½ teaspoon in 1 cup of water. Lobelia is similar to

n

icotine. It is considered toxic because of its strong emetic effect.

You can find out more about herbs and herbal therapy at the

Following websites.

The American Botanical Council

http://cms.herbalgram.org

I

nternational Journal of Herbal Medicine

http://www.florajournal.com

The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine,

NIH

http://nccam.nih.gov

Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Center

http://www.sagemountain.com

Some good educational resources about herbal therapy are

available such as

The Essential Herbal

http://www.essentialherbal.com

The Herb Quarterly

http://www.herbquarterly.com

REFERENCES

Gladstar

, R. (2001). The Science and Art of Herbalism.

Hoffman, D. (1996). Holistic Herbal. Element.