Herbal Medicine

Being a part of utility(a) action, herbalism is often opposed to Jewish-Orthodox cargon for. I deal that herbalism deal make a broad(a) competition to conventional medicine as it has not only a set of methods to cure pack, but also a developed philosophical and cultural background, which makes it a complicated system. herb teatime Medicine is a medial system, which helps to maintain good health and prevent illnesses.Herbal practiti unmatchedrs state that good health is much more than an absence of disease. Normal functioning of the body and good work of both systems and organs of an organism is the main and ultimate destination of preference medicine.History of Herbal Medicine The history of herbalism counts more than five hundred years. Western herbal medicine was founded to the highest degree 5000 years ago. Since ancient times tenders utilise herbs for food, medicine and making clothes. The term herb is usu bothy utilise to speak ab let on the plant which is us e for medical purposes. So c from each oneed herbs attain been used for centuries to treat people from various diseases. Archaeologists stay that herbs generate been used by humans since the Middle Paleolithic era, which is dated more than 61,000 years ago. (Butterfield) Herbal remedies were used in Egypt, Greece, Rome and Middle East.Columbus and other travelers who succeeded him brought a lot of new herbal remedies to Europe. Herbal remedies became especially popular during the era of total heat VIII. A new science, which combined the use of herbs and astrology, was developed during his rule. Herbal medicine was used for centuries and newfangled medicine did not appear until the end of the Second bea War. Technological development made it possible to produce unreal drugs, which gradually replaced herbal remedies. today herbal plants become more and more popular. People go away realizing that reducing pain symptoms is not enough to cure illness.Herbal medicine is able to give them choice to Orthodox medicine, which treats only symptoms but not the causes of the illnesses. Nowadays there is a separate branch of herbalism called pharmacognosy. This science is preoccupied with the study of drugs produced from plants and animals. There are a lot of sources from which people obtain knowledge somewhat the characteristics of disaccordent plants. Much herbal knowledge is obtained through attentive empirical observation of a plants effects on humans. In some traditions, intuition and reverend teachings are important.Many traditional herbalists deliberate in a life force that is yet to be fully understood. (Mysteriously, 119) In addition by mystical approach, modern science gives rational explanations of dissentent components, which create a healing effect of herbs. Only specialists know that a lot of modern medicines used in pharmacology originally derived from plants. Components, which are used to produce synthetic medicaments, derive from essential products. For example, aspirin was originally produced from the bark of willow tree diagram and morphine is achieved from poppy.Most herbs used in herbal medicine swallow well-studied and explained peculiarities, which explain their curing effect. Old art of herbal treating is almost forgotten now and synthetic drugs have replaced natural products but people cacography remembering more or less the positive effect of herbal treatment and it becomes more and more popular in the modern world. scientific study gives excess reasons to make confidence in alternative medicine in general and herbalism in particular. Scientists continue to uncover new qualities of herbs, which give additional opportunities in the sphere of medicine.In 1993, the British medical journal Lancet reported that in tests conducted in both Germany and Italy, extracts from the ancient Chinese ginkgo tree were successful in treating cerebral insufficiency in older patients. As a remedy that rectifys the circulati on of blood to the head, it is able to help the memory of elderly people. (Bruno) ancient people, who could cure practically any disease with the help of herbs possessed knowledge practically lost nowadays. Latest statistics shows that interest to herbal treatment has increased during begrudge time.People are looking for the ways to be healthy and holistic approach used by herbal medicine appeals to many of them. Herbalism as a Part of Alternative Medicine normally herbal remedies are used by the practitioners of so called holistic medicine, who believe that there is inner force indoors of each human being and this force rotter help to maintain physical and mental health. Despite the practitioners of holistic medicine do not jib germ theory of illness applied in traditional medicine, they state that this theory does not give convincing explanations about the reasons of illnesses.As states Leonard Bruno in his obligate Western Herbal Remedies They argue that many diseases and co nditions