Herbal Medicine

Western Herbal Medicine

Modern science is now confirming what tradition has known for centuries. Herbs have therapeutic properties, which can be used in prevention of ill health, assist in maintaining optimal health and play a valid role in treatment of dis-ease.

Used by over 80 percent of the world’s population, herbal medicine is the oldest known form of healing. While clinical trials should not be considered the only validation of botanical medicine, double blind placebo controlled studies can certainly confirm the role of plant for medicine, a healing modality practiced for centuries. Botanical medicine, when used correctly, plays an important role in the treatment of ill health and can be used for both acute and chronic conditions.

Both herbal medicine and allopathic (pharmaceutical) medicine can play a valid role in our health. Herbs can be used as the first choice of disease treatment and herbal medicines consistently have fewer side effects than prescription medication while supporting the bodies’ capacity to heal itself. When used under the care of a trained practitioner, the benefits of botanical medicine are numerous. Herbs can be safely combined with allopathic medicine to minimize the side effects of prescription drugs, used to enhance the effect of pharmaceutical medicines, resulting in a lower dose of medication needed, or can be used long term to support the bodies’ capacity to restore its own health. Herbal medicine can be used to wean the body off potentially addictive medications and can be used as an alternative to many habit-forming medications.

The quest for knowledge and understanding in the field of herbal medicine is still growing. There are currently Bachelor of Science and Master of Science Degree programs in Herbal Medicine in Universities throughout the world. Medical schools are adding herbal medicine into their course curriculums, peer reviewed journals are citing the health benefits of nutrition and plant medicine and there is an great increase in funding and research done on botanical medicine.

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