Herbal remedies use plants, minerals, & other natural substances to naturally improve health issues.
Herbal remedies (herbal medicine) use plants, minerals, and other natural substances with many natural healing properties. People around the world have used traditional herbal remedies to meet their healthcare needs for centuries. Herbal remedies provide a natural way to improve many ailments, decrease symptoms, and maintain health and wellness.
There is a long list of natural herbs with a rich history of medicinal use, each with its particular medicinal properties and benefits. For example, some of the most popular and powerful medicinal plants/herbs include Echinacea, Ginseng, Ginkgo Biloba, Elderberry, St. John’s Wort, Turmeric, Ginger, Valerian Root, and Chamomile.
Echinacea (coneflower) is a popular herbal remedy originally from North America. It has been in Native American practices to treat various ailments, including wounds, toothaches, sore throat, upset stomach, etc. This flowering plant is primarily used to treat and prevent the common cold.
Ginseng is frequently utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to reduce inflammation, boost immunity, improve brain function, and increase energy levels.
Ginkgo biloba (also known as ginkgo) is one of the oldest homeopathic plants and an essential herb in Chinese medicine. It remains a top-selling herbal supplement today. It contains a variety of antioxidants, which provides several benefits. It is best known for its ability to boost brain health.
Elderberry is an ancient herb used to relieve headaches, nerve pain, toothaches, colds, viral infections, and constipation. Also, commonly used to treat symptoms associated with the flu and the common cold.
St. John’s wort (SJW) is a herbal medicine historically utilized to improve wound healing, alleviate insomnia, depression, and various kidney and lung diseases. Nowadays, practitioners prescribe it to treat mild to moderate depression. This herbal supplement interferes with several conventional medicines, so always consult your healthcare provider before using SJW.
Turmeric is a plant that has potent anti-inflammatory properties. It is beneficial for many conditions, including chronic inflammation, chronic pain, nausea, anxiety, immune function, etc. Because of its well-known anti-inflammatory benefits, it is especially effective for treating arthritis pain.
Ginger is a herbal medicine that contains chemicals that may reduce nausea and inflammation. Ginger can help treat colds, nausea, migraines, high blood pressure, etc.
Valerian Root is sometimes known as “Nature’s Valium,” whose properties induce tranquility and a sense of calm. Its use goes back to ancient Rome and Greece to relieve restlessness, tremors, headaches, and heart palpitations. Today, it is often used as a natural sleep and anti-anxiety aid.
Chamomile is a flowering plant and considered one of the most popular herbal medicines globally. Chamomile can help treat nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain, urinary tract infections, upper respiratory infections, and a broad range of other ailments.
Even though herbal medicines come from natural sources, like conventional drugs, herbal supplements carry many possible side effects or interfere with other medications.
*Before taking any herbal remedy or supplement, always consult with your healthcare provider. If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, always talk to your healthcare provider before taking any herbal medicine.
Conditions Treated
- Pain Conditions: Musculoskeletal pain (back, neck, knee, shoulder, elbow, etc.), arthritis, migraines, headaches, sports injuries, fibromyalgia, TMJ, post-operative recovery, nervous system disorders.
- Respiratory Disorders: Asthma, allergies, sinus problems.
- Gastrointestinal Disorders: Irritable bowel syndrome, food allergies, ulcers, gastritis, acid reflux, indigestion, constipation/diarrhea.
- Women’s Health: Infertility, PMS, menstrual irregularities, endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, menopause, hormonal imbalances, postpartum depression, and reproductive disorders.
- Men’s Health: Incontinence, impotence, erectile dysfunction, prostate problems.
- Supplemental Health: Often used to assist with symptoms of some western medical therapies. An example: to decrease nausea for chemotherapy patients.
- Addictions: Smoking, drugs, alcohol.
- Mental/Emotional: Depression, anxiety, insomnia, sleep disturbances, and stress.
How Do Herbal Remedies Work?
Like Acupuncture, herbal remedies/medicine is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They are used to treat a wide array of conditions using the Oriental Medicine theory of regulating the flow of Qi and blood in the body to promote health and wellness.
Each of the plants, minerals, and other natural substances have their special properties and ways they act upon the body to promote health and wellness.