The Herbal Treatment

Many people are aware of the number of campaigns on herbal treatment. A few examples of these campaigns are the "natural" herbal vitamin supplements and the Metamucil laxative. But what many of us do not know is that herbal medicine has been around for over 5,000 years.

Herbal formulas are based on the organ system which is out of balance, with the main herbs explaining the main complaint. These herbs reinforce the actions of organ systems. The herbal formulas harmonize, balance temperatures or tastes of the herbs, direct them to various parts of the body or help penetration. The formulas may have any range of herbs from five to fifteen.

There are many forms that herbs can be administered. The types of administration include:

a.) Tinctures, such as alcoholic extracts from the herb, such as Echinacea extract.

b.) Tisanes, which consists of hot-water extracts from herbs, such as chamomile.

c.) Topical application of essential oils extracts.

d.) Consumption of whole herbs.

e.) Inhalation as in aromatherapy.

Although most of these herbal treatments were not tested for safety and efficiency, the scientific and medical communities claim that these treatments are potentially risky for the well-being of patients. This is used regardless of the standard medical treatments, except for a few exceptions.

Anthropologists made a theory that animals developed a tendency to seek out bitter plant parts in response to illness. This behavior arose because bitterness is a sign of secondary metabolites. The risk benefit ratio favored animals and protohumans that were inclined to experiment in times of sickness. Native healers often said that they learned by observing that sick animals change their food preferences to nibble at bitter herbs they would normally reject.