This entry was posted 12 years, 6 months ago.
August 30, 2010
Herbs and medicinal plants play a huge role in modern medicine. They can help us prevent and lower the chances of one or another disease, assist in curing our ailments and sicknesses. They can be also used for cleansing our body, stimulating blood circulation and metabolism, slowing down aging processes and rejuvenating our body tissues, as well as for various other purposes. However, what are the ways to prepare and administer medicinal herbs and plants for our health benefits?
Actually, the ways of using herbs and preparing various herbal remedies were developed by our ancestors through trial and error process. Ancient herbalists have found out that most plants and herbs that grow around us have one or another therapeutic power, sometimes even many of such powers. And since ancient times it was known that some herbs or plants are more effective and productive if used dried, or fresh, or when they are powdered, or when they are administered in capsules or as an infusion.
Therefore, for external or internal uses, herbs and plants come in a number of forms. Those include the most popular ones: herbal teas (or herbal infusions), herbal capsules (or tablets) and supplements, herbal tinctures and extracts. Also, herbs can be used in the forms of poultices and bolus, decoctions, Solar and Lunar infusions, salves and ointments, compresses (or formentations), elixirs and syrups, herbal powders, chewable herbs and herbal candies, herbal baths, etc. For example, fresh or dried medicinal herbs and plants can be added to your fruit or veggie salads, stews and all possible dishes.
Most of the above mentioned herbal preparations can be found in our pharmacies, natural foods shops and other places where ready-made natural products are sold. However, more and more people prefer making their own herbal preparations and products, this way being sure that the herbal remedies they use are of high quality. Unlike popular idea, making own herbal preparations is not a very difficult thing, which requires making lots of efforts. On the contrary, isn’t it a pleasure to discover new healing powers and therapeutic effects of the herbs around you? Read more articles from this category about what you need to know about herbal preparations, finding, storing and preparing the herbs, determining doses and so on…
Author Info: Hi! My name is Carla and I am a 5th year medical student at HYMS. I am interested in alternative medicine and I have done months researching the topic of herbal medicine. Besides, I like interviewing people and learning more about their experiences with one or another type of herbal treatments. I am willing to contribute to this site with my knowledge, and I would be happy to help you out to the best of my ability with any specific questions or problems related to alternative medicine.
September 2nd, 2010 at 12:14 am
I’m a martial artist, and we have a long history of making our own herbal formulas to treat injuries and boost energy for training. However, I find myself turning ever more often to over-the-counter herbal remedies rather than homemade. With the new technology available to herb manufacturers, they can insure potency and purity better than I can in my own kitchen. I won’t stop making some of my own remedies, but I like the convenience and predictability of some of the European formulas in particular.
Susan Lynn Peterson
author Western Herbs for Martial Artists and Contact Athletes