Medicinal Herbs – Advantages of Using Medicinal Plants and Herbs
Medicinal Herbs – Advantages of Using Medicinal Plants and Herbs
The use and study of medicinal herbs as alternative medicine is an unproven and inexact science, though their usage has spanned through centuries. Though the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has only been established in 1992, they’ve only begun to scratch the scientific surfaces of the study of herbal medicine. Herbal medicine and other aspects of alternative medicine have been the subject of criticism from mainstream medical professionals, even though that numerous drugs in the market being sold today are derived from plants and herbs. Aspirin came from willow bark. A heart medication called Digitalis comes from the extract of toxic foxglove flowers.
Using medicinal herbs offers a lot of advantages, but it is always ideal to consult health professionals prior to using them.
What are these advantages?
1. ) Reduced side effects – A lot of herbal medications can be tolerated by the patient without risk of any side effects, compared to those of pharmaceutical drugs. Medicinal herbs don’t contain any chemicals or preservatives which could harm the body, so long-term use is practically safe.
2. ) Low cost and affordable – Medicinal herbs, or supplements made mostly from them, are relatively cheaper than their pharmaceutical counterparts. What makes pharmaceutical drugs more expensive is that there are numerous testing, researches, and marketing that need to be done, which add to the costs of the entire drug.
3. ) Availability is not an issue – Medicinal herbs can be easily grown right in your backyard, or they can be purchased over-the-counter without the need of any prescription. Peppermint and chamomile are two medicinal herbs that you can easily grow in your backyard. In countries like India and Himalayas, these herbs are being used by the vast majority as it is their only form of medication they have access to.
4. ) They are effective in more ways than one – Medicinal herbs can do so much because of their healing properties. Compared to prescription drugs that are designed to alleviate one kind of symptom, medicinal herbs are able to tackle multiple symptoms all at once and help improve the system of the body. For example, the Gingko Biloba is a herb used for problems with the body’s circulation, but it also includes another benefit like memory enhancement.
5. ) Can be combined with other herbs or drugs– Medicinal herbs do not pose the threat of overdosing, which is why they can be used together with other herbs or drugs. However, it is ideal to consult with your doctor first if you plan to mix your drugs with herbs.
Medicinal herbs may not be as good as treating symptoms like they are at alleviating them, so when your symptoms persist, it’s time to consult your doctor.
