This site contains affiliate links to products sold by selected self improvement partners. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.
This is a new series that is going to be focused on using plants to support bodily health. The articles are, for the most part, free (that is, I am not promoting any affiliate or other products). Nor do I benefit in any way from recommending any products or services mentioned in the series.
Throughout this series, I will be using the terms plant medicine and herbal medicine interchangeably.
I understand that this might be confusing for some who might see plant medicine as being focused on plants ONLY, while herbal medicine might refer to formulations that include one or more plants.
Nevertheless, throughout this series, I will be addressing both aspects.
Oh yes, and before we go any further…
I remind you that the information provided in this series is for information purposes only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, nor is it to be construed as such. It does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment where required. Consult a doctor for medical advice, treatment or diagnosis.
Okay, with that out of the way, let’s move on.
A suitable alternative
Herbal medicine offers a healthy solution for supporting bodily health. More and more people are turning to plant-based solutions, particularly since the COVID pandemic. Whether these solutions are with food, supplements, or both.
It might be useful to learn that you don’t have to dish out thousands of dollars a month just to keep your body in decent shape. It’s true that there are plenty of high-end products made by pharmaceutical companies to help you fight health-related problems, but the cost of the treatment and side-effects might prove to be a hindrance to you rather than a benefit.
The information here might also be useful whether you are into survivalist body-hacking, seeking help with nutritional strategies, bodybuilding, or just general health and/or fitness. You might also wish to pay attention if you are under a doctor’s care.
Some points to note about herbal medicines
As the name suggest, herbal medicines are made from plants. Plants contain chemicals and nutrients that are highly beneficial to the human body. Herbal products sold in health and fitness stores today usually contain only 100% natural ingredients to support certain health conditions.
Aims of this natural healing method might include:
- boosting the body’s immune system to fight off ailments naturally
- improving your digestive processes or
- supporting other bodily systems.
A major reason for taking herbal medicines is usually because you would rather do that than subject your body to synthetic chemicals that might prove harmful to your health.
Some of these plants may even be found in your back yard, if you are are fortunate to have a yard where plants grow freely.
I was watching a well known gardening program recently, and I winced as I saw one person spraying dandelions with weed killer. Ouch!
The humble dandelion makes a delicious tea – and you don’t even need to sweeten it.
If you don’t have a garden, you can grow some herbs in pots, for example, sage and basil.
Taking herbal medicines to promote bodily health
Our body needs a specific amount of nutrients for it to function normally. Vitamins and supplements can only do so much if your body itself is deteriorating rapidly (say, because of toxins or stress), as they take a while to kick in.
They are somewhat similar to pharmaceutical drugs in that respect.
Some herbs can, however, be ingested via tinctures which are absorbed through the membranes under the tongue if you need something that is quick-acting.
Or they can be had as a tea (internal) or poultice (external).
Herbal medicines are formulated to address one or more of the body’s functions. While they are not meant to be substitutes for the vitamins and nutrients in foods you need to keep it functioning, these natural products were designed to enhance each and every area of your body for it to perform better – and taking a good multi-vitamin on top of your herbal supplement could help with boosting their effects in a synergistic way.
Safety precautions in using herbal medicines
While there are no known contraindications with most plants that we commonly use in our day-to-day living, it is worth noting the following:
Plants are HOLISTIC in nature. That is, all parts of the plant are useful – and are usually safe. What this means has huge implications in terms of the way they are harvested and used by companies seeking to use extracts and/or standardize their products.
If there are any problems, it is not with the ingredients themselves, but often in the actual use of the product that unexpected issues may arise.
One of the common “problems” attributed to the use of herbal medicines is self-medication.
The practice of self-medication is often associated with
- conducting research online
- looking at reviews and pricing
- taking online courses.
I am unaware of any instances where the proper dosage indicated on the label might not the prescribed dosages for our use and that this has resulted in unexpected issues.
However, it is essential that you consult an expert first so that they can determine the exact content of the herbal product and discuss coming up with a safe way to use it to avoid complications.
With regard to the use of the actual plant itself, you still need to take care, particularly if dealing with certain medical conditions. For example, if you are dealing with kidney gallstones, you might not want to be using dandelion leaves without getting qualified advice. Or else, you might consider the condition a medical emergency and call 9-1-1.
The law of individual differences
It has to do with something the late powerlifter and educator Dr. Phil Hatfield calls The Law of Individual Differences.
I think you can tell this is self-explanatory.
Just in case you don’t get it, even if there are a thousand positive reviews for a product you are interested in, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this will work for you.
Or else, if it does, it might work differently.
It goes without saying that you MUST read the instructions.
If you choose to self-medicate and you are not doing so under the care of a healthcare professional (including a natural health practitioner), you do so at your own risk.
After all, YOU are the expert when it comes to your own body and your healthcare provider is a facilitator in that respect.
Again there is nothing intrinsically wrong or inappropriate with taking charge of your own health if you so choose.
By the way, having a full blood test done before embarking on this journey can throw up some interesting things. There is a Jamaican saying:
“mek sure fi unsure”!
…which being interpreted is: you might want to make sure (of something) just in case.
Also, consumers are urged to avoid taking in more of the product to avoid having problems with it. Many would think that herbal medicines are safe to use and taking more of them in one sitting from the outset would hasten the healing process. Again, this has to do with the law of individual differences.
More is not necessarily better!
On the other hand, there are appropriate methods for testing dosage limits in a similar way to using pharmaceutical drugs. You are advised to seek professional advice before doing so.
Watch out for scammers!
It goes without saying that the boom in herbal medicine has brought its share of scammers. Be careful and do your research before parting with your money.
Finally…
If you are under a doctor’s care and taking prescriptions, you will want to make sure that you are not taking them simultaneously with herbal medicines. If you are using both, make sure you wait about two hours after taking your prescriptions before doing herbal medicines.
In the next article we will look at some advantages and disadvantages of taking herbal medicines.
To a better, wiser, stronger YOU!
This site contains affiliate links to products sold by selected self improvement partners. We may receive a commission for purchases made through these links.