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Different Types of Herbal Medicine
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In today's world, it seems that almost any topic is open for debate. While I was gathering facts for this article,
I was quite surprised to find some of the issues I thought were settled are actually still being openly discussed.
It seems like new information is discovered about something every day. And the topic of herbal remedy is no exception.
Keep reading to get more fresh news about herbal remedy.
There are many positive aspects that herbal medicine has going for it. Unfortunately, the lack of adequate scientific
understanding means that there is no way a doctor can completely take responsibility for what is being prescribed
and hence the safety factor involved in taking herbal medicines is suspect.
The drugs that we normally take have to undergo thorough testing and need FDA approval. This entire process ensures
that every single chemical in the medicine and its interaction with the human body (and resulting side effects)
are well understood, documented, and scientifically demonstrable.
While herbal medicines enjoy the reputation of being less complicated it should be remembered that they are
manufactured by Mother Nature and she does not need FDA approval or scientific testing.
Fortunately, thousands of years of development have put herbal medicines into a certain safety zone that has helped
many a human being with being cured.
So herbal medicines might be risky but there is no need to worry if you take the simple precaution of consulting
your doctor before consuming any herbal concoction Doctors are sort of walking pharmacopoeias and they know more
about all those chemicals and stuff. They can advise you properly.
Another thing to know with herbal medicine is that different cultures have resulted in different types of herbal
therapies.
Finally, thanks to the Internet and online marketing there is no shortage of frauds selling roots and leaves grown
in their backyards. Make certain that when you get herbal medicine it comes from genuine herbs. The wrong herbs might
possibly contain toxic chemicals that make a trip to the hospital inevitable.
Some common forms of herbal medicines are as follows:
*) Essence. You have probably come across the line "essence of …" followed by some plant or flower when reading an ad
for a cosmetic product. While Essences tend to get associated with cosmetic products due to massive advertising of
those products, certain essential oils are always available for therapeutic purposes. The popularity of essential
herbal oils processed through cold pressing or steam distillation is because many people prefer to get a massage
than eating a pill. The most common benefit of essential oils is the help they provide in relaxing. They do not
really cure any problems. Their major effect is to provide relief.
*) Body massages can release toxins in the muscles, aiding relaxation.
*) Head massages can likewise reduce heaviness or, in some cases, cure headaches. Similarly, chest massages using
essence of certain herbs can help with congestion resulting from common cold.
*) Pills or capsules. There was a time when this alternative was not available. It was a dark time for people who
could not stand the taste of raw herbal medicines. The pills and capsules were a godsend for people who wanted to
try herbal remedies but were unable to swallow. In order to convert a herb to pill form it first needs to be dried
and crushed into powder. What is of interest is that there are hardly any herbal medicines available in pill or
capsule form that target specific ailments. They act more like secondary medications to provide moral support to
whatever primary medication is being taken. Professionals in herbal medicine believe that the drying and crushing
of the herbs robs them of their potency. Others suggest that herbal medicine should be taken in its raw form for
complete effectiveness. Anyway, if you are looking for specific herbal medicines instead of general health enhancers
and supplements then this option is not for you.
*) Infusions. The most popular form of herbal infusion is the drinking of various kinds of tea. Infusion involves
the use of the delicate parts (leaves, seeds, and fruits) of a herbal plant and are quick to administer. Some
ingredients of infusion tea could be stinging nettle, oat straw, red clover, raspberry leaf, and comfrey leaf.
Infusions can be just the tea you drink normally (but using herbs instead of tealeaves) or what is known as Medicinal
Strength Tea. Most herbal teas fall into this category though the preparation is slightly different. There are
several recipes available on the Internet for making Medicinal Strength Tea.
*) Poultice. For injuries, inflammations, cramps, or other spasmodic problems it can become necessary to apply the
herbal mixture as a poultice. The required herbs are first macerated or chopped into small pieces. These are then
applied directly to the affected area and covered with a hot and moist bandage. In some cases, the herbal mixture
can be applied as a layer to the moist bandage before wrapping it around the affected area.
*) Raw. As the name suggests, in this case the herbal medicine is taken in its most natural form without any
additives or changes to make it palatable. Most people will run a mile in tight shoes to avoid this form of
medication. It is the equivalent of taking a regular capsule, pulling it open, taking that powder, putting it on the
tongue and trying to suck on it as if it were chocolate. Not done, well at least not if the taste buds are
functioning normally. No wonder this method in unpopular. The good news is that most of the herbs that need to be
taken raw can alternatively be soaked (or passed through) water to make medicinal strength teas, and those are much
easier on sensitive palates. It is also believed that teas increase the effectiveness of raw herbs.
*) Tinctures. There are very few kids who get exposed to this form of medicine these days but about twenty odd years
ago no kid that got into a scrap in the field escaped the terror of tincture. These are basically herbal medicines
in a liquid form. They can be for external as well as internal use. Modern incarnations are a lot milder that their
older forms.
*) Decoctions. A decoction is a liquid preparation made by boiling a medicinal plant with water usually in the
proportion of 5 parts of the drug to 100 parts of water. Typically, certain specific parts of a plant like berries,
roots, and herb-bark are used in this process. Depending on the consistency of the plant part being used, it can
take up to two hours to prepare a decoction. This process extracts the flavor and increases the concentration of the
herb through the process of boiling.
That more or less covers the different types of herbal medicines available. Depending on your requirement and
personal taste you might need to take them in one of the above forms.
Now that wasn't hard at all, was it? And you've earned a wealth of knowledge, just from taking some time to study
an expert's word on herbal remedy.
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