About Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those of the Egyptians, American Indians and Chinese. It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and wellbeing.
Plant medicine is considered the oldest and most traditional form of medicine in the world.
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance, so that it can start healing itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body. Some herbs have been scientifically studied and found to be both effective and safe.
In recent years, interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, leading to a greater scientific interest in the medicinal use of plants. Many international studies have shown that plants are capable of treating disease and significantly improving health, such as St John’s Wort Hypericum perforatum below, used for some forms of depression and pain.
Herbal medicines are used to treat a wide range of disorders, including:
- Anxiety/Depression
- Arthritis
- High blood pressure
- Hormonal imbalances, such as premenstrual tension
- Insomnia
- Migraine & Headaches
- Nausea
- Skin problems, such as eczema
Herbs may be given and used in many forms. For example as a foodstuff, Oats are of value for restoring and maintaining the nervous system during times of nervous depletion or when there is debility over long periods of stress or illness. They are useful for depression, anxiety and convalescence because they are nutrient rich especially in B vitamins, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. Locally, a paste made from soaking the rolled oats, has an emollient and cleansing action when applied on the skin and is used to treat a range of skin conditions ranging from acne to eczema.