The Use of Herbs

Herbal medicine is the use of plants for their therapeutic effects upon your body. It employs many different types of plants ranging in strength from the tonic type which can be taken with relative safety, to plants which may have toxicity and must be used only by trained professionals. In the U.S., such medicine usually refers to the use of plants that are indigenous to Europe and North America. There are however many different disciplines including Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) which uses plants native to China or Asia and Ayurvedic medicine which uses plants native to India. This form of medicine takes a holistic approach which looks at the total person rather than just the symptoms of a disease. And the holistic approach is really the best way for you to get healthy and stay that way.

Plant medicine is the oldest known form of medicine.

Every culture had some form of plant medicine. In fact, medical doctors in the United States were trained in plant medicine up until the early 1900s. And the fact that that is no longer the case makes western medical doctors much the poorer in their ability to prescribe simple and safe remedies for their clients.

It also means that in order for a western medical doctor to safely practice plant medicine, another entire course of study is required. In spite of that, many professionals who already possess a license to treat patients, such as medical doctors, naturopathic doctors, physician's assistants and acupuncturists have now incorporated plant medicine into their practice.

Another alternative to actually becoming an an expert in the area of plant medicine is that licensed practitioners who wish to include plant medicine in their practice employ an herbalist. Many herbalists who want to practice medicine do so under the supervision of a licensed professional. And this meeting of the minds is a great gift to you, the client.

There are no restrictions regarding the use of plant medicine for yourself, teaching others about the uses of plants, and the manufacturing of herbal products (teas, tinctures, ointments etc.)

Here’s what a visit to an plant medicine practitioner might entail. An initial health assessment would include many questions about your present health and health history, your likes, dislikes, stressors, diet, exercise patterns and your health goals; that is, how you see yourself returning to glowing good health. The practitioner may also use certain diagnostic tools such as iridology, pulse and tongue assessment (used in Chinese Medicine), muscle testing or conventional physical exam procedures. Then, with your input, the practitioner will create a treatment plan for you.

Many practitioners have plant-based pharmacies in their offices. These might include dried or powdered herbs, herbs in capsules, or tinctures (alcohol extractions of the plant's active ingredients). The treatment plan will make use of a holistic approach. There may be recommendations concerning diet, vitamins, minerals and other supplements. Sometimes exercise therapies, energy or bodywork may be indicated.

As your condition progresses and changes, the plant formulas will change as well. For example, if you came to the office with a sore throat and flu-like symptoms, the formula would progress from one that was an acute symptom-directed remedy – which fights the virus, encourages the secretions to leave the body and stops the pain – to one with botanicals that balance and strengthen your system and work on preventive levels.

Plants are used for wellness. There is a class of botanicals called "adaptogens" which keep the immune system healthy and help you adapt to stressors so you don't succumb to sickness in the first place. There are special plants that address many women's health challenges, such as PMS, menopause and uterine fibroids. Also, there are plants that are perfect for men's health challenges – enlarged prostates, imbalanced sexual energies and infections. There are plants that help fight immune and auto-immune diseases like cancer, AIDS and arthritis.

Return to the previous page to get a thumbnail sketch of 10 of the most widely studied and used botanical remedies.

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