1. Note the medications and/or supplements you are currently taking.
If your treatment plan includes herbs, this is very important as some drugs-herb combination can have adverse effects.
2. Be sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing!
Loose clothing allows for those trickier acupuncture points to be reached, IE. something that would allow for the sleeves or pant legs to be rolled up.
3. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugars.
If your morning cup of coffee is needed to start your day, feel free to enjoy a cup, but do try to abstain from caffeine as your appointment draws near. The caffeine can make it difficult to get accurate readings on your pulse and tongue, since coffee increases your heart rate and stains your tongue.
4. What you eat before and after treatment can affect how well the treatment works. It’s important that you are not hungry going into treatment, but also not stuffed! The best thing to do is to eat a few hours before heading to your appointment — a full meal isn’t necessary, a snack will give you the energy to fully profit from your treatment. But remember receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach may lead to lightheadedness, dizziness or even fainting.
Acupuncture Questions & Answers
Q. What is acupuncture and its history
Twenty thousand years ago man started to use sharply polished needles, made from stone, to cure pain. Later they used needles made from animal bones. Two thousand years ago people in the north of China developed this into acupuncture. They mapped acupoints, the meridians and completed the theories around these. More recently the location of the acupoints and meridians have been confirmed, using sensitive apparatus measuring electrical resistance.
Q. What problems can be treated with acupuncture?
1. Rheumatic and arthritic conditions. These are the most common conditions for which acupuncture is used. The conditions under this heading include all if the following: tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, all the painful shoulder problems, neck problems, lumbago and other back problems, wrist pain, hip, knee and ankle problems and any other painful condition of muscle, ligaments or other soft tissue disturbances, such as shin splints.
2. Sports injuries: These respond dramatically to acupuncture with needles or laser which will often increase the healing response by 30 to 50%.
3. Neurological disorders: These include trigeminal neuralgia of the face, post herpetic neuralgia (pain during and after shingles), headaches and migraines, occipital neuralgia, sciatica, intercostals neuralgia
4. Paralysis: Bells palsy (facial paralysis) and stroke patients.
5. Allergy problems: hay fever, some asmathics, eczema and other skin problems.
6. Tone ups: Many conditions will improve with a course of acupuncture treatment since this improves function and assists the system to function better. These include fatigue, M.E. syndrome, low resistance with recurrent colds and flu.
7. Miscellaneous conditions: Herpes zoster (shingles), depressions and anxiety, irritable bowel problems, sinusitis.
8. Gynaecological problems: painful periods, PMS, infertility, endometriosis.
9. Cigarette and alcohol addiction, obesity or overweight.
10. Chronic prostatitis
11. Epilepsy
Q. How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works through stimulation of the meridians at their external locations via points which are located along them. The stimulation can be accomplished by applying needles, heat, finger or hand pressure, scraping or cupping (suction). The therapeutic effect occurs internally by regulating Qi and stimulating the proper internal functions to which the external meridians and points are connected. It also removes blocks to the flow of energy. If energy is freed then it can flow and heal the person. A great deal of research has been carried out in recent times all of which suggest that a number of mechanisms are probably involved. Whatever the underlying mechanism however the end result appears to be an improvement in function. Any improvement in function means that the system is able to work more effectively than before and can now start the process of healing.
Q. Is there any chance of contracting AIDS?
Acupuncture needles are made from stainless steel. They are sterilized in a sealed package and for single use only. There is no chance of contracting AIDS.
Q. Are the effects of acupuncture symptomatic only?
Acupuncture is not symptomatic. Many conditions are permanently cured while others might need booster treatments for a period of time.
Q. Is acupuncture painful?
Very thin needles are used for acupuncture, insertion of the needle should be painless when performed by a competent acupuncturist. After the needles are inserted the patients usually feel some sensation locally or distant. Traditionally it refers to the energy reaction of the body and is good in producing more results. For some cases the doctor may manipulate needles for one or two times during retaining the needle and before the needles are withdrawn to produce more needling sensations. But if you really do not like this sensation, you can definitely ask your doctor to do a gentle treatment.
Herbal Tips
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS AND HERBAL MEDICINES
A pharmaceutical drug typically uses a synthesized version of a plant’s active ingredient. We maintain that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe, if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. For instance, salicylic acid is found in the plant meadow sweet and is used to make aspirin. Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, but meadow sweet naturally contains other compounds that counteract the irritant qualities of salicylic acid. The effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts
HERBAL MEDICINE:
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those of the Africa, American Indians, Chinese and Egypt . It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well being.
