Herbal medicine explained
What is herbal medicine? How do herbal medicines work? A small insight into this multi-faceted healing modality that recognises the therapeutic potential of plants...
Herbal medicine, also known as phytotherapy or herbalism, is the art and science of using the unique therapeutic properties of plants to treat illness and assist the body in regaining balance. This practice has been traced back 60,000 years and provided the basis for the great medical systems in human history. Herbal medicine continues to expand and mature, but is forever inspired by the interdependence of plants and humans evolving together and creating an integrated biological matrix of life.
How do herbal medicines work?
Plants contain a myriad of active chemicals (constituents) that work synergistically with one another. These chemicals have the ability to stimulate or strengthen the body's normal functions and aid in healing an acute or chronic illness. When we consume plant constituents, they have certain effects on the body which herbalists call "herbal actions". For example, dandelion has a bitter action which helps stimulate digestive juices and liver detoxification, California poppy has a hypnotic action which helps induce a deep and healing sleep, and chamomile has a carminative action which helps promote easeful digestion.
Different types of herbal medicine
When you hear the term "herbal medicine" this encapsulates many different forms. This can be the simple act of drinking herbal tea or taking a personalised liquid formula over a longer period of time. Infusions and decoctions, liquid herbs or "tinctures", salves, powders, capsules, balms, and infused oils are all examples of herbal medicines. They are made from the leaves, flowers, stems, bark, and roots of plants. You can also use medicinal herbs in your food in so many ways such as: soups, salads, stocks, broths, infused oils and butters, jams, dressings, infused vinegars and honeys.
The use of plants in pharmaceuticals
Many conventional drugs are derived from plants and are respected in pharmaceutical research as a major resource for medicine development and production. For example, codeine is an analgesic derived from the opium poppy, digitoxin is a cardiotonic from foxglove, and aspirin is derived from willow bark and meadowsweet. Isolating chemical compounds deters from the principles of herbal medicine which recognises the healing power and potential of a plant exists in the sum of its parts. Nevertheless, exciting research continues to discover the infinite reserves of chemical constituents within many plants that have an impact on the human body.