| Herbs |
Herbs are usually used for cooking, medicine or religious purposes. For our purpose, we want to focus on herbal medicine – also called botanical medicine, phytomedicine or herbalism - which focuses on the use of any plant’s seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark or flowers for medicinal use.
Whole herbs contain many components, and the specific ingredient that causes a therapeutic effect is not yet known. The strengths of herbs vary by doses, the type of growing environment, how it was harvested, processed and stored. A variety of complementary herbs are often used together to enhance an herb’s effectiveness, to reduce toxicity and provide synergistic actions and reactions.
Most people use herbs to:
- correct imbalances
- resolve patterns of dysfunction
- treat the underlying cause of their symptom
Herbal medicines contain a combination of chemicals – each with a specific action. Herbs can be very powerful, elicit complex physiological responses and interact differently with conventional medicines or drugs. Also, since herbal medicine is unregulated, some herbal products are often mislabeled and may contain additional additives that you do not want.
Whatever you do, consult an expert, your doctor or a trained professional before using herbs.
Different Herb Forms:
- fresh or dried
- tea
- syrups
- oils
- liquid extracts
- powders
- tinctures
- pills
- capsules
Each form of the herb has its own strength and medicinal qualities. Read your labels and know what they contain and the amount of active herb ingredients you are consuming.
Partial Herb or Medicinal Medicine List
Some Alternative Medicine Practices:
Whatever you choose, look for an alternative medicine that works for you in conjunction with your medical professional.
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| melsQuiz answer |
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| melsBuzz |
| There are so many different herbs to try. Find a store or herbalist that knows about herbs and ask lots of questions. |
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| melsAdvice |
- The correct spice or herb for any food is the one that tastes right for you.
- Whole spices and herbs can be ground in a small coffee grinder, small food processor, pepper grinder or with mortar and pestle.
- Use herbs and spices sparingly, to enhance and accent other flavors, rather than dominate them.
- The shelf life of each herb and spice is different, and all age, even under the best conditions
- When using herbs for medicinal medicine, start slowly and be careful
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| DidYouKnow? |
- Herbs have been used for medicinal purposes before recorded history
- Scientists have found that people who live in different parts of the world tended to use the same, or similar, plants for the same purpose
- Recently, the World Health Organization estimated that 80% of people worldwide rely on herbal medicine for some aspect of their primary care
- In Germany, approximately 600-700 plant-based medicines are available and are prescribed by about 70% of German doctors
- Nearly 1/3 of Americans use herbs
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| melsTips |
- The correct spice or herb for any food is the one that tastes right for you.
- Whole spices and herbs can be ground in a small coffee grinder, small food processor, pepper grinder, or with mortar and pestle.
- Use herbs and spices sparingly, to enhance and accent other flavors, rather than dominate them.
- The shelf life of each herb and spice is different, and all age, even under the best conditions
- When using herbs for medicinal medicine, start slowly and be careful
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| melsQuiz |
- What is the most common way herbs are used in China?
- People often confuse extracts and tinctures. What is the difference between the two?
- What is a Dit Da Jow?
- True or False? Spices and herbs will lose their color, taste and aroma over time.
- Herbalism is also known as?
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| melsQuiz Answers |
- As tea
- Tinctures are made by soaking a herb in a high-proof alcoholic beverage for several months. An alcohol extract is made by a similar process, but heat is usually involved in making an extract, and larger quantities of herbs are used to increase the concentration.
- A Dit Da Jow is a herbal formula (liniment) used for treating external injuries. They are commonly used in martial art training to speed up the healing of injuries or toughen the body. A common translation of the name "Dit Da Jow" is "Hit medicine" or Hit wine". There are many recipes that circulate in martial art circles.
- True. To preserve peak flavor and color, store spices and herbs in a cool, dry place, away from exposure to bright light, heat, moisture or oxygen.
- Botanical medicine, medicinal botany, medical herbalism, herbal medicine, herbology and phytotherapy
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