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Herbal Remedies for Healing the Mind
Many people believe that herbal remedies are used solely to treat physical disease.
However, herbal remedies provide an effective natural alternative for healing the mind and emotions, as well as the body. Herbal therapy is one of the four pillars of traditional Chinese medicine, along with acupuncture, massage, and qigong. Chinese healers have understood the holistic healing power of herbal remedies for centuries, using plants, berries, and flowers to address not only physical imbalances in their patients, but also mental and emotional imbalances.
Gingko Biloba is a popular herb for healing the mind.
In fact, it is one of the best-selling herbs in the United States, due to its reputation as "brain food." More than 300 studies show that Gingko biloba improves blood circulation throughout the body, especially to the brain, improving concentration and memory. Gingko biloba has also been shown to increase the quality of life in Alzheimer's patients by slowing the loss of nerve cells. Gingko has also been used to treat "cerebral insufficiency", an affliction that creates confusion and lack of concentration.
Gotu Kola also supports brain function.
Gotu Kola is used to treat epilepsy and senility, as well as ADD in children. In addition, this herb enhances memory function. In a study conducted at Kasturba College, rats treated with Gotu Kola retained learned behavior 3 to 60 times better than the control animals. In one clinical trial, treatment with Gotu Kola was shown to increase scores on intelligence tests administered to mentally retarded children. Gotu Kola is considered the most "spiritual" of all herbs in India, where it is used to improve meditation, cultivate the energy center that originates at the top of the head, and balance the left and right hemispheres of the brain.
St. John's Wort is a natural alternative in treating depression.
St. John's Wort, a wildflower that is often considered a weed, has been shown to raise levels of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, elevating one's overall mood and sense of well-being. At The Centre for Complementary Medicine in Munich, Germany, researchers conducted 29 trials involving over 5,000 adults with depression. In a random assignment, the subjects were given either a standard prescription anti-depressant, a placebo, or St. John's Wort. The results showed that subjects who took the standard anti-depressant and those who took St. John's Wort experienced similar relief of depression after treatment. Already in Germany, doctors prescribe St. John's Wort more frequently than Prozac, and the Mayo Clinic has stated that "Overall, the scientific evidence supports the effectiveness of St. John's Wort in mild-to-moderate depression."
Schizandra Berry assists the body in adapting to emotional stress.
Schizandra berries grow on a creeping vine that is native to Northern China and are valued by many practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the treatment of anxiety, depression, and nervous exhaustion. The berries, which are a peculiar flavor combination of sour, sweet, salty, hot, and bitter (hence their Chinese name "wu-wei-zi", meaning "five taste fruit") are often infused into tea and used as a natural mild sedative. Schizandra berries contain lignans which are natural mood enhancers, and western practitioners have described the herb as a successful "adaptogen," helping the body to combat anxiety and emotional stress.
Hawthorne berries Have gained a reputation as "Food for the Heart."
The tiny red berry that grows on the Hawthorne shrub, packed with antioxidants and bioflavonoids, is now being hailed as a safe and potent heart tonic. At one time considered sacred, Hawthorne is now being used by doctors to treat patients suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hardening of the arteries, mitral valve prolapse, and angina. Hawthorne berry helps the heart use calcium, a mineral that contributes to healthy functioning of the entire cardiovascular system.
Milk Thistle improves liver and gallbladder function.
Milk thistle has been used successfully to treat chronic hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, and gallbladder disorders, and new evidence shows that it may even help the liver repair itself by regenerating new cells. The human liver is susceptible to damage from poor nutrition, the use of alcohol, and exposure to chemicals, but milk thistle may protect the liver from these and other forms of toxicity.
Recognizing the holistic healing power of herbs.
Although herbal remedies work wonders in the treatment of physical disease, it is important to keep in mind that plants and berries also have been used by herbalists for centuries to heal the mind and emotions, two crucial components of health and well-being. Even western medical practitioners today are widely acknowledging that these plants commonly dismissed as "weeds" are actually powerful tools for holistic healing.
For more information on herbal remedies, check out the EnvyMyHealh.com Vitamins & Herbs Channel!
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