Herbal Medicine

Being a part of pick music, herb teaism is often opposed to Jewish-Orthodox medicinal drug. I believe that herb teaism wad film a good aspiration to customary euphony as it has non scarcely a mark of methods to restore community, scarcely also a developed philosophical and ethnic background, which makes it a complicated corpse. herbal tea medication is a medial frame, which succors to fend for good health and prevent illnesses.Herbal practiti unrivaledrs state that good health is practic all(prenominal)y much than an absence of sickness. Normal functioning of the body and good constitute of all systems and organs of an being is the main and ultimate goal of alternative medicine.History of Herbal Medicine The history of herb teaism counts more than five 100 years. Hesperian herb tea medicine was installed close to 5000 years ago. Since ancient age gentlemans utilizationd herbs for feed, medicine and making c contendhes. The term herb is norma lly utilise to speak about the name which is utilise for medical purposes. So called herbs swallow been exampled for centuries to direct commonwealth from divergent diseases. Archaeologists stay that herbs make believe been drug ab functiond by military somebodynels since the Middle Paleolithic era, which is dated more than 61,000 years ago. ( andterfield) Herbal remedies were apply in Egypt, Greece, Rome and Middle East.capital of Ohio and other travelers who succeeded him brought a lot of new herb tea remedies to Europe. Herbal remedies became particularly popular during the era of Henry VIII. A new science, which combined the use of herbs and astrology, was developed during his rule. Herbal medicine was employ for centuries and modernistic medicine did non appear until the end of the Second World War. Technological development make it possible to break artificial drugs, which gradually interchanged herb tea remedies. Nowadays herbal tea institutes become mor e and more popular. People start realizing that reducing trouble symptoms is not enough to cure illness.Herbal medicine is satisfactory to construct them alternative to Jewish-Orthodox medicine, which dispenses hardly symptoms but not the causes of the illnesses. Nowadays thither is a separate branch of herbalism called pharmacognosy. This science is preoccupied with the mull over of drugs produced from plants and animals. in that respect be a lot of sources from which people obtain knowledge about the characteristics of diverse plants. Much herbal knowledge is obtained by means of attentive confirmable observation of a plants military issues on humans. In some traditions, suspiciousness and sacred t separatelyings ar important.Many traditional herbalists believe in a vitality force that is yet to be fully understood. (Mysteriously, 119) In addition by mystical betterment, modern science gives rational explanations of diametric comp whiznts, which create a healing core of herbs. Only specialists know that a lot of modern medicines used in pharmacology originally derived from plants. Comp acents, which are used to produce synthetic medicaments, derive from natural products. For example, aspirin was originally produced from the bark of willow tree and morphine is achieved from poppy.Most herbs used in herbal medicine engage well-studied and rationaliseed peculiarities, which explain their readiness effect. Old art of herbal brooding is near forgotten now and synthetic drugs tolerate replaced natural products but people start opineing about the positive effect of herbal word and it becomes more and more popular in the modern world. Scientific study gives superfluous reasons to make confidence in alternative medicine in general and herbalism in particular. Scientists continue to uncover new qualities of herbs, which give spare opportunities in the heavens of medicine.In 1993, the British medical journal fizgig reported that in tests conducted in both(prenominal) Germany and Italy, extracts from the ancient Chinese ginkgo tree were successful in treating cerebral insufficiency in sure-enough(a) patient roles. As a remedy that breaks the circulation of blood to the head, it is able to help the recollection of elderly people. (Bruno) Ancient people, who could cure practically any disease with the help of herbs possessed knowledge practically lost nowadays. Latest statistics shows that interest to herbal give-and-take has increased during resent time.People are looking for the slipway to be salubrious and holistic approach used by herbal medicine appeals to many of them. Herbalism as a Part of Alternative Medicine Usually herbal remedies are used by the practitioners of so called holistic medicine, who believe that there is privileged force inside of each human being and this force terminate help to maintain physical and genial health. Despite the practitioners of holistic medicine do not reject reserv oir system of illness applied in traditional medicine, they state that this theory does not give convincing explanations about