come about because the individuals inner force or natural immune system is weakened or out of balance. Therefore, they prescribe herbal or plant remedies that are found in nature in order to return an individuals natural inner balance, strengthen the oppositeness to disease, and maintain good health. (Bruno) Herbalists use a plant as a whole to treat their patients. In contrast to conventional medicine, where healing characteristics of medicines are establish on single chemical constituents, herbal specialists use plants. apiece plant provides a unique combination of elements and curing effect is achieved by this unique combination. Herbalists believe that even if we take a combination of all components, which constitute one plant, they will not be as strong as same components, which are found in this plant. So called whole plant philosophy is based on the idea that plant is much more than a sum of its components. Each plant consists of hundreds of diametric elements an d their combination is unique for each plant. This combination gives plant its unique characteristics, which are used in herbal medicine.An effect, created by the sum of components and elements bringed in the planed is called synergism. This peculiarity of herbal medicine becomes a subject of controversy because it is not accepted by conventionally trained professionals. The list of active constituents can not serve as an explanation of curing effects of herbal medicines. Herbal remedies influence human body in same chemical manner as synthetic drugs do. From the other boldness there are several distinctions, which make an effect of herbal medicines and synthetic drugs on organism different.Herbal medicines consist of embarrassing combination of different elements and these elements affect several organs. These elements get to blood by indirect ways that is why their effect can be not as quick as the one of synthetic medicines but it will definitely be more extensive. Herbs gener ally make a complex pharmaceutical system. They contain vitamins, minerals, trace elements of different oils, alkaloids, tannins and many other elements. Complexity of effects herbs have on human organism can be traced on different examples.For example, both, tea and coffee contain practically similar dozes of caffeine but everybody knows that coffee usually has stronger stimulating effect. This effect can be explained by big measuring rod of tannin, contained in tea. Tannin prevents caffeine from absorbing and this reduces teas stimulating effect. (Holmes, 118) Another example is a comparison of synthetic antibiotics and garlic. Garlic is known as one of the best natural antibiotics but its action is based in principles, which differ from the action of antibiotics.Antibiotics kill bacteria and stop illness. But they kill all kinds of bacteria, including ones which are necessary for good functioning of an organism. In contrast to synthetic antibiotics, garlic does not kill bacteri a useful for organism and even depravity versa, stimulates them. Since herbal treatment is based on holistic approach qualified herbalist starts his treatment with long interview with a patient. His interview sometimes covers different spheres of clients life because in alternative medicine physical health is not separated from mental and emotional state.Latest researches prove that a lot of illnesses have psychosomatic nature and that is why it is not enough to treat only physical side of the problem. The cause of the problem, which causes an illness, can sometimes differ from a diagnosis made by mainstream professionals. Special diet and exercising can be added to the course of herbal treatment in order to improve the result. Peculiarities of Herbal Medicine Herbal treatment can be used for treating practically all known diseases and in the most cases herbs can replace synthetic drugs used in conventional medicine.Effectiveness of herbs is proved by multiple investigations. Herba l remedies are used for different purposes. They can improve digestion, stimulate respiratory and circulatory systems of organism. Other kinds of herbal remedies are used to improve the functioning of nervous and endocrine systems. Stimulating these systems helps to strengthen immune system. Herbs perfectly remove toxins from organism. Usually herbs are classified according to the sphere of their use. Some herbs are used to stimulate nervous activity, other have antiseptic action and are used to treat infections. Medical use of herbs is diverse.Herbs are used to make oils, infusions, tinctures, and salves. There are several ways of herbal administration. Herbs can be drunk, others are used for external treatment only. There are special herbal capsules. Mainstream physicians rarely prescribe herbal treatment and those, who want to be treated with the help of herbs should point out qualified herbalist of naturopathic physician. Unfortunately, insurance companies very rarely cover the