FAQs: Herbal Remedies

What are Herbal Remedies?
Many herbs and plants have constituents that have curative properties and only medicines obtained from plants are used in herbalism. Many conventional medicines for example aspirin, penicillin and digitalis are directly derived from nature and herbal remedies. Interest in herbal remedies is growing very quickly with partly spurred with a disillusionment with conventional medicines. Herbs may contain many different ingredients and it is difficult to determine the exact ingredients which are responsible for any observed effects. It is therefore important to pick you supplier of herbal remedies carefully.

What are the Limits of Herbal Medicine?
Of course there are also limits to herbal therapies. They cannot modify end stage and organic diseases as well as pharmaceuticals can but they often times far excel in functional disturbances and non-emergency ailments.

In what form are herbal remedies taken?
They are given in the form of pills, capsules, juices, extracts or ointments. They can be made from just one herb or a combination. It is claimed that the interaction of different active parts can increase the effectiveness of the treatment and this is known as synergism.

How do herbs work?
Individual plants affect us physiologically through an interaction with the plant's own chemical constituents. When plants are ingested they alter us physiologically, chemically, and energetically, thus modifying our health/disease states. Studies based on the pharmacological properties of the active ingredients show that some herbal remedies are good, some are bad. In practise, for herbs with potential benefit, the degree of benefit, if present, is mild in most cases.

Are Herbal Remedies either Toxic or Habit forming?
Herbal remedies are neither toxic or habit forming in the quantities normally given.

When was Herbal Medicine first used?
Herbalism is an ancient practice of using plants to effect people's health. For thousands of years herbs have been the major source of medicinal drugs. They predate human records. The Chinese used camphor and ginseng as early as 2700 BC and the Egyptians aloe and opium in 1500 BC. Even today more people worldwide use plants than pharmaceutical drugs for medicine.

Why should I go to a herbalist for a consultation?
A herbalist has a vast experience in the effectiveness and potency of the herbal remedies that he prescribes and is experienced in deciding the best treatment for individual problems.

What happens in a typical consultation?
On a professional basis diseases are treated with specific herbs following a diagnosis by a herbalist which normally involves the entire physical person and personality. During a consultation a full case history will be taken including an assessment of your general health and well-being. This will include diet and lifestyle factors and also a physical examination may be needed. This information lets the herbalist decide which treatment is best suited to you. Once a treatment has started the herbalist will examine you to see how your health is responding to treatment. Methods of consultation and diagnosis vary between therapists.

How often will I need to see the Herbalist?
Often, the herbalist will want to see you the following week with subsequent visits. This will of course depend on the nature of the condition being treated and your response to the remedies. You may only need two visits for minor ailmernts and more serious conditions may require monthly visits until there are signs that your condition is improving.

What is native plant herbalism?
This is the use of locally abundant therapeutic local plants for medicinal use. Native plant herbalism is an alternative form of medicine that is environmentally friendly.

Should I take herbal medicines if I am taking prescription Medicines?
It is always adviseable to consult a doctor before starting to use a herbal remedy or supplement as it may interfere with the prescribed medicine.

Should I take Herbal Medicines Whilst Pregnant?
This is not advised. If you wish to take any herbal remedies whilst pregnant or beast-feeding you should always consult you doctor first.

What about Quality Control with Herbal Remedies?
There can be a lack of quality control for herbal products and dietary supplements. As a result, such products can be marketed without proof of either effectiveness or safety. Exaggerated claims for the benefit of products can be made, even though there has been no rigorous testing on humans to support the claims. However, there are many reputable sellers of herbal remedies where herbs which are potentially beneficial are sold.

What are the Common Medicinal Herbs?
Here we have listed some of the more common herbal medicines. To find more information, click on the links. As some of these remedies have been used for hundreds of years in Europe, we have also included where appropriate the entry from Culpepper, The English Physitian - 1652 by Nicholas Culpeper 1616-1654. The English physitian: or an astrologo-physical discourse of the vulgar herbs of this nation. These links are in bold.

Aloe Vera, Bilberry, Black Cohosh, Chamomile, Ginseng, Dong Quai, Echinacea, Evening Primrose, Feverfew, Garlic, Ginkgo Biloba, Ginger, Goldenseal, Gotu Kola, Green Tea, Hawthorn, Kava Kava, Milk Thistle, Nettle, Saw Palmetto, St. John's Wort, Valerian Root, Yohimbe Bark.

Resolve 20th January 2003