The use of herbs as natural medicines goes back thousands of years, to when their use was first recorded in China. Throughout the ages, their uses have been recorded and passed down from generation to generation. Herbs seemed to drop out of favor with the rapid development of synthesized drugs. They have recently made a resurgence, with many people realizing, that although the quick fix associated with the drugs, may temporarily alleviate a problem, it may not be the best way of remaining healthy.

What Is A Herb?

Basically a herb is any plant that can be used medicinally to treat the body. Such definition includes fruit, vegetables and culinary herbs.

Garlic is a good example, because it has so many medical applications. They include, colds and flu, blood pressure, high cholesterol, and urinary infections amongst many others.

Many people include culinary herbs, such as parsley, coriander, fennel, fresh mint, basil and others, in recipes, and food preparations. They are, perhaps unwittingly, getting regular doses of herbal medicine.

How Do Herbs Work?

Herbs, or shall we call them medicinal plants, work in a variety of ways. The active content of different herbs determines which medical conditions they are able to treat.

There are herbs that treat infections.

Herbs to assist with blood circulation.

Herbs to treat mucus membranes.

Herbs to stimulate appetite and digestion.

Herbs to detoxify and assist with waste elimination.

Herbs to assist with hormone problems.

This list is by no means exhaustive, as there are herbs to use with most afflictions, but it serves to demonstrate that different herbs can help to strengthen, and balance bodily systems, and treat a host of maladies.

How to Take Herbs

There are many ways to take herbs internally, and the most obvious is as a food, as already indicated. Otherwise they can be taken as teas, tinctures, capsules, tablets, and powders. Some herbs may also be useful for gargles, and mouth washes. Herbs are also beneficial for external usage as herbal baths, ointments, lotions and creams, and essential oils.

Where Do Herbs Come From?

Because herbs are natural plants, they are obtained from different parts of the world, depending on the climatic and other conditions they require. Modern international trading means that it is probably easier than it has ever been, to purchase anything, including herbs and herbal preparations, from wherever they originate.

There are at least hundreds and more probably thousands of different medicinal herbs growing in our world. As with orthodox medicine, expert help should be sought, before taking any herbal preparation that you are not 100% sure about. Professional advice is readily available, and there are also excellent books and periodicals that are informative.

General

There is much concern these days about poor diet, obesity, malnutrition, and lack of exercise. People are slowly coming to realize, that to a large extent, they are responsible for their own health and well-being. Some are seeking a natural health lifestyle, including wholesome organic food, free from highly toxic pesticides and fertilizers.

There is nothing more wholesome than naturally grown herbs and plants. They provide not only the food you eat, but also the air your breathe.

If you care for them – they will care for you.