Herbal treatment is one of the ancient methods of curing a disease. The footprints of herbal medicine were originated in China and its surroundings. Traditional herbal medicines are plant formed substances which occur naturally with least involvement of industrial processing methods to treat illness according to the regional healing practices. Almost all the countries across the globe have got their own herbal medicine industries growing at a much faster rate than ever before.
Here, we have encompassed a comparison between herbal and modern medicines and also the significance of herbal medicines along with the description of a few herbs being used for centuries now.
Comparison between herbal & modern medicine
Most researchers and individuals think that these herbs are less effective and are unable to be consumed in their correct dosage because they are engulfed in their natural forms. On the contrary, traditional practitioners have verified that they are more potent when they are consumed in their whole form rather than when their ingredients have got isolated or separated.
Owing to the abovementioned fact, herbal medicines are used in their whole form which makes them more effective and less dangerous as compared to scientifically produced drugs which mostly contain specific active ingredient which works for only specific function in the human body. For instance, aspirin which is gotten from salicylic acid found in the plant “meadowsweet” might have an adverse effect of bleeding of the abdomen lining. On the other hand, if meadowsweet is consumed in its herbal form, it does not contain any side effect.
Significance of Herbs in the treatment of diseases
The significance of herbal medicine in treating modern diseases cannot be neglected. Some of the peculiar importances of herbal medicines are as follows:
- Specific medicinal herbs have disinfectant properties, which kills the disease-causing germs.
- They also restrict the growth of pathogenic microbes that cause communicable diseases. For example, Turmeric is used to inhibit the growth of germs and bacteria.
- Herbal medicine practitioners recommend calmative herbs which provide soothing effect on the body.
- One of the significant uses of herbal medicine is for health promotion and therapy for chronic as well as life threatening circumstances.
- Herbs like black pepper, cinnamon, aloe vera and red clover are used to heal wounds and sores.
- Many herbs are used as blood pacifiers by eradicating metabolic toxins. They are also known as blood cleansers.
- Herbs like coriander and cardamom are useful for their appetizing qualities.
- Ginger and cloves are used in making certain cough syrups.
World’s most popular herbal medicines
Some of the world’s most popular and significant herbal medicines are listed below.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a medicinal plant whose roots are steeped to make tea or dried to formulate a powder. It is used in manufacturing of traditional Chinese herbal medicine to boost immunity, brain functions, energy level and to reduce inflammation.
Ginkgo Biloba
It is a herbal medicine derived from Maidenhair tree. It is also simply known as ginkgo. This is one of the top selling herbal supplements today and also one of the oldest to be used in herbal Chinese medicine. Its leaves and seeds are often used to make tinctures and tea but the most modern application is to use leaf extract. Ginkgo is said to be used to treat ailments like heart diseases, mental troubles and sexual dysfunctions. An interesting fact is that the effectiveness of Ginkgo regarding these ailments is yet to be proved.
Elderberry
It is considered as an ancient herbal medicine typically made from the cooked fruit of the Sambucus Nigra plant. This is very fruitful in relieving headaches, nerve pains, cold, viral infection and constipation. Currently, it is widely marketed as a cure to eliminate common flu and cold. Elderberry is widely used as a syrup, but some people use to cook it with ingredients like honey and ginger.
Turmeric
Turmeric is an extensively used herb and it belongs to the family of ginger. Turmeric is being used for thousands of years in cooking and medicines. Curcumin is a major compound of turmeric and both of these are used to treat conditions like chronic inflammation, pain and anxiety. Curcumin and Turmeric are considered safe but high dose of these may lead towards diarrhea, headache and skin irritation
Ginger
Ginger is a commonplace ingredient and herbal medicine. It’s your choice to eat it fresh or dried. Its main medicinal forms are capsule and tea. Like turmeric, ginger is a stem that grows underground. It has been used in traditional practices to cure colds, migraines, nausea and high levels of blood pressure. Ginger is very much tolerated. There are almost no negative effects of ginger but consuming it in excessive amount can cause diarrhea and minor case of heartburn.
Chamomile Herb
It is a flowering plant and one of the most prominent and popular herbal medicines in the world. For thousands of years, chamomile herb has been used as a remedy for nausea, diarrhea, constipation, urinary and upper respiratory infections.
CBD Hemp Flower
CBD flower is the raw or dried hemp flower buds of the Cannabis plant. Cannabidiol is the cannabinoid or a chemical compound that offers many health benefits ranging from anti-inflammatory to anti-convulsant. CBD flower is new and growing in popularity very rapidly. Some of the common uses of CBD flowers are to:
- Relieve headache
- Boost energy
- Enhance focus
CBD Salves
CBD salve is topical. It is basically a CBD topical used in creams, lotions or salves infused with CBD and can be applied directly to the skin.
Some of the peculiar uses of CBD salve are to relieve:
- Soreness
- Chronic pain
- Itchiness
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