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a Herbal Medicine Practitioner
Herbal Medicine
What Is It?
How Does It Work?
What Happens During Treatment?
What Is It Used For?
Side Effects/Cautions
Recommended Books
What Is It?
Herbal medicine is a system of healing that uses certain plants
to remedy a host of ailments. This ancient and widely used system
can be traced back to Neanderthal society, and ancient Egyptian,
Greek, Roman, Indian and Chinese medicinal practices were based
on herbal healing. Even animals like chimpanzees tend to eat certain
plants when they are ill. Many modern drugs like aspirin, morphine,
steroids and amphetamines are derived from plants.
Herbalism emphasises a holistic approach to healing,
treating people as a whole rather than just their symptoms.
It appears to be growing in popularity as we learn
more about the dangers and side effects of some prescription
drugs.
How Does It Work?
Herbal medicines are extracted from the flowers, leaves, roots
and seeds of plants which contain essential oils, vitamins and
minerals known to have healing properties. Herbalists draw on
their knowledge of these plants to suggest a remedy suitable
for the patient’s specific needs. These remedies are designed
to boost the body’s ability to heal itself.
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What Happens During
Treatment?
Your herbalist will ask about your medical history, diet and lifestyle,
as well as your specific problem. Let her/him know about any prescription
medicines you are taking, or if you are pregnant or suffer from
any serious ailments. Most herbalists will work together with your
doctor if you are receiving medical treatment for specific ailments.
Selected herbs will be recommended to treat your problem,
as well as boost your immune system and increase vitality
needed to prevent further illness. These are given
in a variety of forms, including tinctures, infusions,
ointments, capsules, or lozenges.
As well as herbal remedies, your herbalist may suggest
changes in diet and lifestyle, such as getting more
exercise and quitting smoking.
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What Is It Used
For?
Herbal Medicine has been used successfully to treat a wide variety
of common ailments including colds, coughs, acne, eczema, arthritis,
asthma, digestive problems, migraine, anxiety, depression, high
blood pressure, premenstrual tension, menopausal problems, insomnia,
and many more.
Side Effects/Cautions
Some herbal medicines can interfere with certain prescription medicines
- consult your doctor before taking any herbal treatments.
Certain herbs should be avoided when pregnant. For
example, pennyroyal, black cohosh and goldenseal are
known to induce miscarriages.
Some herbs are very powerful, and should be taken
with care, preferably under the supervision of a trained
herbalist.
If you are taking herbal supplements without the supervision
of an herbalist, check the label carefully for contraindications.
References
Find
a Herbal Medicine Practitioner
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Recommended
Books
Prices are in US Dollars
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Prescription for Herbal
Healing: An Easy-to-Use A-Z Reference to Hundreds
of Common Disorders and Their Herbal Remedies
Phyllis A. Balch
The popularity of herbal medicine has exploded
during the past decade, with herbal remedies
becoming increasingly available in such conventional
outlets as drugstores and even supermarkets.
Prescription for Herbal Healing brings to herbal
medicine the same in-depth, easy-to-understand
information and accessible style that Prescription
for Nutritional Healing successfully brought
to diet and nutritional supplements.
This book is divided into three parts for easy reference.
Part I discusses the basic principles of herbal medicine
and outlines the properties and characteristics of some one
hundred sixty single herbs and sixty herbal combination formulas.
Part II describes more than one hundred fifty common disorders,
conveniently arranged in alphabetical order from acne to
yeast infection, and names the herbal therapies that can
be used in the treatment of those conditions. Part III is
a guide to using various kinds of herbal and other alternative
therapies. In addition, it includes self-diagnostic tests
and boxed insets throughout, which offer detailed information
on a wide variety of topics.
Complete coverage of Chinese and Ayurvedic herbs make this
volume entirely comprehensive, and thorough scientific references
lend it an authority not found in any other herbal book.
Prescription for Herbal Healing is the definitive herbal
resource and is a necessity for any health-conscious consumer.
Learn
more...
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The Green Pharmacy : The Ultimate
Compendium Of Natural Remedies From The World's
Foremost Authority On Healing Herbs (Green
Pharmacy)
James A. Duke
Many diseased and conditions for which we
turn to modern medicine can also be treated
naturally with healing herbs, medicinal food,
other natural remedies--and these treatments
can be safer, less expensive and possibly even
more effective than traditional methods. Dr.
James Duke, the world's leading authority on
healing herbs, leads you through the vast world
of natural remedies--from Anise for Asthma
to Violet for Varicose Veins, and everything
in between. With just a few trips to the health-food
store, the supermarket, or your own backyard--and
with the help of Dr. Duke--you'll have everything
you need to create your own Natural Medicine
Cabinet.
Learn
more...
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Herbal Medicine
R. F. Weiss, Volker Fintelmann
With the new contribution of Dr. Volker Fintelmann,
Weiss's classic text on Herbal Medicine has
been expanded and refocused to meet the needs
of practicing physicians, residents, students,
and other clinicians.
Arranged by organ system, the book's clear structure and
scientific orientation make the topic of herbal medicine
accessible to even the most traditional medical doctor. You
will benefit from the newest research, clinical studies,
and the pivotal findings of the German Commission E on the
efficacy of herbs.
Special features include:
• In-depth coverage of the state-of-the-art of phytotherapy
• Key prescription information highlighted in each chapter
• Superb colour photographs throughout the text
• Two new quick reference sections that maximize your access to the material
-- by herbs and the disorder they are used for, and by disorder and the herbs
used in its treatment
Learn
more...
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Herbal Medicine Books
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