cost of herbal treatment. This kind of treatment can be covered only in the cases when herbal treatment is prescribed by mainstream physician. Herbalism vs. Conventional MedicineConventional medicine is often opposed to herbalism. There are several key differences, which differ these two systems. Despite orthodox medicine is a dominating medical system there are a lot of people who turn to alternative methods, including herbal remedies. There are several factors, which explain this phenomenon. First of all orthodox medicine shows its failure. There are a lot of cases when synthetic drugs can not help people. As states Williams, the vacuum created by the abandonment of nutrition by orthodox medicine, is directly responsible for nutrition becoming an alternative therapy.In other words, the so called food faddists and nutrition quacks so often complained about by the medical profession, owe their very existence and continued survival to orthodox medicine Nature, as they say, abhors a vacuum. (Williams, 112) Growing popularity of herbal medicine proves his thesis about the failing of orthodox medicine. The conflict between conventional and herbal medicine presents two different systems of believes. These two systems show two different approaches to human health. Representatives of orthodox medicine do not want any changes to occur.They do not recognize alternative medicine as a valid system of treating people. At the same time there are representatives of orthodox medicine, who use alternative methods as a supplementary means to their orthodox methods. In this case we meet a kind of controversy when orthodox specialists use separate holistic methods while rejecting holistic medicine in general. Conventional medicine does not use individual approach to each patient. In conventional medicine all similar symptoms are usually treated by same medicines.Many patients feel alienated by their physicians, who do not always seem to treat them as individuals. This alienatio n is compounded by the often extreme costs of high-tech medicine. Further, many synthetic drugs have adverse side effects, or have been overused to the point of no longer being effective (Bruno) Modern herbalism is based on several principles. First of all its main goal is to optimize health and wellness. The accent in treatment is made on the state of the person as a whole, but not separate symptoms. Individual approach is one of main principles of herbal medicine.Uniqueness of each individual is a main treasure in herbal medicine. Such an approach is contrasted to conventional medicine which uses standard approach to all patients. Conventional medicine uses a single drug to treat single disease. Herbal medicine treats each patient individually. Herbal specialists believe that similar symptoms of illnesses can be caused by different reasons and that is why they treat each person individually. Herbal medicine is based on the principle of slender balance, which maintains our mind an d body in healthy condition. When this balance is broken a disease starts.In this case disease is regarded as a signal about broken balance and that is why herbal medicine makes everything possible to renew the balance. Such an approach can not guarantee quick treating of all symptoms because all treatment is directed to renew balance. Specialists of herbal medicine believe that organism is able to cure itself as soon as its balance is renewed. As states Leonard Bruno hence the person who takes an herbal remedy should not always expect to see all symptoms disappear immediately, since the natural medicine is intended rather to support the bodys systems.The veracious functioning body will then remedy the symptoms (Bruno) Holistic approach used in herbalism is contrasted to philosophy of reductionism, expressed by conventional medicine. Orthodox medicine aims to achieve the state of optimum health where people experience as little pain symptoms as possible. Holistic medicine derives from the notion of holism or balanced functioning of an organism, which becomes the main sours of healthy condition. As states Williams in his book Nutrition against Disease Unlike reductionism, holism does not seek to fragment, or take down artificial limitations upon, human knowledge and learning.Rather than dissect the body into numerous separate and independent functional areas , it recognises the interdependence of our various bodily systems. (Williams, 79) When speaking about dissecting the body into pieces, he definitely speaks about orthodox medicine, which does not regard human body as a one organic unity and treats each symptom and each organ separately. Merits and Demerits of Herbal Medicine Herbal remedies have a lot of advantages. First of all they are natural products, which have cushy effect on human organism. Herbal medicines can be used to treat practically all illnesses.Along with positive sides, herbal medicine have some demerits. Herbal medicines