Using Herbs for Medicinal Purposes

The world today seems to be taking a turn back towards a more natural and holistic approach to live. This desire to live a more balanced natural life has never been more prevalent than in the health and medicine field. One of the ways that people are achieving this transition is using herbs for medicinal purposes.

There are just a few things to remember if you are going to use herbal remedies. First of all, be careful of your sources. Herbs are not subject to the same FDA scrutiny that pharmaceutical drugs are. Remember that more is not always better. It is important to stay within the recommended dosage for your particular situation. Monitor your reactions to determine if the herb is working, as well as possible allergic responses.

There are many herbs which can be used for medicinal purposes and for many common and the not so common health issues. Here are just a few:

Women s Health

One herb which is used quite often relating to women’s health is black cohosh. Black cohosh has long been known by North American Indians for its ability to relieve menstrual cramps and the pain of childbirth. It is also known as “squawroot.” Today modern herbalists believe that the extract from the roots have a similar effect on the body as the hormone estrogen. Black cohosh can also be used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, edema and sore throats.

Sage is a common garden plant that can be used in the treatment of some symptoms during menopause. Sage is thought to help reduce hot flashes and regulates mood swings.

Vitex is another herb used because of its normalizing effects on women’s hormones. Vitex also treats conditions such as menstrual irregularity, PMS and infertility.

Stress and Anxiety

Chamomile tea has always been a very popular way to relax and de-stress after a hard day. This herb has a very calming effect due to its mild sedative quality. For this reason chamomile tea can be ingested before bedtime to help combat insomnia. Another benefit of this herb is its ability to aid digestion, relieve menstrual cramps and settle stomach upsets. The active parts of this plant are the flowers which contain chamazulene and alpha bisabolol.

Passion flower can be traced it back in history as an aide for anxiety and insomnia. Studies have been done with passion flower and have shown it to be comparable to benzodiazepine drugs. One study also showed improvement in job performance with less drowsiness.

Another herb used in the treating mild anxiety and sleeplessness is the herb Valerian. Valerian is normally taken about an hour before bedtime. It normally takes 2 to 3 weeks in the system before you can see the effects. It is cautioned however, not to use this herb for more than three months at a time.

Diabetes

Gymnema sylvestre is one of the most powerful herbs used for blood sugar control. The plants name translates from Hindi to “sugar destroyer,” and it is said that the plant has the ability to reduce detection of sweetness. This herb may work by boosting the activity of enzymes that help our cells use glucose or by stimulating the production of the insulin. A typical dosage for gymnema sylvestre is 200 to 250 milligrams twice daily.

Bitter melon is also used for lowering blood sugar by blocking that sugar absorption in the intestines. The typical dosage for bitter melon is 50 to 100 milliliters of bitter melon juice daily.

Fenugreek is used in Indian cooking and has been found to lower blood sugar, increase insulin sensitivity and reduce high cholesterol. The effects may be partly due to the seed’s fiber content, as well as an amino acid it contains that appears to boost the release of insulin. A typical dosage for fenugreek is 5 to 30 grams with each meal.

Weight Loss

Several herbs have been shown to aid with weight loss some work better than others and you might have to experiment to see which is best for you.

Bee pollen can be used for its metabolism stimulating effect, as well as its ability to curb appetite. One teaspoon daily is the normal dosage

Brewer’s yeast is effective in reducing cravings and aloe vera improves digestion and cleanses the digestive tract.
Evening primrose is a good source of tryptophan which is believed to aid in weight loss. Take one half teaspoon of the oil, three times a day.

Fennel removes mucus and fat deposits from inside the intestinal tract. It is also thought to be a strong natural appetite suppressant.

Red pepper, mustard and other hot spices have been found to help raise people’s metabolic rates by as much as 25%. These hot spices also stimulate thirst, and so you drink more liquids that to help fill you up.

Colds and Flu

Increasingly popular, echinacea is an herb that most people have heard of in relation to colds. Echinacea has been used for hundreds of years by American Indians. This herb seems to increase levels of properdin, a chemical which acts on the part of the immune system which is responsible for increasing defense mechanisms against viruses and bacteria. Echinacea also is a very good blood cleanser, helping to get rid of dead cells and other debris through the lymphatic system. An interesting way to check and see if you are taking enough echinacea is the tongue test. After taking Echinacea, the back of your tongue should feel numb or tingly. This tells you you are using the good quality product.

There are literally hundreds of herbs available to treat many health conditions. It is important to do your research, speak with a good herbalist and your doctor to decide what is best for you.