The healing properties of herbs have been known for millenniums

Even in our modern world, with all the remarkable achievements of science and technology, herbs are not forgotten. What is more, in recent decades herbs underwent a real revolution and even people who are skeptical about the healing power of herbs , turn to them. Probably this growing interest in herbs is the result of the Back to Nature attitude, or maybe it is due to the fact that since traditional medicine can't always cope successfully with diseases and conditions, alternative approaches are sought. In any case, there is no doubt that herbs are not regarded as witchcraft anymore but rather they are treated as an equal partner to modern pharmaceutic products.

The Statute of Herbs

Even if herbs are considered to be an equal partner of modern pharmaceutic products, this is not visible right away by their statute in many countries. I don't mean that herbs are banned; rather they and pills are treated in different ways. Herbs are treated more as if they were fruits and vegetables, rather than drugs. For instance, in the USA (and in many other countries as well) herbs and herbal remedies are not regulated by FDA (Federal Drug Administration), which means that their composition is not monitored – i.e. there is no guarantee that the bottle contains what is written on the label, or that every time you purchase a particular herb, it will have exactly the same ingredients in exactly the same proportions.

Also, conservative doctors generally disapprove herbs and do not recommend them. Very often they actually ban their patients from using herbs. This is not difficult to understand because if you take herbs together with your conventional treatment, both might interfere and actually cause damage, rather than help. Another reason is that most medical schools do not offer courses about herbs and because of that doctors are not familiar with them, even though they can read the chemical composition of a herbal remedy.

But no matter if herbs are regulated by government and accepted by doctors, it is a matter of fact that if used wisely, herbs do help in treating many diseases and conditions.

Use of Herbs

Making a list of all diseases and conditions that benefit from herbs would constitute a whole volume and there are numerous diseases that are positively influenced by herbs. Unlike pills, herbs are generally slow in action, so it is not realistic to expect quick results with them. Herbs are very effective in the early stages of a disease, or when one has the time to wait patiently till their beneficial effect comes in power. Also, herbs are good for disease prevention, especially if they come from an ecologically clean region. Many herbs can be grown in your own garden, so in this case you don't have to worry about their origin.

Herbs can be taken in many forms – for instance as a cream or ointment, or as a compress, or as an oil or tincture. Very often they can even be taken together with drugs but in any case, when you are undergoing some type of therapy, always tell your doctor that you are taking or are planning to take herbs as well because herbs, like traditional pills, also happen to have side effects when taken alone or in combination with other herbs or medication. This way you will avoid many unpleasant surprises!