do not have s o quick effect as synthetic drugs do. Like it was mentioned before herbal medicines treat the causes of an illness, not its symptoms, that is why it can require longer course of treatment to treat all dysfunctions of an organism. People should be aware that using herbal and conventional medicines together without the doctors advice can be dangerous. Synthetic and herbal medicines can come in conflict and cause negative effect on human organism.Despite all advantages of herbal medicine and its good impact on human health it is necessary to remember about potential dangers when using herbs for medical purpose. The most toxic and dangerous medicines are produced from plants. Natural origin of herbal medication does not make them completely safe. There is a danger of debase or overuse of medicines produced from plants. It is true that the most remedies produced from plants are safe but it is still necessary to address a doctor before using herbs as medicines.In addition there is dange r of different reactions when herbal remedies are used together with conventional medicines. That is why each person must bear on a herbalist before turning to herb treatment. Possible demerits of herbal medicines are fully compensated by positive sides of these remedies. In the most cases herbal remedies are not less effective than synthetic drugs but have much less side effects, if any. Most of conventional drugs have many side effects. Treating one symptom, they hurt other part of an organism. Natural remedies never or very seldom cause side effects.Herbal medicines can make an alternative to practically all synthetic drugs and using them people can escape negative effects of synthetic drugs. Natural remedies are especially adapted for children who are very sensitive to different chemical components. Herbalism becomes very popular among young parents, who try to use only natural products for their small children. Natural remedies can be used for people, who are allergic to synt hetic drugs. Herbalism uses holistic approach, which helps to treat an organism as one whole and individual approach helps to choose treatment effective for each separate individual.That is the reason people turn to herbal medicines again. Conclusion Western history of medicine is mainly the history of herbal medicine and I am sure that herbalism will occupy deserved place in the future medical system. Since ancient times people used herbs to treat different diseases and it was hard to find any disease which could not have being cured with the help of herbal remedies. Herbal medicine went through the period of line of descent during the time after the Second World War.During this time synthetic drugs replaced herbs and people turned to so called conventional medicine. Nowadays the situation is changed again and people start using more and more herbal medicines. Latest research made by the World Health Organization states that more than 80 percent of people turn to herbal treatment in different forms and believe that it is an effective medical method. (Micozzi) Dispute between herbal and conventional medicine lasts since the development of orthodox medicine and both sides have strong arguments to defend their positions.Herbal medicine is an effective system of treatment and prevention disease and scientific recognition it gets in the official world, is a good proof of its effectiveness. If we consider all reasons pro et contra herbal medicine, we will understand that it deserves to occupy a descent place in the modern world. May be it will not be able to replace orthodox medicine but it can be used as an alternative way of treatment in many cases. Lack of information about alternative types of treatment often deprives people of additional opportunities to choose treatments suitable for them.Works Cited Bruno C. Leonard Herbal remedies, western. Encyclopedia of Medicine. 20010406. FindArticles. com. 16 Mar. 2007. http//www. findarticles. com/p/articles/mi_g2601 /is_0006/ai_2601000663 Butterfield, J. and Sexton, J. in the altogether Remedies for Old Ills USA Weekend, Dec 30, 1994-Jan 01, 1995. Helman, C. Culture, Health, and Illness, 3rd ed. Oxford Butterworth Hellman, 1994. Holmes, P, The Energetics of Western Herbs, revised 3rd ed. , Vol. 1, pull the wool over someones eyes Lotus Press Inc. , Colorado, USA, 1997. . Holmes, P, Jade Remedies, A Chinese Herbal Reference for the West, Vol.1, Snow Lotus Press Inc. , Colorado, USA, 1996. Micozzi, M. ed Fundamentals of Complementary and Alternative Medicine. New YorkChurchill Livingston, 1996 Mysteriously, L. Western Hebraism, pp 111-120 in Fundamentals of Complementary and Alterative Medicine. New York Churchill Livingstone, 1996. Williams, R. J. , Nutrition Against Disease, Pitman Publishing Corp. , New York, USA, 1971. Shein-Chung Chow Annpey Pong Yu-Wei Chang On Traditional Chinese Medicine Clinical Trials Drug Information Journal 2006 40, 4 Health Module pg. 395