Introduction
More and more people are interested in the health benefits of natural medicine. According to a report by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, in 2007, 7% of adults used some form of non-vitamin, non-mineral natural product, a percentage that increased to 10% by 2012. The most popular forms were herbal products (4.9%), fish oil/omega 3s (2.8%), probiotics or prebiotics (1.5%) and glucosamine (1%). More research is needed on the effectiveness of herbal products for various diseases but there have been promising results on their potential health benefits:
Heart disease — garlic has been shown to reduce blood pressure in people with high blood pressure and may lower cholesterol levels as well.
Cancer — there is some evidence that green tea may be protective against prostate cancer in men and ovarian cancer in women, although further study is needed to confirm these results
Diabetes — studies have indicated that cinnamon may help control blood sugar levels; however more research is needed before it can be recommended for this purpose
Menopause — black cohosh has been found to relieve hot flashes associated with menopause but should not be taken longer than 6 months because its long term effects are unknown; red clover has also been found effective but should not be taken without consulting your doctor if you have a history of breast cancer, uterine cancer or endometriosis because it contains estrogen-like compounds
A brief history on herbal remedies
Herbs have been used for centuries to treat a variety of ailments. They are available in the form of teas, tinctures, oils, and more. Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years by many cultures around the world.
For thousands of years humans have turned to herbs as a way to treat disease and illness. The first evidence of herbal remedies dates back to ancient Egypt where they were used commonly by Egyptian people.
How to figure out which herbs are safe to use
To figure out which herbs are safe to use, you can:
Talk to your doctor. Your doctor may have experience with certain herbs and be able to recommend them. They might also be able to suggest alternative medications that are safer for people taking other medications.
Do some research on the internet or in books about herbal remedies and their effectiveness and side effects. When researching online, make sure that you look at reputable websites like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (nccih.nih) or PubMed (ncbi), which contain peer-reviewed studies on herbal remedies conducted by medical professionals (known as "evidence-based medicine"). Be sure not to trust everything you read, however—some websites will make unverified claims about how effective certain herbs are at treating illnesses without having any actual scientific evidence supporting their claims! And if possible, talk about what you're researching with someone else who knows about herbs so they can help guide your search.
How does the body respond to herbals?
Herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA and so, are not tested for safety, effectiveness or purity. They also do not interact with any medications you may be taking (unless you have allergies to certain herbs or plants).
Herbs are broken down by the liver and eliminated through your kidneys. Herbs do not build up in the body like medications do so they don't have potential long-term side effects that can occur with some pharmaceuticals over time.
Why not? Herbal and pharmaceuticals side by side
You may be wondering, “why should I use herbs?” There are many reasons.
Herbs are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Herbs can be taken safely in combination with most pharmaceuticals.
Herbs are cheaper than pharmaceutical drugs. With the rising cost of healthcare, this is important to consider when deciding which treatments to take.
Herbs are less addictive than most medications on the market today because they do not interact with your central nervous system like some prescription drugs do.
Because herbs are derived from natural sources, they do not carry any side effects that could potentially harm your health in other ways (aside from allergic reactions, which vary based on an individual's sensitivity level).
Herbals are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals.
Herbs are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. For example, rosemary is rich in iron and vitamin K, which helps to prevent osteoporosis. Ginkgo biloba contains flavonoids that promote the health of blood vessels.
Conclusion
So what are you waiting for? Go check out the herbals in your local store or online. You might be surprised to find that a lot of them are right up your alley.
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