Herbs By Illness Or Condition
There are hundreds of herbs that our ancestors used to treat a wide range of conditions. With so many herbs to choose from how do you know what herbs you can use for menstrual cramps or for digestive issues or what about arthritis or to bring relief to symptoms of hayfever? You can search our guide based on illness or condition to find what herbs you can use for a specific complaint.
Why Use Herbs As Medicine?
In the last 50 years our average life expectancy has risen by almost 10 years. In part this is because of advances in our conventional healthcare system and in part due to our growing knowledge and understanding on the role of diet and lifestyle plays in overall health. So if our conventional healthcare system is so good, the question could be ask asked why bother with herbal medicine.
The answer is simple, yes, we are living longer, but that doesn’t mean we are living longer well. The truth is we’ve never been sicker. Our reliance on both prescribed and over the counter medication has made it easy to take a pill rather than addressing the real problem. More often than not conventional medicine seeks to mask the symptoms rather than cure the problem.
Not only that but viruses are fast becoming resistant to pharmaceutical antibiotics. Yet our reliance and over-prescription of these antibiotics has not only caused viruses to become resistant to them but they have weakened our own immune systems.
That’s where herbs have so many benefits. Herbs have many wonderful healing properties, not least as natural antibiotics. Unlike pharmaceutical antibiotics natural has an amazing ability to adapt, just like viruses so they continue to be effective antibiotics. They are also much gentler on the system than chemical medications, with rarely any side effects.
Herbs can be used as a preventative measure, not just when an illness arises. Peppermint tea is a good example, it can soothe an upset stomach when one arises but if someone is prone to upset stomachs it’s safe to have a cup or two of peppermint a day prevent an upset stomach occurring in the first place.
Herbs can be used alongside conventional treatments with no ill effects. They can be used alongside each other and other complementary medicines such as flower essences or aromatherapy quiet safely to heal the body naturally.
Most people will think of herbal teas when they think of using herbs as medicine, but there are other ways of using herbs depending on the condition. For example herbs can be wrapped in muslin and hung from a hot water tap when running bath to infuse the water with the healing properties without clogging up the drain. Using herbs like this can be great for skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis and easing aching muscles and arthritis. Herbs can also be made into tinctures which not only makes them easy to use but is particularly good for herbs that would not be particularly palatable as a tea.
As a certified herbalist I always tell my clients to discuss with you doctor before you start any new regime. I also feel a responsibility to be honest about the healing potential of herbs. Whilst I love and am passionate about natural remedies, it would be foolish and irresponsible to make false claims about their healing powers. Despite being touted as a cure for diseases such as cancer, I would not advise any client to abandon conventional treatments, nor disregard the advice of your medical team in favour of herbal remedies. Herbs can be used alongside these more conventional treatments and can be extremely beneficial.