Urban Herbals
Urban Herbals...Herbal medicines, potions and lotions. Created by the Urban Herbalist
Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies
in the treatment of disease.
Herbal Medicine Fundamentals
What is an herb?
Medicinally, an herb is any plant part or plant used for its therapeutic value. Western/British Herbal medicine only uses plants material, yet foryour information, other forms of herbalism such as Chinese also include mineral and animal substances. We do not.
Medicinally, an herb is any plant part or plant used for its therapeutic value. Western/British Herbal medicine only uses plants material, yet foryour information, other forms of herbalism such as Chinese also include mineral and animal substances. We do not.
What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is the art and science of using herbs for promoting health and preventing and treating illness. It has persisted as the world's primary form of medicine since the beginning of time, with a written history more than 5,000 years old. While the use of herbs in the UK and America has been overshadowed by dependence on modern drugs the last 100 years, the World Health Organization of the United Nations estimates that 75% of the world's populations still rely primarily upon traditional healing practices, most of which is herbal medicine.
Herbal medicine is the art and science of using herbs for promoting health and preventing and treating illness. It has persisted as the world's primary form of medicine since the beginning of time, with a written history more than 5,000 years old. While the use of herbs in the UK and America has been overshadowed by dependence on modern drugs the last 100 years, the World Health Organization of the United Nations estimates that 75% of the world's populations still rely primarily upon traditional healing practices, most of which is herbal medicine.
How are herbs different from pharmaceuticals?
Most pharmaceutical drugs are single chemical entities that are highly refined and purified and are often synthesized. In 1987 about 85% of modern drugs were originally derived from plants. Currently, only about 15% of drugs are derived from plants. In contrast, herbal medicines are prepared from living or dried plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated compounds. Science is beginning to demonstrate that the safety and effectiveness of herbs is often related to the synergy of its many constituents.
How is herbal medicine different from conventional medicine?
The primary focus of the herbalist is to treat people as individuals irrespective of the disease or condition they have and to stimulate the body's innate healing capacity through the use of such interventions as herbs, diet and lifestyle. The primary focus of physicians is to attack diseases using strong chemicals that can be difficult for the body to process, or through surgical interventions. Not only does this ignore the unique makeup of the individual, but many patients under conventional care suffer from side effects that are as bad as the condition being treated. The philosophical difference between herbalists and conventional physicians has profound significance. How can I know if a particular herb will work for me?
Medicine is an art, not just a science. No one can predict which herb will work best for every individual in all situations. This can only come with educated self-experimentation and experience or by seeking the assistance of those who are knowledgeable in clinical herbal medicine. The simpler the condition, the easier it is to find a solution. The more complicated the condition, the greater the need there is to seek expert advice.
Most pharmaceutical drugs are single chemical entities that are highly refined and purified and are often synthesized. In 1987 about 85% of modern drugs were originally derived from plants. Currently, only about 15% of drugs are derived from plants. In contrast, herbal medicines are prepared from living or dried plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated compounds. Science is beginning to demonstrate that the safety and effectiveness of herbs is often related to the synergy of its many constituents.
How is herbal medicine different from conventional medicine?
The primary focus of the herbalist is to treat people as individuals irrespective of the disease or condition they have and to stimulate the body's innate healing capacity through the use of such interventions as herbs, diet and lifestyle. The primary focus of physicians is to attack diseases using strong chemicals that can be difficult for the body to process, or through surgical interventions. Not only does this ignore the unique makeup of the individual, but many patients under conventional care suffer from side effects that are as bad as the condition being treated. The philosophical difference between herbalists and conventional physicians has profound significance. How can I know if a particular herb will work for me?
Medicine is an art, not just a science. No one can predict which herb will work best for every individual in all situations. This can only come with educated self-experimentation and experience or by seeking the assistance of those who are knowledgeable in clinical herbal medicine. The simpler the condition, the easier it is to find a solution. The more complicated the condition, the greater the need there is to seek expert advice.
How long does it take for herbs to be effective?
The success of herbal treatment always depends upon a variety of factors including how long the condition existed, the severity of the condition, the dosage and mode of administration of the herb(s) and how diligently treatment plans are followed. It can be as short as 5-10 minutes when using a spoonful of herbal bitters for gas and bloating; 20 minutes when soaking in a bath with rosemary tea for a headache; days when using tonics to build energy; or months to correct long-standing gynaecological imbalances. Difficult chronic conditions can often take years to reverse. Also the therapeutic doses often needed for the patient are simply not available over the counter and for good reason. In the same way you see a GP to get a prescribed drug, you should see a qualified herbalist for SAFE treatment and to get quality herbal medicine. To book an appointment to see a professional herbalist go to the urbanherbals.co.uk/pages/shop/products.php page.
The success of herbal treatment always depends upon a variety of factors including how long the condition existed, the severity of the condition, the dosage and mode of administration of the herb(s) and how diligently treatment plans are followed. It can be as short as 5-10 minutes when using a spoonful of herbal bitters for gas and bloating; 20 minutes when soaking in a bath with rosemary tea for a headache; days when using tonics to build energy; or months to correct long-standing gynaecological imbalances. Difficult chronic conditions can often take years to reverse. Also the therapeutic doses often needed for the patient are simply not available over the counter and for good reason. In the same way you see a GP to get a prescribed drug, you should see a qualified herbalist for SAFE treatment and to get quality herbal medicine. To book an appointment to see a professional herbalist go to the urbanherbals.co.uk/pages/shop/products.php page.
How safe are herbs?
It depends on the herb. Most herbs are very safe. When used appropriately, the majority of herbs used by practitioners have no adverse side effects.
It depends on the herb. Most herbs are very safe. When used appropriately, the majority of herbs used by practitioners have no adverse side effects.
The problems arise when people try and self-diagnose, after reading bad media articles via the press or scouring the internet. And for those people on medicines prescribed by their doctors and trying to using herbs purchased over the counter, without an understanding of their interactions. Their GP or chemist will not know the full story as they are not trained in plant drug interactions, relying on faulty information from pharmaceutical companies who have vested interest in their drugs.
Herbalists nowadays are trained in pharmacognosy and modern pharmacology alongside plant chemistry and so are better placed to inform you.
A review of the traditional and scientific literature worldwide demonstrates that serious side effects from the use of herbal medicines are rare. According to noted American pharmacognosist Norman Farnsworth: "Based on published reports, side effects or toxic reactions associated with herbal medicines in any form are rare. In fact, of all classes of substances reported to cause toxicities of sufficient magnitude to be reported, plants are the least problematic."