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Herbal Alternative
Plants are nature’s
remedies. The use of plants for healing purposes
predates human history and forms the origin of much
modern medicine. Herbal traditions have been passed
down and refined with scientific understanding,
providing information to assist in health
maintenance.
Today, our diet
mainly consists of foods rich in fats, oils, and
complex carbohydrates. These have become problems in
today's society, both leading to certain chronic
diseases. Many dietary and herbal approaches attempt
to balance the body's nutritional well-being. This
includes dietary supplements and herbal medicine.
What are herbal products?
Herbal products
(medicines/dietary supplements) fall under the
complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) which
refers to the practices that aren’t integral parts
of conventional medicine according to the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.
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Herbs are valuable
sources of natural medicine, vitamins and minerals
that have a remarkable history of curative effects,
when used in the proper way. In fact, the World
Health Organization
estimates that there are 4 billion people or 80
percent of the world population who are presently
using herbal medicine for some aspect of primary
healthcare.
Herbal treatments may come in different
forms.
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Forms of Herbal treatments:
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Teas made by
pouring boiling water over fresh or dried herbs
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Liquids made by
boiling herbs in water, then using the
concoction to make oils or syrups
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Solids such as
powders, tablets and capsules
Although herbs have
both nutritive and medicinal values and perceived as
generally safe, care must be practiced with regard
to their use and dosage. Always consult with your
health care provider concerning the use of herbals,
especially when pregnant, breastfeeding, or with
chronic illness.
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