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What is herbal medicine?
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Photo by Sergio Roberto
Herbal medicine is the use of plants in a medicinal fashion to increase health and wellness. Herbs have been used as medicine for centuries and the pharmaceutical industry has grown out of that history.
The use of plants as medicine has been documented as far back as 3,000 B.C. in many different cultures around the world. Scripture references talk about the use of herbs and spices, ancient Sumerians had pharmacy-like shops for medicinal herbs and Chinese texts contain hundreds of herbal recipes and preparations.
Modern herbalism has become a blend of scientific research, chemical biology and historical folklore. Methods of preparation have become more uniform, making it easier to administer herbs in safe and controlled amounts. Still, part of the beauty of herbal medicine is that there is always a sense of art and personalization present.
Herbs are administered in food preparations, diffusions, powdered and poured into capsules, brewed into tea or concentrated tinctures. Different ways of preparing the herbs will produce varying concentrations.
Many herbal home study programs and herbal training classes are available for family wellness and basic care. These herbal classes will teach the growing, collecting and preparation of herbal remedies, as well as when and how to use herbs medicinally.
Pregnant women, serious conditions and children should not be treated with herbal remedies without consulting a health care professional or licensed herbalist. You should also be sure to mention any herbal remedies you are taking to your pharmacist if you are also using any prescription or over-the-counter medications.
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