I am an herbalist and aromatherapist, and I would like to help others learn about my field of work and the wonders of our planet.
The term Herbalist encompasses so much. To explain what has taken me a lifetime to learn can’t be accomplished here in just a few pages, and I’m learning more myself every day. My goal is to help the person who is brand new to herbs and herbology, as well as more experience people if I can. If there is something you feel I should add or cover in more detail, please let me know!
What is an herb? In natural healing, the term herb is used for any plant or part of a plant used for its therapeutic value. It includes all parts of a plant, each part being used for specific purposes. Although it is primarily a plant-based discipline, herbal traditions also include mineral and animal substances as “herbal medicines.”
What is Herbal Medicine? Herbal Medicine refers to the art, science and tradition of using herbs to promote health and treat or prevent illness.
How old is Herbology? While the name herbology may not be old, plants have been used for medicinal purposes since the beginning of mankind. Written history of herbal treatment is over 5000 years old, with evidence of diseases being treated with herbs about 16 centuries before Christ. While the use of herbs in America has been overshadowed, 75% of the world’s population rely on the use of herbs for their medicinal value.
What are the differences between herbs and pharmaceuticals? Herbal medicine is prepared from living or dead plants and contain hundreds to thousands of interrelated compounds. The safety and effectiveness of herbs is related to this synergy. Most pharmaceutical drugs are a single chemical compound of a plant, with only about 15% of modern drugs being derived from plants.
How can herbs and Herbal Medicine help? Herbs offer a wide range of safe and effective therapeutic value. They are used essentially in three ways: to prevent disease, to treat disease, and to maximize health. Herbs are used for symptomatic relief of minor ailments, treating chronic health conditions and improving one’s overall well-being.
How long does it take for herbs to work? Herbal treatment success depends on several factors. These factors include how long a person has had a condition, the severity of the condition, the dosage and mode of administration of herbs, and also how well a treatment regime is followed. Medicine is an art, not just a science. The simpler the condition, the easier to treat. A salve made of herbs to treat a skin eruption will see much quicker results then a chronic condition that has had years of advancement. We have become accustomed to the “quick fix”, and we can find ourselves inpatient when working with herbs because they usually take a bit longer to produce results. But we are beginning to realize that, while herbs may take longer to treat a condition, they are safer to use with fewer side effects, and have an overall longer benefit to us.
How safe are herbs? Herbs are much safer to use then conventional medicine. Research has shown that deaths from herbs number 1 in 1,000,000 while death from the use of a conventional medicine is 1 in 2,000. While herbs are much safer to use then drugs, herbs can have side effects: they can be dangerous, cause severe allergic reactions and have negative interactions with medicines. Knowledge decreases the possibility of these concerns. Following the rules below will help:
- Consult with someone who has been properly trained.
- Consult with your doctor of your intentions to use herbal treatments, and share with your herbalist any medications you are presently taking.
- Read labels carefully.
- Research for yourself about an herb from at least two different resources before taking it.
- Heed safety warnings, understanding that many contradictions are often understated in clinical settings and on written warning labels.
- Do not believe claims of miraculous cures.
- Follow the dosage recommendations - more is not always better.
- Start with a moderate dose, and increase over time as needed once you know how your body is reacting to it.
- Monitor yourself for any reactions, and discontinue if there are any adverse reactions.
- Call 911 and seek immediate medical help for any serious reactions.
What is the difference between Herbal Medicine and Conventional Medicine? An herbalist treats an individual as a whole, not just a disease or the symptoms of an ailment but also the person’s lifestyle and diet. An herbalist will address lifestyle issues as well as the disease itself. By contrast, conventional medicine quite often treats a disease by attacking it with strong chemical medicines which the body can find difficult to process, by the removal of organs, etc. But it ignores the unique makeup of the individual that includes taking into account his or her diet and lifestyle.
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