herbal therapy
Herbal Medicine is probably the oldest and most widespread healing method in the world. The famous “Ice Man” of the Alps, a 5000 year old man found frozen in a glacier, had several kinds of medicinal plants and fungi among his possessions; even Chimpanzees have been observed chewing leaves they don’t normally eat with medicinal properties when they are ill.
Every culture in the
world has a long tradition of herbal medicine, but it is only recently
that these medicines are being rediscovered and growing very popular in
the western world. A huge variety of herbs from every corner of the globe
are now available in herb shops, health food stores and on drugstore shelves,
and an herbal remedy can be found to treat practically any medical, psychological
or emotional problem.
A major problem
with herbal remedies is the fact that since they are not currently regulated,
there is no guarantee for consumers that the label on the bottle actually
matches the product in the bottle. Major studies of a large number of
types and brands of herbs has shown that quality is generally low, dosage
is usually lower than the label claims, and that herbal products are often
adulterated with other substances such as caffeine. Some can also be harmful,
especially if used incautiously in combination with pharmaceuticals.
A qualified herbal practitioner should be consulted before any herbal remedy is taken to treat a serious medical condition. It is also important to inform your physician about any herbal remedies you are on as some of the herbs can have negative interactions.
articles
books training
centers
professional
associations
|
|
