Alternative Information

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.


MORE RESOURCES:

The Wand: Nyko announces a high-tech Wii remote alternative
CNET News, CA - 2 hours ago
In an effort to trump the existing Nintendo Wii remote controller, Nyko is introducing what the company is calling the most advanced Wii remote yet. ...


WELT ONLINE

Obama Pledges to Double Alternative Energy in 3 Years
SustainableBusiness.com, NY - 10 hours ago
President-elect Barack Obama gave a major economic speech yesterday in which he pledged to double the nation's production of alternative energy in the next ...
Video: Obama: New Layoffs Show Need for Urgent Action AssociatedPress
Alternative energy producers seek stimulus funds The Hill
Obama vows to double US output of alternative energy AFP
Reuters - Energy Risk (subscription)
all 7,273 news articles


Times Online

Turkey hopes to become Europe's gas alternative
The Associated Press - 10 hours ago
ANKARA, Turkey (AP) — As Europe is once again held hostage to the gas quarrels between Ukraine and Russia, Turkey is hoping to become an alternative route ...
Europe's plan for alternative pipeline faces big problems guardian.co.uk
Gas row shows importance of alternative gas routes Canada.com
Russian gas cut while Tehran offers increase Hürriyet
Hürriyet
all 262 news articles


'Alternative' Medicine Is Mainstream
Wall Street Journal - 21 hours ago
This is a watershed in the evolution of integrative medicine, a holistic approach to health care that uses the best of conventional and alternative ...
Integrative Medicine Hawaii Health Guide
all 4 news articles


Aching back? Many medical and alternative therapies are available
Los Angeles Times, CA - 2 hours ago
Standard medicine is only one option for back pain treatment; alternative therapies abound. "Many of the techniques, like chiropractic treatment, ...


stv.tv

Exxon CEO doubts Obama's alternative energy goal
Reuters India, India - Jan 8, 2009
In a speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Obama said he wanted the United States to double its output of alternative energy sources ...
Oil giant comes in from the cold Independent
Obama Team, Exxon Mobil Chief Trade Jabs on Energy Wall Street Journal
Exxon favors carbon tax over cap and trade for CO2 curbs MarketWatch
Bizjournals.com - Investor's Business Daily (subscription)
all 75 news articles


Photo Release -- U-Haul Launches U Car Share -- the Alternative to ...
MSNBC - 16 hours ago
8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U Car Share is expanding its growth as it partners with the city of Portland by launching the alternative to vehicle ownership. ...


Fannie Mae Tests 'Short Sales' as Alternative to Foreclosures
Wall Street Journal - 21 hours ago
In the nation's hardest-hit housing markets, where many borrowers owe more than their homes are worth, short sales are often the only alternative to sales ...


Alternative To City Library Closures Sought
CBS 3, PA - 12 hours ago
Read more in our Privacy Policy Philadelphia officials are trying to come up with an alternative to permanently closing 11 public libraries. ...
Plan B: cut hours at Philly libraries, save money Lebanon Daily News
Barack Obama and Michael Nutter’s Philadelphia story Christian Science Monitor
Nutter reviews City's success Drexel University The Triangle Online
Norristown Times Herald
all 19 news articles


PhillyDeals: PhillyDeals: Finding alternatives in slowing market
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 18 hours ago
Now he's looking for alternative ways to make money from real estate as the market slows. Harden dropped out of Temple University in 1991 to fight at Don ...

Alternative - Google News

home | site map
© 2008