Herbs have been used as medicinal remedies for centuries! Go to the Bible and you will see frankincense and myrrh mentioned, not only as gifts for baby Jesus (Matthew 2:11), but in many other places along with aloes, bitter herbs, coriander, hyssop, cumin, garlic, mint, wormwood, fennel and rosemary.
The World Health Organization estimates that 80% of people in the world today rely on plant remedies to treat common ailments. So what exactly are herbs? An herb is defined as “a plant that is valued for its flavor, aroma, or other qualities. Herbs are used in cooking, as medicine, and for spiritual purposes.”
Many healing traditions, such as Ayurveda (traditional Indian), Asian, Native American, TCM, and naturopathic traditions, rely on medicinal herbs.
You probably use herbs to flavor your meals every day. That, by the way, is a great way to reap the benefits of many herbs and spices – just include them in your food! I would like to give you an overview of herbal supplements here. First, very generally, herbal supplements used for medicinal purposes fall into two broad categories: tonics and stimulants.
Tonic herbs help cells, tissues and organs to maintain balance. Some tonics invigorate physical processes and nourish other organs and tissues so that they function optimally. Examples of tonic herbs are ginseng, astragalus, turmeric, ashwagandha, green tea, rhodiola, and ginger. In general, tonic herbs are taken regularly for at least 3 months to strengthen and improve general health or to address specific problems. They are smooth in action.
Stimulant herbs have stronger actions and are used to treat specific conditions. These are usually taken in smaller doses, for shorter periods of time. Examples of stimulant herbs are maca, guarana, gotu kola, damiana.
Herbal remedies are used in a number of different ways, including the following: Essential oils, which are highly concentrated extracts. They can irritate the mucous membranes and stomach lining if taken internally, so they are generally only used externally.
Extracts are considered the most effective form because their active ingredients are more concentrated and can be standardized to a guaranteed potency. This form has a long shelf life and retains almost all the benefits of the plant.
Tinctures are produced when the herb is soaked in a solvent such as alcohol or glycerol and pressed to release the tincture. These preserve the active ingredients for up to a year. Powders are dried herbs that have been ground to a fine consistency. These can be added to your food, in a liquid, or taken in capsule form.
Teas and infusions can be made from virtually any plant. You can find many herbal teas at your local health food and grocery store. These are great for relieving mild to moderate ailments such as a sore throat, stuffy nose, and upset stomach. The herbs are soaked in hot water so that their active ingredients dissolve in the water, and then strained before drinking.
Decoctions are teas that are made from the thicker parts of plants, such as the roots, bark, seeds, or berries. Its medicinal ingredients are more difficult to dissolve in water, so they must be boiled and crushed more vigorously.