Today, it is no surprise to see everything labeled
as natural or herbal. In just about any store you go in, all you see
are millions of all herbal or all natural products including dietary
supplements and herbal medicine products.
When did this tidal wave of herbal products start? One answer is that
it all started when the media began to report widely on how important
it is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Knowledge of the benefits of herbal medicines and natural tonics goes
back to our ancestors thousands of years in the past. All the way back
to 2800 B.C., scientists and storytellers have reported on humans
experiencing the amazing healing and health benefits of natural herbal
remedies. And now it is your chance!
In fact, herbal medicine has been a big part of human history for the
last 5,000 years according to archaeology and written records. All the
way up to today, people have used herbal medicine and treatments to aid
in a wide variety of ailments to improve their health and well being.
When NOT To Take Herbal Supplements And Herbal Medicine
Many herbs have a long history of beneficial use and practically
guaranteed health benefits. An herb, or botanical, is either a plant or
part of a plant (like the stem only) that is used for its scent,
flavor, or therapeutic abilities. Although they are found in natural,
herbal products are not guaranteed to be safe or without negative side
effects. While they may come from plants, some plants (like certain
mushrooms) are dangerous and can be damaging or poisonous to your
health, instead of restoring it.
Unlike prescription drugs, herbal products are not clinically tested
and proven to work for any particular ailment before they are marketed
or sold to customers in health food stores like GNC (General Nutrition
Center).
Also, the active ingredients in many herbal supplements and treatments
remain unknown. Some supplements have been found some to contain
metals, prescription drugs mixed in without any mention on the label,
microorganisms or other substances.
Since most herbal products are not tested and certified by the FDA or
other health authority, they may in actual fact cause health problems
or complications. All of this is extremely rare as most companies do
their own testing, and only use the beneficial types of herbs in their
herbal products. Still, it may not be smart to try herbal products, at
least before talking about it with your doctor, if you have any of
these medical problems:
- High blood pressure
- Thyroid condition
- Parkinsons disease
- Blood-clotting problems
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Epilepsy
- Depression or psychiatric problems
- Liver problems
- Enlarged prostrate gland
- Glaucoma
- History of stroke or organ transplant
If you are pregnant or nursing, then you should take special care about
using herbal products, as well as if you are about to have surgery.
Some herbal products such as for weight loss or skin care are much less
expensive than surgical procedures like liposuction or hiring a
dermatologist, respectively. This is one other reason for the massive
popularity of herbal treatments. So to always be on the sage side of
things, make sure you always check with your healthcare provider before
trying any herbal products you have a concern about.
It is also a good idea to talk to your doctor before using an herbal
product if you are now taking any medications for a health problem.
Often, an herbal supplement will not interfere with a prescription
medication or even an over-the-counter product but it is always best to
check with your doctor first. Some active ingredients in herbal
medicines are known to interact with medications in ways that may be
able to cause risks to your health.
Some benefits from herbal treatments and alternatives available on the
market include but are not limited to:
1. Cost-effectiveness: Prescription drugs cost much more money than
herbal medicines.
2. Lower Side Effects: Herbal medicines are generally a far healthier
solution than prescription drugs due to potential harmful side effects
caused by unpredicted body chemistry interactions. However as mentioned
above, its important to remember that just because the word natural is
included herbal medicines does not guarantee safety.
However, herbal medicines appear to have many advantages over
traditional drugs, including a lower occurrence of side effects.
3. Effectiveness and Potency: Poor results with traditional drug
treatments often makes people search for alternative treatments. Keep
in mind, however, the potential of herbal medicines is different for
everybody.
Genetics change from person to person, which affects how the
ingredients work over time. Also a factor in the potency of an herb is
the process and timing of harvest, as well as exposure to air and light
Ultimately, herbal medicine and herbal treatments have both weak and
strong points. Keep in mind that herbal medicines are not a guaranteed
and final solution to any health problem, but instead are generally
effective at healing a health problem as well as being a wallet
friendly solution.
Article Source: http://
www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/discover-the-many-
benefits-of-herbal-medicine-176045.html About the Author
George Watson is a popular Weight Loss researcher.
Read more about herbal
medicine for weight loss at his weight
loss pill review website, http://www.BetterWeightLoss.info |
