Herbs for Health

By [http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Conny_Jasper/598118]  Conny Jasper

Many years ago, I began seeking options for healing myself, other than conventional modern methods. In my search, I became interested in herbal remedies, so I started to learn about them and experiment with them. Over the years, I found the herbs to be very useful and valuable for my health.

Herbs are our allies that nourish and heal us. People have been using them for as long as people have been on this planet. Herbs bring us back into balance with Nature. Thousands of years ago countless plant species were part of our daily diet. Our bodies evolved utilizing plants and their nutritive and therapeutic properties.

Herbs are the plants or parts of plants that are used for their medicinal, palatable, or aromatic qualities. Many pharmaceutical medications are derived or synthesized from herbs. Chemists believe in isolating the active ingredient(s) to be sure of its quality and amount. This is because all plants do not have the same quantity of active ingredients.

Herbalists, however, believe in using the natural plant, because its other chemical components work together with the active ingredient(s). Natural foods and medicines are better for your body, because everything you put into your body affects you on a cellular and a vibrational level.

Before using herbs as medicine, it is important to do some research. Rather than using one book as a reference, use several books. This will help to make your knowledge of herbs more thorough. If possible, take some classes in herbal studies. Know your herbs, and know your body. Observe how your body responds to what you put into it. How do you feel when you eat carrots as opposed to when you eat chocolate cookies? Foods are medicines, too. If you are even the slightest bit ill or wounded, notice what symptoms are present and where they are in your body.

Everyone reacts differently to different herbs. What works well for one person, may not work as well for another. It can take some experimentation to know what helps you and in what way. Sometimes it is a good idea to start with small doses, and then gradually increase the intake. Oftentimes the suggested dosage on the bottle is either too low or too high. Sometimes the directions will tell you to take the preparation with a meal when you should be taking it on an empty stomach. If you know your herbs, then you will be able to determine which ones can be irritable on an empty stomach, and need to be taken with food. You will also know which ones should be taken before or between meals.

For some problems, the herbal remedy must be taken over a certain length of time so that it will be fully effective. It is important to know the properties of the herb and exactly what your conditions are. This knowledge will help you to know how long you should use any particular herb.

Some herbs should be used only occasionally. Valerian root, for example, is one of those herbs. Valerian is a sedative and will help you to fall asleep, but it should not be depended on. There are others that work similarly, such as catnip and passion flower. Some herbs can even cause unwanted reactions when taken over a period of time. For example, St. John's Wort can cause sensitivity to light.

Be aware that all medicines, natural or synthetic, affect your entire system. If you take a pain reliever for a pain in your foot, not only will your foot be affected, but so will the rest of your body. If you use fenugreek to coat your sore throat, your digestive system will also be coated. This will not be helpful if you have diarrhea at the same time. When using pharmaceutical preparations, be aware of how certain herbs may interact with them. For example, you would not want to take Valerian or catnip along with an over-the-counter sleeping pill.

Once you have done your research, it is time to start acquiring various herbs for your home medicine closet. A wide variety of herbs can be purchased in bulk and packaged form from natural food stores, herbal apothecaries, or mail order companies. Some live plants can be bought from herb farms or nurseries. And many herbs can be found growing in the wild. When you are purchasing herbs in tablet or capsule form, always make sure that you read the label. Some products contain artificial colors, binders, and other synthetic ingredients. Buy your herbal products only from reputable companies.

Knowing the medicinal and nutritional properties of herbs will not only help you to take care of your body, but it can give you a greater connection with plant life. They are our companions on this Earth. http://home.earthlink.net/~connyjasper

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