Herb Consults

I found this question on Yahoo Answers while browsing the other day and thought you might find it interesting. It’s currently closed, but I would have answered it differently. I’ve included my answer at the end of this post.

My father has colon cancer and has been fighting it for 5 years. He is taking strong chemotherapy treatments but they really take a toll on him. I recently watched a movie in my Medical Anthropology class about ancient Chinese herbal treatments that could help along with the chemotherapy. After researching I couldn’t find any straight foreword recipes that I could make for him. Help please?

Truthseeker says: The Chinese herbal remedy successfully used together with chemotherapy is called Chung Kuo Chung Hsi Chieh Ho Tsa Chih. Do more research now when you have the name.

Panda says: There are no herbal recipes that can ‘help’ with cancer . . if there were than they would not be considered ‘alternatives’ . . they would be used. The modern day Chinese still get just as much cancer and die from it as the rest of the world. There is no magic online hidden ‘recipe’ for cancer . . but there are plenty of websites and people willing to exploit your interest to their financial advantage. I have known many cancer patients . .most had a rare type of cancer with few treatment options . . they tried out many of those ‘alternatives’ . . their cancers progressed .. not one patient I’ve known who tried ‘herbal’ supplements or diets has ever survived.  Read more... (735 words, estimated 2:56 mins reading time)

Despite all the latest pills and syrups that are readily available in drugstores everywhere, many people still turn to herbal remedies as a cure for their ailments. Because herbs have been used for centuries not just as food supplements but also as cures, it is no wonder that many people still opt to use them. Also, the availability of these alternatives in health stores today are a breath of fresh of air for those who are not particularly fond of chemical-filled medicines.

Herbal remedies are medications that are made from plants and their extracts. A wide range of these herbal wonders are supposed to cure different kinds of sickness and diseases. Starting with aching joints and muscles, an infusion of celery, rosemary, chamomile, or ginger might do the trick. Having a bad case of allergies? Then echinacea might do wonders for you. Meanwhile, herbs such as cloves, lavender, and rosehip can be used as antiseptics, while catmint, celery, lemongrass, and parsley can relieve the pain felt from arthritis attacks. Coughs can be treated with anise, elderflower, lemon thyme or violet, whereas fever can be cured by melissa, yarrow, or lemongrass. The list could go on and on as these herbal remedies seem to be able to cure just about any health problem we can name. It is also said that combinations of these herbs can be a more effective treatment compared to the effects of using a single herb on its own.  Read more... (532 words, estimated 2:08 mins reading time)

The History of Herbal Medicine

Medicinal plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history. For example, ancient Chinese and Egyptian papyrus writings describe medicinal plant uses. Indigenous cultures (e.g., African and Native American) used herbs in their healing rituals, while others developed traditional medical systems (e.g., Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine) in which herbal therapies were used systematically. Scientists found that people is different parts of the globe tended to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes.

In the early 19th century, when methods of chemical analysis first became available, scientists began extracting and modifying the active ingredients from plants. Later, chemists began making their own version of plant compounds, beginning the transition from raw herbs to synthetic pharmaceuticals. Over time, the use of herbal medicines declined in favor of pharmaceuticals.

Herbal Medicine Today

Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicines for some aspect of their primary health care. In the last twenty years in the United States, increasing public dissatisfaction with the cost, efficacy and potential of side-effect of prescription medications, combined with an interest in returning to natural or organic remedies, has led to an increase in the use of herbal medicines. In countries such as Germany and Switzerland, roughly 600 to 700 plant-based medicines are prescribed by approximately 70% of physicians.

How do Herbs Work?  Read more... (672 words, estimated 2:41 mins reading time)

The market is awash with a whole slew of weight loss options, but herbal weight loss can be considered as the best of the rest. It is mainly due to the increasing awareness in terms of benefits without any apparent side-effects associated with the usage of herbal products that make people to get more inclined day by day for using herbal weight loss remedy. Herbal products ensure loosing the extra weight by following a time consuming but effective procedure.

Overview of herbal remedies

In the fast paced world, we hardly get the time for ourselves during which we take a great care of us. Different daily hassles, hard competition and life style affect our diet very profoundly, which results our dependency over fast foods, snack and junk foods. The ultimate outcome leads to experiencing obesity, increasing blood cholesterol level, cardiac problems and other difficulties.

Apart from the health issue, obesity is directly linked up with social stigma. It affects everyone, especially women. Its effect is so profuse in one’s life, that an individual suffering from obesity may take any drastic step to reduce her weight. It may range from having hotchpotch diet to non-verifiable artificial weight loss supplements as well. This may, in turn, result to severe side-effects by disputing metabolic system, while apparently resulting in temporary weight loss.  Read more... (802 words, estimated 3:12 mins reading time)

Herbal remedies are incredibly natural. Depending on how you use them, they could be harmful or good alternatives. You should employ these remedies with the same care and consideration that you use with prescription medicines. But there is a problem. The prescription medicines are very expensive and the herbs are cheaper than those prescription medicines. You could save lot money if you use the herbal remedies for your condition.

It’s very important for you to consult a licensed herbal practitioner before you begin any herbal regimen. Be especially cautious with herbal remedies if you are pregnant or nursing. With some exceptions, herbs taken in medicinal quantities can harm your baby.

Your herbalist healthcare professional is able to recommend the proper dosage and combination for your medical issue. Be sure to inform your herbalist of any and all medications you take to ensure that there will not be any undesired interactions, along with any allergies. You may want to consult with your pediatrician before administering herbal remedies to your child, and pay attention to the recommended dosage for children. It’s very important because the children dosages are different than adults.

It is vital to research the herbs before you use any herb or herbal supplement. Learn its side effects and possible interactions with any drugs you may be taking. Because herbs are not always correctly labeled, so you should properly identify the each herb before you buy or use it -Take one new herbal remedy at a time. This gives your body enough time to adapt to the herb. Take this herb for at least two weeks before you add another herb or herbal formula. Sometimes, allergic reactions will not develop until weeks or months after you begin using an herb or herbal supplement.  Read more... (434 words, estimated 1:44 mins reading time)