Alternative Healing Today

Herbal alternatives

Herbs refer to all plants that can be used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. These include: trees, shrubs, mushrooms, lichens and fruits and vegetables. Apple juice and shiitake mushrooms which serve as food are also good herbal alternatives. Herbal alternatives can either be internal or external formulations. The herbal alternatives you need to use to treat ailments generally depend on the type of ailment you got. Most people use combination of herbs to get the maximum benefits for the body. There are a number of herbal preparations which you can effectively use as herbal alternatives to prescription drugs. These herbal alternatives are derived from herbal practices handed down from generation to generation, even centuries old. Scientists and researchers have made several studies to prove or disprove the effectiveness of these herbal alternatives. Some studies do confirm the herbal alternatives effectiveness, others require further researches.

Herbal alternatives are frequently used to counter illnesses. In some parts of Europe and Asia, doctors prescribed herbal alternatives before they turn to prescription drugs to treat various ailments. It is important to note that the herbal alternatives are not effective alone. They also require the patient to supplement taking herbal alternatives with proper diet, exercise, mental attitude and other factors. These alternatives must not be taken over long period of time even if you are treating a chronic illness. You should stop taking the alternative herb for some time before resuming at the regular dosage. Continuous use of the herbal alternative could cause possible side effects to the body. And also increases the body's immunity to the herbal alternatives making it less effective.

When taking herbal alternatives such as antibiotic herbs or even prescription antibiotics, the natural bacteria found in our digestive system is destroyed which makes digestions difficult for days or weeks. To counter this effect, eat fresh real yogurt daily which has active cultures. You can also take acidophilus or probiotic capsules as alternative in order to restore the natural digestive bacteria. When using herbs as alternatives to counter ailments or strengthen the body systems, start with small amount. Wait for any adverse reaction. If you do develop one, stop taking the herbal alternatives immediately. If not, continue with the therapy and gradually increase the dosage until you reached the maximum recommended dose.

Some herbal alternatives have drugs or nutrients reactions. For instance, ginkgo biloba  has blood-thinning properties which could cause negative results when combine with other blood thinners such as aspirin. Consult your doctor first before using herbal alternatives with prescription drugs to prevent adverse effects.

Alternative herbal medicine

Some people use alternative herbal medicine to treat a number of bodily disorders. This is so because alternative herbal medicine provides the same beneficial treatment without having to worry about fatal side effects. Most alternative herbal medicines are relatively safe to use if taken at recommended dosage.

To treat alcoholism, capsules of gamma linoleic acid (GLA) from evening primrose, borage or currant seed oils are the best alternative herbal medicine for controlling alcoholism. Valerian herb could also slow down brain cell damage due to excessive alcohol consumption. Skullcap is another alternative herbal medicine that could effectively lessen anxiety due to physical and emotional exhaustion.

To treat depression and anxiety, the alternative herbal medicines recommended are St. John's wort, valerian and hops, ashwaganda, ginseng and Motherwort. To treat insomnia, the alternative herbal medicines you should use are ginger tea, chamomile, lemon balm and linden. Essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus and lavender can be used as a compress to relieve headache. To treat partial memory loss, alternative herbal medicines recommended for use are four Gs- gingko biloba, ginseng, Siberian ginseng and gotu kola. To relieve from pain and inflammation, use meadowsweet and willow bark. Both contain salicin which is converted by the stomach to salicylic acid, the key ingredient in aspirin. Ginger is another pain reliever which works by reducing prostaglandin. Stress is another ailment that can be effectively treated with alternative herbal medicine. Ginseng and Siberian ginseng are potent stress relievers. Angina and irregular heartbeat can be regulated by alternative herbal medicine such as hawthorn, ginseng, motherwort, valerian and even pineapple.

About 80 percent of the pharmaceutical drugs being sold today are based on herbs. These drugs are not derived from the entire herb, but based on its one major active ingredient. In turn, this extracted substance is used to treat a specific illness. While herbs can effectively relieve the body from various illnesses, still they could not replace the prescription drugs in treating life-threatening illnesses. Being an alternative herbal medicine, it could not be viewed as replacement but as complement to prescription drugs that could be a potent way to heal body conditions.

Herbs unlike prescription drugs do not need to be patented. You do not need to buy and spend huge sums of money for them. They can be readily found in your garden especially if you cultivate them. If bought, they cost lesser than conventional dugs. And the effects of alternative herbal medicines are quite potent too.

References made from these resources:

¹ Health & Wellness Digest Online
² Health Matters : Articles Inside
³ Physical and Mental Health - Wellness Lobby