Have you ever wondered why your doctor never prescribes an herbal (the ‘h’ is silent) remedy for you? Could it be because his pharmaceutical rep has never suggested one, given him samples, or tried to sell him one? And the reason is because the Big Pharma companies have no interest in herbal remedies. Why? Because they can’t patent them. And if they can’t patent them, they can’t make any money from them, so they have no interest in them, except to tell you that they don’t work.
Which couldn’t be further from the truth. Herbal remedies not only work, they’ve been working for centuries. Use of herbs goes back 5,000 years. They’ve even found medicinal plants at Neanderthal burial sites.
The reason they work is because the plants work with the body’s natural ability to heal itself. Millions of people worldwide still rely on them and use them successfully as a natural alternative to traditional medicine. Herbs are the oldest medicines known to man.
Herbal remedies come in many different forms. They can be applied to the skin as oil or cream, or they can be taken by mouth in teas or capsules or added to food. In Europe, they’re still very commonly used. For example, in Germany they’re still dispensed by apothecaries, or drugstores.
In this country, health insurance rarely covers herbal remedies, since by law they’re classified as dietary supplements, not drugs. But unlike drugs, they have virtually no toxicity or side effects associated with traditional drugs and even some over the counter medications. Herbal remedies are frequently used with much success by people suffering from chronic or degenerative illness.
A word of caution is in order, however. Because of the possible interaction, if you’re currently on prescribed medications, you should check with your healthcare provider before taking any herbal supplements. Also, pregnant or breastfeeding women should use caution, simply because there may not be enough information to determine how it might affect her or her baby.
Dosages for children are made according to the weight of the child. Their body doesn’t metabolize drugs or herbal remedies the way adults do. It’s best to speak with your healthcare provider or a knowledgeable herbalist before attempting to administer to a child. A safe dose for an adult may not be (and probably isn’t) a safe amount for a child to take.
Some examples of common herbal remedies are kava plant root, St. John’s Wort, and butterbur plant. Natives of the Pacific islands have used kava root for ages to relieve anxiety and elevate their mood. As far back as the 14th Century, fevers and plagues were treated with the butterbur plant.
Modern uses of butterbur include treatment of allergies, ulcers, coughs and infections, migraine headaches and asthma symptoms. Extracts are taken from the stem, the leaves, and the root of the plant. St. John’s Wort is used for calming, and helps with insomnia.
What many people don’t realize is that many of our modern day medicines have their origins in herbs and other plants. A good example of this is the heart medication digitalis, which is derived from the popular garden flower, foxglove. An allopathic or homeopathic physician, or an experienced herbalist can help you determine which herbs you may be able to benefit from.
Warm regards,
Christian Goodman