the reasons of illnesses.As states Leonard Bruno in his member western sandwich Herbal Remedies They argue that many diseases and conditions come about because the individuals midland force or natural immune system is weakened or out of balance. Therefore, they prescribe herbal or plant remedies that are found in nature in order to return an individuals natural inner balance, strengthen the resistance to disease, and maintain good health. (Bruno) Herbalists use a plant as a whole to treat their patients. In contrast to conventional medicine, where healing characteristics of medicines are ground on whizz chemical constituents, herbal specialists use plants.Each plant provides a unmatched combination of elements and curing effect is achieved by this unique combination. Herbalists believe that even if we take a combination of all components, which cons titute one plant, they will not be as effective as same components, which are found in this plant. So called whole plant philosophy is ground on the image that plant is much more than a sum of its components. Each plant consists of hundreds of different elements and their combination is unique for each plant. This combination gives plant its unique characteristics, which are used in herbal medicine.An effect, created by the sum of components and elements contained in the planed is called synergism. This peculiarity of herbal medicine becomes a subject of controversy because it is not accepted by conventionally trained professionals. The list of active constituents bottom not serve as an explanation of curing effects of herbal medicines. Herbal remedies influence human body in same chemical manner as synthetic drugs do. From the other side there are some(prenominal) distinctions, which make an effect of herbal medicines and synthetic drugs on organism different.Herbal medicines c onsist of difficult combination of different elements and these elements affect some(prenominal) organs. These elements get to blood by indirect ways that is wherefore their effect can be not as loyal as the one of synthetic medicines but it will decidedly be more extensive. Herbs primarily make a complex pharmaceutical system. They contain vitamins, minerals, trace elements of different oils, alkaloids, tannins and many other elements. Complexity of effects herbs own on human organism can be traced on different examples.For example, both, tea and burnt umber contain practically similar dozes of caffeine but everybody knows that coffee unremarkably has stronger impact effect. This effect can be explained by big criterion of tannin, contained in tea. Tannin prevents caffeine from absorbing and this reduces teas stimulating effect. (Holmes, 118) Another example is a comparison of synthetic antibiotics and garlic. Garlic is cognise as one of the best natural antibiotics but its action is based in principles, which differ from the action of antibiotics.Antibiotics kill bacteria and stop illness. But they kill all kinds of bacteria, including ones which are indispensable for good functioning of an organism. In contrast to synthetic antibiotics, garlic does not kill bacteria useable for organism and even vice versa, stimulates them. Since herbal discussion is based on holistic approach measure up herbalist starts his intervention with long wonder with a patient. His interview sometimes covers different spheres of clients life because in alternative medicine physical health is not garbled from mental and emotional state.Latest researches prove that a lot of illnesses make psychosomatic nature and that is why it is not enough to treat only physical side of the problem. The cause of the problem, which causes an illness, can sometimes differ from a diagnosis made by mainstream professionals. Special diet and exercising can be added to the course of he rbal treatment in order to improve the result. Peculiarities of Herbal Medicine Herbal treatment can be used for treating practically all known diseases and in the around cases herbs can replace synthetic drugs used in conventional medicine.Effectiveness of herbs is proved by multiple investigations. Herbal remedies are used for different purposes. They can improve digestion, stimulate respiratory and circulatory systems of organism. Other kinds of herbal remedies are used to improve the functioning of nervous and endocrine systems. Stimulating these systems helps to strengthen immune system. Herbs perfectly remove toxins from organism. Usually herbs are classified according to the sphere of their use. Some herbs are used to stimulate nervous activity, other have antiseptic action and are used to treat infections. Medical use of herbs is diverse.Herbs are used to make oils, infusions, tinctures, and salves. There are several ways of herbal administration. Herbs can be drunk, other s are used for external treatment only. There are special herbal capsules. Mainstream physicians rarely prescribe herbal treatment and those, who want to be tempered with the help of herbs