Herbs have long been a part of the discussion on natural gardens, aromatherapy and the like. Medical herbs are a bit of a side-step, being part of the same discussion yet going a bit further into the healing realm than your usual edibles and "smelly-goods".
Many of us have heard about chamomile's use as a general relaxant, lavender's use as the same and a great natural cleanser, as well as garlic's natural ability to combat many infectious bugs and ginger's use as a "tummy tonic". However, what's not quite as well known is that many of today's medicines are based on herbs and other plants, such as flowers and vegetables.
For example...
- Valium, a common nerve medication, is a derivative of Valarian Root
- Aspirin, a common pain medication that's also used in smaller doses as a blood thinner, is derived from White Willow Bark
- Morphine, a common hospital-grade pain medication, is made from the seeds of the Opium Poppy
- Penicillin, the world's first synthetic antiboitic, was derived from a variety of bread mold
...and on and on!
While using herbs medicinally is a great way to get natural benefits from nature's bounty, it's important to keep in mind that it's an area that should be studied on before jumping into natural doctoring. There could be interactions, from medications you may be taking, with health conditions you may have...even due to your own unique physical constitution. Be sure to learn the chemical compounds active in the herbs you use and the possible interactions.
The Ultimate Survival Skills guide, "Handbook of Herbal Formulas", goes into a variety of medicinal uses for herbs and is organized into sections based on physical functions, such as Respiratory. This handbook is an excellent start for learning how herbs work to improve health.
For more on herbs, check out our section on botany and discover a world of knowledge on various plants and their uses.
"As Rosemary is to the Spirit, so Lavender is to the Soul" - Anonymous
Have you ever wondered what goes into being an herbal practitioner? It's more than just mixing up some herbs for an ailment, it also includes assessing when a treatment could cause a reaction and knowing how to side-step it. This guide seeks to inform the reader on herbal medicine as a practice.
Natural health is more than just a good diet and exercise (though those help quite a bit!). It's also about using what nature provides as a means to stay healthy and recover from illness quicker. This handbook offers herbal formulas that help you get there.
When you're sorting through odd-sounding names of medicinal herbs instead of testing if they work for you, what you need is a good primer for some basics starting out. This guide has what you need!
Many, even those of us who enjoy natural medicine, are not familiar with Ayurveda. At it's most basic, it is India's traditional medicine yet is so much more. This guide covers the plants used medicinally in this practice and offers some info and points for further reference.
This handbook covers a lot of ground on natural home remedies and their benefits to one's overall health. Packed with useful information and cures for whatever ails you, it practically guarantees you'll become prepared for tackling various ills.
Herbs: Our Free Articles
Ten Medicinal Herbs You Should Know is a register of 10 generally obtainable herbs and easy methods to make use of these herbs to maintain your personal health. These herbs are easily available and provide extensive benefits with a minimum exertion.
The Nervous System: Healing with Medicinal Plants supplies useful information on very real and permanent solutions to problems related to the nervous system. Learn how holistic medicine can heal some serious sensory and control diseases.
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