Healing with herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of healthcare in the world. The use of plants or plant parts to treat illness and restore health is a part of human history around the globe. Herbal medicine in its modern manifestations, though, is more than just the medicinal use of plants. Herbal medicine is also in a sense a holistic medicine as it focuses on treating the individual as a whole rather than just the symptoms of illness by stimulating the body’s natural healing powers.

Ginkgo
As a herbal medicine, ginkgo can increase blood flow to the brain, speeding recovery from stroke and improving memory, and boost blood flow to the heart and penis, possibly helping to relieve impotence in some men. The leaves of the ginkgo plant are believed to have anti-ageing effects and also counteract poor circulation and dementia.

Ginseng
Evidence has suggested that ginseng may help the body resist stress-induced illness through its adaptogenic action. This means that by a variety of mechanisms, this herbal medicine acts to help the body adapt to stress and restore health.

Hawthorn
As a herbal medicine, hawthorn can be taken in a number of ways, including in tablets, decoctions and liquid tinctures. Hawthorn assists in maintaining a healthy heart and can increase blood flow. It works by dilating the blood vessels, especially those nearest the heart. The herb is also used for poor memory, nervous tension and insomnia.

Hops
This herbal medicine is a relaxant, effective in treating cases of insomnia, moodiness, restlessness and anxiety, and can be ingested as a tea or sewn into a small cushion and placed under your pillow at night to help induce sleep.

Lavender
A herbal medicine known for its sedative powers. lavender flowers can be used to soothe mood disturbances such as a nervous stomach, flatulence, restlessness and insomnia, and can also act as a germ fighter.

Meadowsweet
This herbal medicine is one of the best digestive remedies available. An effective treatment for nausea, hyperacidity, heartburn and peptic ulceration, it contains salicin, which, once in the stomach, converts into salicylic acid, the main ingredient in aspirin.

Myrrh
Myrrh is today used as a topical treatment for skin infections, mouth inflammation, tooth decay and gum disease. This herbal medicine can also help with boils, glandular fever and bronchitis.

Passionflower
The aerial parts and flowers of passionflower can be effective for stress relief, anxiety, insomnia, cramps, toothache, menstrual pain and headache. Typically used to calm nerves and ease restlessness, passionflower is generally prepared in the form of a tablet, tincture or infusion.

Saw palmetto
The berries of this plant are used to aid urinary tract problems associated with an enlarged prostate. Saw palmetto helps to strengthen the neck of the bladder and blocks the production of hormones that encourage prostate growth.

Uva ursi
Dating back to the 2nd century CE, this herb’s leaves and berries were used by Native Americans as a weight loss aid and to treat infections in any part of the body. Today, it’s used predominantly to treat bladder infections. This herbal medicine contains a powerful antiseptic that’s activated in the urinary tract.

Valerian
Studies show this herb has similar tranquilising and sedative properties to valium, but without side-effects such as dizziness and blurred vision. The roots and bulb can be taken in tablet, decoction, tincture or tea form and can relieve urinary tract disorders, high blood pressure, digestive problems, liver ailments, stress, neuralgia and cramps.