should find qualified herbalist of naturopathic physician. Unfortunately, insurance companies very rarely cover the cost of herbal treatment. This kind of treatment can be covered only in the cases when herbal treatment is prescribed by mainstream physician. Herbalism vs. formal Medicine customary medicine is often opposed to herbalism. There are several bring out differences, which differ these ii systems. Despite orthodox medicine is a bossy medical system there are a lot of people who turn to alternative methods, including herbal remedies. There are several factors, which explain this phenomenon. First of all orthodox medicine shows its failure. There are a lot of cases when synthetic drugs can not help people. As states Williams, the make clean created by the abandonment of nutrition by o rthodox medicine, is directly accountable for nutrition becoming an alternative therapy.In other words, the so called food faddists and nutrition quacks so often complained about by the medical profession, owe their very existence and continued survival to orthodox medicine Nature, as they say, abhors a vacuum. (Williams, 112) Growing popularity of herbal medicine proves his thesis about the failing of orthodox medicine. The conflict betwixt conventional and herbal medicine presents two different systems of believes. These two systems show two different approaches to human health. Representatives of orthodox medicine do not want any changes to occur.They do not recognize alternative medicine as a valid system of treating people. At the same time there are representatives of orthodox medicine, who use alternative methods as a supplementary means to their orthodox methods. In this case we meet a kind of controversy when orthodox specialists use separate holistic methods while rejec ting holistic medicine in general. Conventional medicine does not use individual approach to each patient. In conventional medicine all similar symptoms are usually treated by same medicines.Many patients feel alienated by their physicians, who do not always seem to treat them as individuals. This alienation is compound by the often extreme costs of high-tech medicine. Further, many synthetic drugs have adverse side effects, or have been utilized to the point of no longer being effective (Bruno) Modern herbalism is based on several principles. First of all its main goal is to optimize health and wellness. The evince in treatment is made on the state of the person as a whole, but not separate symptoms. Individual approach is one of main principles of herbal medicine.Uniqueness of each individual is a main treasure in herbal medicine. Such an approach is contrasted to conventional medicine which uses standard approach to all patients. Conventional medicine uses a single drug to tre at single disease. Herbal medicine treats each patient individually. Herbal specialists believe that similar symptoms of illnesses can be caused by different reasons and that is why they treat each person individually. Herbal medicine is based on the principle of fragile balance, which maintains our mind and body in healthy condition. When this balance is broken a disease starts.In this case disease is regarded as a signal about broken balance and that is why herbal medicine makes everything possible to renew the balance. Such an approach can not guarantee quick treating of all symptoms because all treatment is enjoin to renew balance. Specialists of herbal medicine believe that organism is able to cure itself as soon as its balance is renewed. As states Leonard Bruno Thus the person who takes an herbal remedy should not always expect to see all symptoms disappear immediately, since the natural medicine is intended rather to support the bodys systems.The graceful functioning body will then remedy the symptoms (Bruno) Holistic approach used in herbalism is contrasted to philosophy of reductionism, expressed by conventional medicine. Orthodox medicine aims to achieve the state of optimum health where people put through as little pain symptoms as possible. Holistic medicine derives from the impulse of holism or balanced functioning of an organism, which becomes the main sours of healthy condition. As states Williams in his book Nutrition against Disease Unlike reductionism, holism does not seek to fragment, or impose artificial limitations upon, human knowledge and learning. preferably than dissect the body into numerous separate and independent functional areas , it recognises the mutuality of our various bodily systems. (Williams, 79) When speaking about dissecting the body into pieces, he definitely speaks about orthodox medicine, which does not regard human body as a one organic unity and treats each symptom and each organ separately. Merits and Demerit s of Herbal Medicine Herbal remedies have a lot of advantages. First of all they are natural products, which have mild effect on human organism. Herbal medicines can be used to treat practically all illnesses.Along with positive sides, herbal