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Herbal Remedies
As a form of alternative medicine, herbal remedies are often used to treat health problems. They are a natural alternative to pharmaceutical drugs and are usually safe to use. Many people prefer to use them instead of conventional medicine as side effects are less likely, especially if you are suffering from a chronic condition.
What Are Herbal Remedies?
Herbal remedies commonly use plant extracts. Most herbal remedies feature more than one type of ingredient. This is based on the idea that the benefits will be greater when ingredients are combined.
How Can Herbal Remedies Benefit Me?
Herbal remedies can have a therapeutic effect. Over time, they can strengthen the immune system. Conventional medicine is usually used to treat health problems whereas alternative medicine seeks to enhance the body's natural healing mechanisms. If you choose to visit a herbalist, they will usually tailor their remedies to your personal circumstances. There is a strong emphasis on determining the underlying cause of your health complaints so that this can also be treated, as opposed to simply treating the symptoms alone.
Herbal treatments are often used for chronic health problems. When taken on a long term basis, pharmaceutical drugs could cause unpleasant or dangerous side effects. As herbal remedies are deemed a safer option, they are frequently suggested for conditions such as arthritis and insomnia. It is worth bearing in mind that in comparison to most forms of conventional medicine, it will take longer to start noticing the benefits of herbal treatments.
Are Herbal Remedies Safe To Use?
Herbal remedies are widely available in health stores and pharmacies. These can take the form of tablets, creams, capsules and herbal tea products. These tend to be mild treatments for relatively minor health complaints. For example, echinacea can be bought to use when you have a cold and St John's Wort is a common herbal treatment for minor forms of depression. Most of the herbal remedies that are readily available in health stores and pharmacies do not tend to cause many side effects. The fact that they contain a combination of different ingredients means that side effects are often cancelled out.
If you are pregnant or have a history of high blood pressure, heart problems or glaucoma, it may not be safe to use certain herbal treatments. If you are taking any prescription drugs or using supplements, there are also potential safety issues as herbal treatments can interfere with conventional medicines. For example, taking St John's Wort can make oral contraceptive pills less effective. It can also interfere with medicines that are prescribed to treat heart problems, depression, asthma and HIV. Visiting a medical herbalist is the best port of call in these situations as he or she will be able to advise on the safest thing to do.
Visiting Medical Herbalists
Although herbal remedies are relatively safe to use, it is best to visit a professional who specializes in herbalism to ensure that you are using the best herbal remedy for your individual situation. He or she will ask about your medical history and your current lifestyle. This will help to pinpoint what may be causing your problems, as well as determining the type of herbal remedy that will prove the most useful. You may be prescribed more than one herbal remedy depending on your assessment. Prescriptions will usually be dispensed through the pharmacy, which will often be located on the same site. You will be asked to attend another meeting to discuss how the treatment is working and whether a different form of herbal remedy should be tried instead.
Be careful when choosing a medical herbalist, as there are plenty of unqualified individuals operating as professional herbalists. Ideally, look for a herbalist who is a registered herbalist. In the US, look for a herbalist who is a member of the American Herbalists Guild. This professional body requires herbalists to pass a review in order to become a certified member. Alternatively, he or she may be a member of the National Institute of Medical Herbalists. It can be a good idea to contact the American Herbalists Guild for recommendations, or enquire at your nearest health store.
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