Understanding Herbology

The use of herbs as early forms of medicine or healing aid dates back centuries, as far back as the Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, East Indian, Chinese, and many South American Cultures. Herbs are generally safe and like warm sunshine, natural and beneficial to mind, body and spirit, not to mention affordable compared to prescription medicine. Herbs can be listed in three main categories, food, medicinal, and poisonous.

Confusion Is Only Illusion

Herb can be pronounced with the "h" (H-E-R-B) or without it (E-R-B). Either pronunciation is correct. You'll notice that I have "an" in front of the "herb" word when appropriate. I do this for readers that wish to leave the "h" in herb silent and simply pronounce it as "erb".

The Big Three

Food herbs: Supports the positive aspects of the body, cleanses its system and maintains holistic balance. Food herbs can be consumed in great amounts without fear of losing its benefits.

Medicinal herbs: They are used for a short period of time to fight infections, flu and similar ailments when the need occurs. The time limit is used, because prolong use (overuse), may take away its medicinal benefits.

Poisonous herbs: I know what you're thinking, why use poisonous herbs at all, because this category of herbs poses no real threat. Like any type of powerful remedy, if they are misused in anyway, they have the potential to foster the decrease of health or even death. Another reason why poisonous herbs are used, is because they promote short term specific benefits.

Therapeutic Synergy

Therapeutic plants are fascinating entities unto themselves. They contain phytochemical properties that were created millions of years ago. These same phytochemical properties have been dancing hand in hand with evolution up to our present time. Providing us and many other animals that consume them, with both healing and health benefits that take our hand and lead us into their therapeutic dance festival.

An herb may contain thousands of phytochemical properties, all existing and working in unison towards the plants own health and existence. The total collection of those phytochemicals within a plant, are usually working together in a synergistic way to provide the therapeutic benefits that we need.

Synthetic Copies

The drug manufacturers may copy some of the benefits of herbs by distilling it down to just a few of its original phytochemicals in order to create a chemical rival for profit. Most often, the chemical counterpart may have a tremendous amount of side effects, because it no longer resembles the original design, created by millions of years of plant evolution. Some herbs have no synthetic counterparts whatsoever. Most herbs unlike there prescription brothers, are non evasive to the human body. Meaning, they cause very little to zero side effects, depending on what and how much dosage you're using.

Sensibility Is Key

It would be wise to consult your health care professional before undertaking any therapeutic herbal program. Some herbs have a tendency to increase the effects of prescription drugs and others simply to neutralize the drug's potency. In the worse case scenario, herbs when taken with medical drugs will cause some serious harm and side effects.

Most herbal supplements already have a recommended dosage on the label, but it would still be wise to work with your physician or health care professional, since they may be in a position to know what herbs and drugs cannot be taken together.

Gabriel Foster is the editor for http://www.gabrielfoster.com, the online magazine for both vegetarians and natural health enthusiasts.

---

Herbal and Home Remedies that Prevent Memory Loss

Even a single family member who is senile or afflicted... Read More

Herbal Medicine: An Ounce Of Prevention

In recent years the issue of Alternative Healing has taken... Read More

Natural Healing For The Body

Back-to-Nature AromatherapyBack-to-nature is a new health initiative by people living... Read More

Aloe Vera - The Medicine And Beauty Treatment Of Choice For Millenniums

I can remember as a young boy that my grandmother... Read More

5 Low Cost Ways to Soothe the Sting of Sunburn

Each of us most likely has at least one memory... Read More

Headaches/Migraine

"Oh, how densely packed your head is, my sweet," sighs... Read More

Independent Research Proves Effectiveness of Magnotherapy Wristbands

"Magnetic bracelets reduce the pain of osteoarthritis." Those are the... Read More

The Tribrain and Trauma Therapy

When someone experiences a trauma they go into immediate shock.... Read More

Chronic Back Pain

Magnetic Advantage Newsletter FEATURED TOPIC... Read More

The Effects of Stress

Stress can affect you in four different ways:The Physical Effects... Read More

The Honeybush Miracle

Perhaps a little eclipsed by the world-wide success of Rooibos,... Read More

5 Simple Steps For Ridding Yourself Of Back Pain

Millions of people suffer from back pain unnecessarily when there... Read More

Stopping Colds in Their Tracks

We all know the nasty sensation of coming down with... Read More

Why Your Search for Pain Relief Needs a Strategy

If you're like most of us who have known chronic... Read More

Flu Vaccine Hysteria

Last week the media circus surrounding the flu vaccine reached... Read More

Hemorrhoids & its Symptoms

Hemorrhoids are conditions where there is a swelling of the... Read More

Got a Headache? Painkillers Are NOT the Solution!

Say you had a stressful day at work, didn't get... Read More

Genital Warts Natural and Alternative Treatment Remedies

Have you been diagnosed with genital warts caused by the... Read More

Alzheimer?s Patients And Verbal Abuse: How To Deal With It

Abuse of any kind is difficult to deal with. Types... Read More

Cleansing Your Elimination Organs to Achieve Good Health

Benefits of Cleansing Your Elimination Organs Colon cleansing, kidney cleansing,... Read More

Natural Pain Relief Through Magnetic Therapy is Possible

No one can deny the power of magnets, racing pigeons... Read More

Ethical Guidelines For Hypnotherapy

The study of ethics concerns moral choices, generally in the... Read More

Natural Aromatherapy, Essence of Health

Bringing Home Nature's Forest Correctly and SafelyPreserving Both Essence and... Read More

Reiki Energy Balance

Here's a simple exercise that anyone can do, even if... Read More

Acid Reflux and Heartburn Natural Remedies Part I

Here is a list of natural remedies that you can... Read More

Top 3 Reasons Why You Suffer From Pain In The Back Of The Knee

Pain behind the knee is something many of us have... Read More

Classical Music Therapy

Music, more than entertainment, has played an instrumental role in... Read More

Why Most People Dont Really Want To Heal (Part 1)

I recently attended a metaphysical lecture facilitated by Guy Williams,... Read More

A Constipation Remedy Using Potassium and Prunes

Potassium and prunes are a natural constipation remedy that you... Read More

Homeopathy ? Five Things to Know before You ?Go There?

With natural health care so popular, an area that has... Read More

Superfood or Superfad

I have been reading a lot lately on the subject... Read More

Learn About Falun Dafa

I have been practicing an advanced form of qigong for... Read More

Why Do So Many People Seem To Have Allergies?

Allergies and asthma arise from loss of the body's natural... Read More