Herbal Medicine: What is Herbal Medicine and is it Safe?

Herbal Medicine is a form of alternative medicine based on the use of
plants in the form of herbal supplements, raw herbs, herbal extracts,
herbal tinctures, and other herbal remedies such as tablets,
ointments, and capsules. Herbal medicine use is on the rise. Many
health enthusiasts are turning to this natural, plant-based form of
medicine as opposed to the chemical, pharmaceutical choice. A natural
form of medicine, herbal medicine is the most ancient form of
medicine on the planet. Many modern day prescriptions and
conventional medicines are based on a form of herbal medicine.

What Is Herbal Medicine?

Herbal medicine is the use of plants to treat disease. Oftentimes
called herbalism, herbology, or botanical medicine, herbal medicine is
considered 'alternative' in the modern day, though it has an
extensive and esteemed history. Many herbalists use the entire plant,
from the flowers, stems, leaves, and roots, in the form of everything
from teas to tablets. These plants contain natural, chemical
substances that can treat the body for various ailments.

The History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal Medicine dates back to prehistoric times. Primitive man used
plants for everything from shelter and food, to clothing and medicine.
Herbal medicine evolved over time, with observation and
experimentation. Each village and tribe throughout the world observed
and experimented with the natural plant world around them and
developed a knowledge base of regional herbs and herbal medicines.
Many of these primitive herbal experimentations hold true today, with
many conventional medicines stemming from herbal origins. For
instance, morphine originated from the use of the opium poppy herb,
while Echinacea was the common herbal treatment to fight off infection
prior to the creation of antibiotics.

Modern Day Herbal Medicine

While some people feel that herbal remedies are an 'alternative'
form of holistic medicine, they are actually the bases of at least
one-fourth of all conventional medicines. Today, many plants are
synthesized for pharmaceutical use, stemming from ancient, healing
traditions of herbal medicine. If you are seeking to find a more
natural and gentle form of medicine, you may want to visit a local
health food store or try to find a local herbalist. Tinctures,
extracts, teas, lozenges, ointments, salves, rubs, tablets, and
capsules, are available at most health food stores and can be
wonderful, natural alternatives to conventional medicines.

If using herbal medicine it is recommended that you let you doctor
know each and every herb that you ingest to prevent a reaction between
the herbs and any allopathic medicines that you may be using.

_By: *Healing Headquarters LLC*_

*About the Author:*

*HealingHq.com* [1]

www.healinghq.com [2]

Jaye Drummond, editor-in-chief

Healing Headquarters LLC
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Suite 101
Springfield, OH 45502

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Telephone: (888) 732-8745
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