Why Herbal Remedies?
With so many commercial healing products available, why would we go to the trouble of growing or buying herbs? Here are a few important reasons why I think it is good to become knowledgeable in the use of herbs.
The ideal treatment program for our health concerns is one that assists the body in its own healing process. Our bodies are designed to heal themselves, contrary to the belief that only doctors and drugs can effect healing. We can use natural, God-given plant and food remedies to help the body do its job of bringing the body back to a healthy, functional state.
• To help build up and strengthen body tissues, to prevent illness and disease and to assist the process of recuperation from surgery or prolonged illness
Our medical system does not deal with preventing disease or restoring the body after acute or chronic conditions or after surgery. There are many herbs which assist the body in this function. Some herbs are specific for each body system (such as the nervous system) but there are many that can affect the body more generally. These herbs are generally nutritious, energizing and are safe to use over an extended period of time. Examples are Dandelion, Oat Straw, Alfalfa, Nettles, Burdock.
• The failure of orthodox medicine to treat every disorder of every body system
Allopathic medicine (the accepted, established system in the U.S. – as opposed to Naturopathic, Chiropractic, Homeopathic etc. medicine) basically ignores important body systems. This is often because at this time they have no remedies to prescribe. We have herbs that fill this void.
The lymphatic system is completely ignored by medical doctors. This system of tubes takes the same route through the body as does the blood vessels. Their job is to pick up larger particles that are too big to enter the capillaries to be returned to the heart via the veins. Besides transporting waste debris, it also cleans the fluid before returning it to the heart to be recycled. Herbs such as, Cleavers (Galium), Poke Weed (Phytolacca), Red Root (Ceanothus), Cedar (Thuja) and Calendula spp. help to clean the lymph vessels and nodes and to treat diseases of this system.
The immune system counteracts a continuous attack from a variety of toxins, germs and pollutants, which can cause infections, allergies and cancer. We have many herbs that have an antimicrobial action (kills virus, fungal, and yeast infections as well as bacterial infections). Garlic, Myrrh, Thyme, Goldenseal, and Oregon Grape, Cedar and Osha are but a few of the herbs in our ‘arsenal’.
Some herbs enhance the activity of the ‘fighters’ in the immune system: Siberian Ginseng, Astragalus, Cat’s Claw and Mushrooms, esp. Maitake, Reishi, Shitake.
The nervous system is the body’s communication system coordinating all internal and external changes and needs. Many physical, chemical, hormonal and physiological factors work together in conducting an impulse and getting the proper response.
There are herbs that strengthen and restore nerve tissue and organs (Oats, St John’s Wort, Borage, Scullcap, Verbena). Some herbs stimulate a sluggish nerve response (Ginger, Rosemary, Gotu Cola, Ginkgo) and some relax an over-excited nervous system (Oats, Lavender, Chamomilla, Linden, Passion Flower, Valerian).
• Modern medicine offers little hope for chronic disorders
Years ago doctors treated mostly acute infections. Today, with a processed-food diet and a stress-filled lifestyle, our hospitals are filled with patients dealing with chronic conditions. It may take a few years to develop a chronic disorder so it often takes months of healing and rebuilding for full recovery to be established.
• The harmful side effects of pharmaceutical drugs
Unlike ‘magic bullet’ chemicals that target specific cells and destroy every cell in its path, most herbs have a beneficial effect on other tissues and organs as well as the specific area being treated. An example of this would be drinking Slippery Elm bark powder in juice to calm an irritated bowel, and in the process help soothe and heal the entire digestive tract, the urinary tract and add valuable nutrients to the body.
• The high cost of modern health care
Consider the cost of buying chemical preparations and prescriptions vs. going into your yard and picking some peppermint or Calendula flowers, and making a tea!
• Getting back to nature – a direct connection
Some people like the idea of partnering with nature by studying, growing and preparing natural remedies that help their bodies function in a state of health and constant energy.
Tags: Herbal Remedies