What Is Herbalism?





What is herbalism and how does it work? The definition of this therapy states the following: alternative medicine based on herbs: a system of alternative medical treatment based on the belief in the power of herbs to stimulate the body’s healing powers

Any plant that is grown for culinary, medicinal, or in some cases even spiritual value is called an herb. The properties of culinary and medicinal herbs are entirely different, but both may be found in the same plant. For example, medicinal herbs are usually produced from the shrubs or woody parts of the plant while culinary herbs may be derived from the more leafy and soft part of the plant.

Herbalism is also known as phytotherapy. It is a very old folk medicine that is based on the use of plants and plant extracts. Human beings have been looking for healing powers in the vegetable kingdom for decades. There are innumerable types of indigenous plants that have been used by people for the treatment of many ailments. The history of such usage is long and well documented as knowledge of these therapies has been known for centuries.

In recent years plants have once again come into the foreground as the search for new drugs and dietary supplements have led researchers back into the plant kingdom. Pharmacologists, microbiologists, botanists, and natural product chemists are literally going through the entire roster of plant species with a fine toothed comb looking for phytochemicals that could lead to the development of cures for several types of diseases. Already there are many drugs on the market that have been derived from plants.

Phytotherapy today is being used to treat all kinds of disorders that range from mild cases like common cold to serious diseases like cancer. More and more hospitals are now offering phytotherapy remedies as complementary alternative treatments with conventional medicines. These remedies treat the cause of the disease and not the symptoms with little or almost no side effects. This is where phytotherapy remedies leave the mainstream drugs behind and the reason why so many people are turning to plants for alternative remedies.

The increase in public acceptance of this alternative treatment has created the need to conduct studies regarding herbal cures. The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has started to fund clinical trials to improve the medical world's understanding of herbal medicine. Genuine and well tested information will provide the key for medical science to under how phytotherapy medicine affects and interacts with our bodies chemically.

To find out more about this therapy, locate phytotherapy products or facts for developing a career using herbs, please use the links listed below.

Herb Book Store

Herb Products Store

Herbalism Career



Would you like to grow your own herbs? Watch this "how to" video on Hydroponic Gardening and learn how to grow herbs year round.







Alternative Healing - Ways to Improve Your Health and personal well-being through Affirmations, crystal healing, goal setting techniques, aromatherapy, feng shui, health tips, herbs, massage and more.

Food From The Garden - The best source of healthy organic food, but the information here goes far beyond organic vegetable gardening to include herbs, fruit, free range eggs and aquaponics.

The Way Up Browse our online Alternative Health Product Store for The Way UP with Dr Slagle's recommended Natural Supplements, Remedies, Herbal, Vitamins, Minerals, Enzymes, Homeopathy, Amino Acids, Natural Hormones. Free newsletters & Ebook. Visit http://www.thewayup.com







Google
 





footer for herbalism page