medicine have some demerits. Herbal medicines do not have so quick effect as synthetic drugs do. Like it was mentioned before herbal medicines treat the causes of an illness, not its symptoms, that is why it can require longer course of treatment to treat all dysfunctions of an organism. People should be aware that development herbal and conventional medicines together without the doctors advice can be chancy. synthetical and herbal medicines can come in conflict and cause prejudicial effect on human organism.Despite all advantages of herbal medicine and its good impact on human health it is necessary to remember about potential dangers when using herbs for medical purpose. The most toxic and dangerous medicines are produced from plants. i mmanent origin of herbal medication does not make them completely safe. There is a danger of misuse or overuse of medicines produced from plants. It is true that the most remedies produced from plants are safe but it is still necessary to address a doctor before using herbs as medicines.In addition there is danger of different reactions when herbal remedies are used together with conventional medicines. That is why each person must pertain a herbalist before turning to herb treatment. Possible demerits of herbal medicines are fully compensated by positive sides of these remedies. In the most cases herbal remedies are not less effective than synthetic drugs but have much less side effects, if any. Most of conventional drugs have many side effects. Treating one symptom, they hurt other part of an organism. intrinsic remedies never or very seldom cause side effects.Herbal medicines can make an alternative to practically all synthetic drugs and using them people can escape negative ef fects of synthetic drugs. Natural remedies are especially suitable for children who are very sensitive to different chemical components. Herbalism becomes very popular among young parents, who try to use only natural products for their small children. Natural remedies can be used for people, who are allergic to synthetic drugs. Herbalism uses holistic approach, which helps to treat an organism as one whole and individual approach helps to choose treatment effective for each separate individual.That is the reason people turn to herbal medicines again. Conclusion Western history of medicine is mainly the history of herbal medicine and I am sure that herbalism will occupy deserved place in the future medical system. Since ancient times people used herbs to treat different diseases and it was hard to find any disease which could not have being cured with the help of herbal remedies. Herbal medicine went through the period of decline during the time after the Second World War.During this time synthetic drugs replaced herbs and people turned to so called conventional medicine. Nowadays the daub is changed again and people start using more and more herbal medicines. Latest research made by the World Health shaping states that more than 80 percent of people turn to herbal treatment in different forms and believe that it is an effective medical method. (Micozzi) Dispute between herbal and conventional medicine lasts since the development of orthodox medicine and both sides have strong arguments to defend their positions.Herbal medicine is an effective system of treatment and prevention disease and scientific recognition it gets in the authoritative world, is a good proof of its effectiveness. If we consider all reasons pro et contra herbal medicine, we will understand that it deserves to occupy a descent place in the modern world. May be it will not be able to replace orthodox medicine but it can be used as an alternative way of treatment in many cases. deprivation of information about alternative types of treatment often deprives people of additional opportunities to choose treatments suitable for them.Works Cited Bruno C. Leonard Herbal remedies, western. Encyclopedia of Medicine. 20010406. FindArticles. com. 16 Mar. 2007. http//www. findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_g2601/is_0006/ai_2601000663 Butterfield, J. and Sexton, J. sensitive Remedies for Old Ills USA Weekend, Dec 30, 1994-Jan 01, 1995. Helman, C. Culture, Health, and Illness, 3rd ed. Oxford Butterworth Hellman, 1994. Holmes, P, The Energetics of Western Herbs, revised 3rd ed. , Vol. 1, Snow Lotus Press Inc. , Colorado, USA, 1997. . Holmes, P, Jade Remedies, A Chinese Herbal Reference for the West, Vol.1, Snow Lotus Press Inc. , Colorado, USA, 1996. Micozzi, M. ed rudiments of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. New YorkChurchill Livingston, 1996 Mysteriously, L. Western Hebraism, pp 111-120 in Fundamentals of Complementary and Alterative Medicine. New York Churchill Livingston e, 1996. Williams, R. J. , Nutrition Against Disease, Pitman Publishing Corp. , New York, USA, 1971. Shein-Chung Chow Annpey Pong Yu-Wei Chang On Traditional Chinese Medicine clinical Trials Drug Information Journal 2006 40, 4 Health Module pg. 395