All About Herbs

There is so much information to absorb on this topic that it's a good idea not to worry about learning everything there is to know all at once. Many individuals in ancient times would spend literally their entire lives studying herbs and gathering knowledge about the beneficial properties that they contain. Some of us have our first exposure to herbs in the kitchen. We love the distinct flavor or cilantro in Mexican food, the oregano, thyme and garlic in many Italian dishes, the aroma and sharp taste of curry when we sample Indian cuisine, and rosemary paired with leg of lamb. Boy, that sounds good doesn't it? I know I love lamb. The use of herbs is really an indigenous phenomenon because they basically make use of what they can grow. The variety is astounding, and now as cultures around the globe are in greater communication than ever, and people are crossing borders in great numbers, more and more people are being exposed to new flavors through herbs. This bed of different herbs and the crossing over into different cultures is becoming more and more prevalent as the world becomes more accessible.

Traditional cultures also still use herbs as medicines. They either have strong believes in them or simply do not have the technologies and medicines that the Western world has developed. Many times it's the combination of both. But even industrialized nations depended on many herbs before the development of antibiotics in the 20th century. They proved to be so effective, many folk remedies fell by the wayside. Learning about herbs is no longer seen as such an important thing now that industrialization and science have such a huge impact on our modern life.

But now it seems is enough that is changing with a renewed interest in getting back to the natural, holistic treatments. Overuse of antibiotics has caused antibiotic resistant strains of bacteria to develop, which frightens many. A great many of our current medicines are actually keep all from ancient forerunners.

Western cultures are beginning to embrace these that this all plants just as other cultures have for centuries, especially Chinese herbal medicine and Indian ayurveda medicine. These have been practiced for thousands of years. There is a great deal to learn about herbs, and for those who are studying it, they certainly will attest to that. The way to eat an elephant, of course, is one bite at a time. It is the same when you are studying herbs.

Here's an interesting little tidbit that I would like to share about herbs. Astragalus is an herb in the Chinese medicinal pantheon. Your friendly neighborhood acupuncturist will no doubt be a to tell you about it in more depth. It is said to be an immune booster and energy builder. It is often prescribed by practitioners of Chinese medicine either by itself or in concert with immune and energy enhancing herbs such as ginseng and echinacea.

About the Author

Morgan Hamilton offers his findings and insights about herbs. You can get interesting and informative information here at herbs

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What is herbal medicine?

An approach to healing which uses plant or plant-derived preparations to treat, prevent, or cure various health conditions and ailments. This approach is incorporated into various medical systems. Although herbal medicine does not have a specific point of conception, at present an estimated 80% of the world’s population rely on medicinal plant preparations for their primary healthcare needs, according to the World Health Organization. ...
Herbal medicine involves the use of any or all of the different parts of plants (roots, leaves, stems and seeds) to treat illnesses and maintain health. Medicines are given to improve the body’s natural functions and to restore a natural balance of health. Herbal medicines can be given in many forms, such as liquids, infusions, tablets, creams and ointments.
Herbs are used in both Eastern and Western medicine. The aim is to use all parts of the herb and particular emphasis is laid on the energetic content of the herbs and its ability to stimulate healing. Thus the method of picking the herb and the time of day can affect the potency. The whole herb has a wider healing potential than the single active agent used by the pharmaceutical industry.