The natural medicines originated in the ancient past. People used different plants and plant parts for medicinal purposes. They used such natural plant substances to provide better health of the patients. There are uncountable benefits of herbal medicine. Some herbs have potent substances and they need to be used with proper guidelines. An overdose of such herbal medicine can harm the patient.
You need to maintain similar cautions as other pharmaceutical medicines. People made similar chemical composition artificially as found in the plants and made some of the modern-day pharmaceutical medicines. E.g. Digitalis is widely used for cardiac complications. This medicine was influenced by the foxglove plant.
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Benefits of Herbal Medicine and Active Ingredients
Herbal medicines consist of different active ingredients. Though few of such active ingredients are still unknown. Much pharmaceutical medicine contains a single active substance from the plant source. According to the experts of herbal medicines, the impact would be ineffective if you take isolated doses without the combination of other plant sources.
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For example, the meadowsweet plant contains salicylic acid and is used to prepare Aspirin. This pharmaceutical medicine is used as a lining in the case of the bleeding stomach. But the meadowsweet plant possesses other natural compounds that prevent the irritation caused by salicylic acid.
The experts of herbal medicines state that the entire herb has a more impressive impact on our health than the herb or plant parts. There prevails a criticism that the active ingredients can’t be measured in the doses of herbal medicines.
Herbs as medicine
Natural medicine aims to take the body to such a balanced state so that the body can generate self-healing. Different herbs have an impact on different body parts. There are certain common herbs and are used for the cure from ancient times. They are,
1. Dang Gui (Dong Quai):
This herb is widely used to treat gynecological complications such as period pain, menopausal symptoms, and premenstrual tension. But this might cause low blood pressure.
2. Echinacea:
This strengthens the immune system and generates the strength of the body to fight against different infections and diseases. This is a common remedy for herpes, boils, and fever.
3. Ginger:
From ancient times ginger is used in herbal medicine. Ginger is using mainly for its powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This is an effective herbal medicine for morning ailment, nausea, and motion sickness.
Consuming 2 grams of ginger root every day can effectively reduce muscle pain and soreness if uses for a period of 2 weeks.
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4. Garlic:
This is an effective herbal medicine to treat cardiac problems by reducing the level of cholesterol and blood fats. It has antiviral and antibiotic properties that help in treating different respiratory infections, sinusitis, and the common cold.
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5. Hypericum:
St. john’s wort is the other popular name of hypericum. This is also used in modern pharmaceutical medication to treat moderate and mild depression. This is also used to treat insomnia and anxiety. This has certain limitations such as if you are on oral contraceptive medicine, can’t take St. John’s wort.
6. Ginseng:
The proper use of ginseng will give energy. That is why it is used to treat excessive fatigue. People often get weak after any illness. The use of ginseng at that stage will boost up the recovery process by energizing the body.
Ginseng also used to lower the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Overuse of ginseng can develop complications like a higher level of blood pressure.
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7. Ginkgo biloba:
This is widely used to treat tinnitus and poor circulation of blood. It has powerful antioxidants that help to reduce the inflammation very effectively. Ginkgo is used to improve the circulation of the heart and it helps the inflammation of arthritis and good for IBS.
Self-diagnosis can be harmful
It is a common nature of few people. They believe in self-diagnosis. This is a very bad habit. This can create greater harm to us. In many cases, the symptoms are similar to one another but the illness could be different. In such a situation self-diagnosis is deadly.
People often suggest medicines also based on the similarity of symptoms. The medicines (both pharmaceutical and herbal) need to take following the medical practitioner’s advice.
Few important consideration of herbal medicine
If you think that herbal medicine has zero side effects as they are made of plant products, you are wrong. The improper doses and uses of natural medicines can cause asthma, allergic reactions, headache, vomiting, rashes, diarrhea, and nausea.
These symptoms may vary from milder form to severe based on the patient’s condition. The qualified and professional practitioner of herbal medicines needs to prescribe the medicine, doses, and way to have them. That will provide faster relief and cure.
You need to explain the following to the practitioner of herbal medicine,
- If you are allergic to specific things
- If you are planning to conceive or already pregnant
- If you are having vitamin supplements, other herbal supplements or following any other prescription
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Caution
Herbal supplements and medicines might coincide with other medicines in a harmful manner. This might be lowering the effect of other medicines or increase the level of side effects.
If you are thinking to be on herbal medications, you need to talk to the medical professional. They can explain the possible interactions and side effects.
Purchase herbal medicine from well-known suppliers
All the herbal medicines found in the market are not good and safe for your health. You need to buy medicines from a reputable pharmacist or practitioner. Now a day you can get a wide variety of herbal products and medicines on the internet.
You need to be very careful before buying those products. Few of such products contain a high level of arsenic, mercury, or lead. Many online products do not maintain the standard and quality of medicinal regulation. That causes serious health-related complications.
Before the purchase of any herbal medicine or medicated products, you need to consult with the expert or the professional of herbal medicines. They will explain the effectiveness of herbal medicines and supplements.
Few recommendations are listed below, if you are thinking to have herbal supplements or medicines,
- Continue the previous prescription until the doctor directs to stop that
- Consult to the doctor that you want to have herbal supplements
- Be sure about the effectiveness, safety, and quality of natural medicine from a qualified practitioner
- Buy the natural medicines and supplements from reliable and well-known pharmacist or practitioner
- Be careful while purchasing online overseas herbal supplements
- Follow the prescription of experienced herbal practitioner and consult immediately if you found any reactions after taking the natural medicines
Conclusion
The benefits of herbal medicine are widespread if used properly. When the modern days’ pharmaceutical medicines were not invented, those were the only remedies for all diseases.
A few of today’s modern medication is also made with plant sources and used widely to treat different illnesses. It is not right that natural or plant-sourced medicines and supplements do not have side effects.
If you do not follow the appropriate medicine and doses, it might affect your health in a harmful way. You need to be very careful before buying a natural medicine from a physical shop or online platform. Without the expert’s guideline, you should not have natural supplements and medicines.
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