Herbal medicine is probably the oldest known form of healthcare, beginning in ancient cultures more than 5,000 years ago. Herbalism is the use of plants as medicine to restore and maintain health by keeping the body in balance.

In the past 150 years, the naturally occurring, biologically active compounds found in plants have been utilized to create pharmaceutical drugs. However, the active compounds from plants can function effectively when taken as teas, tablets, essential oils, ointments, extracts, or other forms.

Herbs can have many properties. They are anti-bacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, sedative, relaxing, tonic, nervine, carminative, restorative, stimulant and insecticidal, among others.

Herbal medicine has a great deal to offer when used to facilitate healing in chronic, ongoing problems. Herbal remedies can be used to treat numerous minor ailments, such as digestive disorders, the common cold, libido, headaches, and a host of other problems traditionally treated by non-prescription, over-the-counter medications. Increasingly, many aspects of herbal medicine have been supported by rigorous scientific research.

...........................................................................................

Return to Therapies page