Understanding Herbology

The use of herbs as early forms of medicine or healing aid dates back centuries, as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, East Indian, Chinese, and many South American Cultures. Herbs are generally safe and like warm sunshine, natural and beneficial to mind, body and spirit, not to mention affordable compared to prescription medicine. Herbs can be listed in three main categories, food, medicinal, and poisonous.

Confusion Is Only Illusion

Herb can be pronounced with the "h" (H-E-R-B) or without it (E-R-B). Either pronunciation is correct. You'll notice that I have "an" in front of the "herb" word when appropriate. I do this for readers that wish to leave the "h" in herb silent and simply pronounce it as "erb".

The Big Three

Food herbs: Supports the positive aspects of the body, cleanses its system and maintains holistic balance. Food herbs can be consumed in great amounts without fear of losing its benefits.

Medicinal herbs: They are used for a short period of time to fight infections, flu and similar ailments when the need occurs. The time limit is used, because prolong use (overuse), may take away its medicinal benefits.

Poisonous herbs: I know what you're thinking, why use poisonous herbs at all, because this category of herbs poses no real threat. Like any type of powerful remedy, if they are misused in anyway, they have the potential to foster the decrease of health or even death. Another reason why poisonous herbs are used, is because they promote short term specific benefits.

Therapeutic Synergy

Therapeutic plants are fascinating entities unto themselves. They contain phytochemical properties that were created millions of years ago. These same phytochemical properties have been dancing hand in hand with evolution up to our present time. Providing us and many other animals that consume them, with both healing and health benefits that take our hand and lead us into their therapeutic dance festival.

An herb may contain thousands of phytochemical properties, all existing and working in unison towards the plants own health and existence. The total collection of those phytochemicals within a plant, are usually working together in a synergistic way to provide the therapeutic benefits that we need.

Synthetic Copies

The drug manufacturers may copy some of the benefits of herbs by distilling it down to just a few of its original phytochemicals in order to create a chemical rival for profit. Most often, the chemical counterpart may have a tremendous amount of side effects, because it no longer resembles the original design, created by millions of years of plant evolution. Some herbs have no synthetic counterparts whatsoever. Most herbs unlike there prescription brothers, are non evasive to the human body. Meaning, they cause very little to zero side effects, depending on what and how much dosage you're using.

Sensibility Is Key

It would be wise to consult your health care professional before undertaking any therapeutic herbal program. Some herbs have a tendency to increase the effects of prescription drugs and others simply to neutralize the drug's potency. In the worse case scenario, herbs when taken with medical drugs will cause some serious harm and side effects.

Most herbal supplements already have a recommended dosage on the label, but it would still be wise to work with your physician or health care professional, since they may be in a position to know what herbs and drugs cannot be taken together.

Gabriel Foster is the editor for http://www.gabrielfoster.com, the online magazine for both vegetarians and natural health enthusiasts.

---

Heres Hope for Parkinsons Disease

Frank's 85 year-old father was in advanced stages of Parkinson's.Confined... Read More

Prenatal Massage

What is prenatal massage? Prenatal Massage is a form of... Read More

Plain Soap as a Natural Method of Infection Prevention

It is estimated that 80 percent of communicable illnesses are... Read More

Ive Given Away Control of My Life To Doctors?and Now I Want It Back.

But How Realistic Is It For You To Start Managing... Read More

Herbal Medicine for Diabetes

Herbs used in traditional Indian medicine to treat diabetes seems... Read More

Health - Its All in the Mind

Do you ever listen to other people's conversations? I mean... Read More

The Raindrop Technique Massage

Raindrop Technique is a procedure for applying therapeutic grade essential... Read More

Medical Massage

What is MEDICAL MASSAGE? Medical Massage is sometimes defined as... Read More

Homemade Bath Products...the Pros and Cons

When you surf the Internet to find proper bath products... Read More

About Candida, Its Symptoms & Treatment

Candida is a fungal infection affecting the moist external area... Read More

That Popeye Knew a Thing or Two!

For a few weeks the lumps in my throat were... Read More

Buyer Beware: Is That Ergonomic Chair Really Ergonomic?

Not everybody knows exactly what ergonomic means, but it's getting... Read More

Reiki

REIKI is a form of natural healing through direct application... Read More

Air Fresheners, Or Are They?

For years I've prided myself on believing that I take... Read More

The Benefit of Royal Jelly

Royal Jelly is a milky substance produced by the worker... Read More

Shamanic Healing & Soul Retrieval

Shamanic healing is one of the vast numbers of healing... Read More

What Causes Osteoporosis and Ten Changes You Can Make to Reduce Your Risk of Osteoporosis

Ten Simple Lifestyle Changes You Can Make to Reduce Your... Read More

Three Immune System Building Natural Remedies

Here are three products that can help you elevate your... Read More

Therapeutic Massage Goes Main Stream

Have you ever bumped your knee or elbow? What was... Read More

Exercise: Tai Chi for Mind, Body, and Spirit

The practice of Tai Chi combines flowing movement and breathing... Read More

My Search for Happiness in the First Year of Sobriety

DAY 1: HOUR BY HOURHappiness in sobriety? Could this really... Read More

Constipation Remedy Using Apples and Other Juices

Here are two constipation remedies that you can use for... Read More

Emu Oil: Wonder Cure or Snake Oil?

In my search for at-home spa treatments and home herbal... Read More

Not Sure About the Mind?Body Connection? You Already Use It To Produce Pain Relief

But Not Nearly Often EnoughIf you're skeptical about your ability... Read More

Complementary Medicine

Complementary Medicine is the use of natural therapy and medicines... Read More