An Overview of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine is both a study of its own and a component of many alternative and complementary medical therapies. It advocates the use of natural herbs and substances in the treatment of disease and the promotion of health. The systems of traditional medicines in many countries are tied to treatment of many conditions with various herbs and combinations of herbs.

Herbal medicine, based on the use of plants and plant extracts for medical reasons, is possibly one of the oldest of all medical disciplines. There is evidence that plants were used medicinally as much as 60,000 years ago. There is also a great deal of evidence that many herbal remedies are effective at treating the diseases for which they are prescribed. In fact, many of today’s drugs and over the counter medications are plant-based.

Herbal medicine is a major component of several alternative medical systems, including traditional Western folk medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurveda Herbs may be used fresh, dried, powdered or crushed. They may be used in extracts, teas, tinctures or as poultices or compresses. Included in overviews of herbal medicine is the appropriate spicing of foods and beverages, the use of herbal teas to treat disease and promote well-being and the use of herbs to disinfect, deodorize, heal and promote healing by the body.

The Evidence For:
Plants contain many substances that have biological effects on the body. There have been many studies and trials of various herbs used for medical purposes. The results of those studies vary by herb, but there are enough positives to warrant further investigation into many of the traditional uses for herbs. Among the positives:
While Echinacea did not prevent colds in two clinical trials, it did lessen the severity of the symptoms. As a side note, those who took Echinacea during their first cold had significantly fewer colds during the rest of the season.

- Black cohosh has been shown to be effective in relieving the symptoms of menopause and dysmenorrhea.
- Garlic lowers total cholesterol, reduces blood pressure and has antibacterial properties.
- Peppermint tea is effective in combating nausea.
- Chamomile tea induces relaxation and sleepiness.

These are just a few examples of many studies that prove the effectiveness of herbs in common use.

The Criticisms
Because herbal medicine is not standardized and regulated, there are concerns over safety of using herbal treatments. There is also a misconception among many people that herbal treatments, being all natural, have no harmful side effects. In fact, the chemicals in most plants can be powerful toxins, may interfere with medications being taken for various medical conditions, and may interact with each other in unexpected ways. Physicians and even herbalists warn that the indiscriminate use of herbal medicines can lead to poisoning and serious damage to the body’s organs and systems, as evidenced by the deaths attributed to ephedra.

Because of this, it is strongly recommended that anyone choosing to use herbal medicine be under the care of a knowledgeable herbalist, and inform all their medical practitioners of any herbs and other medications they may be taking.