Some herbs have potent ingredients and should be treated with the same care and respect as pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, many pharmaceutical drugs are based on the synthesized versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. For instance, the heart drug digitalis was derived from the herb foxglove.
In recent years, interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, leading to a greater scientific interest in plant. Plants are capable of treating diseases tagged incurable and improving health, often without any significant side effects.
HERBS TIPS AND USES
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance, so that it can start healing itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body. Some of the herbs that have been scientifically studied, and found to be effective and safe, include:
TURMERIC:
Ease arthritis, a heaping helping of curry could relieve your pain. That's because turmeric, a spice used in curry, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis. Also Prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin can help shrink precancerous lesions known as colon polyps, when taken with a small amount of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in onions, apples, and cabbage. The average number of polyps dropped more than 60% and those that remained shrank by more than 50%. Curcumin also helps clear the brain of the plaques that are characteristic of the disease. For general health, we recommends adding the spice to your cooking whenever possible.
ROSEMARY:
Stop tumors, Rosemary extract helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first step in tumor formation, according to several studies. To reduce HCAs, we recommends marinating foods in any supermarket spice mix that contains rosemary as well as one or more of the spices thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, or parsley.
GINSENG:
Generally used for debility and weakness, for example during recovery from illness. It can be used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the healing processes of the body.
GARLIC:
Can be used to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood fats and cholesterol (a type of blood fat) levels. The antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic mean that it is also used to fight colds, sinusitis and other respiratory infections. Also lowers cancer risk.
GINGER:
Many studies have shown ginger to be useful in treating nausea, including motion sickness and morning sickness.
GINKGO BILOBA:
Commonly used to treat poor blood circulation and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Some studies have found ginkgo biloba to be effective in treating neurological disorders, such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
GINSENG:
Generally used for debility and weakness, for example during recovery from illness. It can be used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the healing processes of the body.
HYPERCUM:
Commonly known as St John’s Wort. Hypericum is just as effective as some synthetic antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. It is also effective for anxiety and insomnia. Research is currently focusing on hypericum’s antiviral properties and its effect on AIDS.
POKEROOT:
Take the tincture for acute lymphatic congestion and infection in a dose of 20 drops daily.
CLEAVERS:
This herb is a lymphatic cleanser and helps to rid the lymph system of toxins. Use as a tea or full supplement.
CALENDULA:
Used to treat inflamed or congested lymph glands. Drink an infusion of 4 grams dried flower heads in 1 cup boiling water, steeped for 5 minutes 3 times a day.
ECHINACEA:
Boosts the immune system and aids the body in fighting infection. It is used to treat ailments such as boils, fever and herpes. Echinacea is under investigation for its use in treating cancer and AIDS.
CINNAMON:
Lower blood sugar, taking cinnamon extract daily successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%. Also, cinnamon packs a one-two punch for people with type 2 diabetes by reducing related heart risks. In another study of diabetics, it slashed cholesterol by 13% and triglycerides by 23%. To tame blood sugar, take 1g capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily. But keep in mind that a large amount of the actual spice can be dangerous, so stick with a water-soluble extract.
FIGWORT:
This cleanser of the lymph system helps heal problems by removing toxins. Take the tea daily, its available for purchase.
HORSETAIL:
This diuretic can help reduce mild cases of edema.
DANDELION:
This natural herbs helps if you’re retaining fluid. Take as a tea or supplement. Available for purchase.
RED ROOT:
–This herb cleanses the lymph glands and nodes to remove waste that may be accumulating. Take as a tincture.
NOTE: Above are tips of herbs and their uses, we have herbal full supplements for wide variety of diseases even those tagged incurable like Parkinson's disease, Lymph disorder, ALS, COPD, Hepatitis b, Alzheimer’s disease, Pulmonary fibrosis, Neurological disorders etc with combination of different natural roots/herbs.
What is Herbal Medicine ?
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine, in the hands of a skilled and properly qualified practitioner, offers a way in which to regain that wonderful state of well-being. Unlike modern pharmaceuticals, which use synthetic chemicals to alter directly the delicate structure of the body, herbal medicine extracts the whole plant without interfering or changing its constituents; thus retaining the natural balance and maximising healing potential.
What does a Herbalist do?
A Medical Herbalist takes down a full case history, listening to all the physical, mental and emotional symptoms the patient relates in order to evaluate the overall picture and understand the root cause of the patient’s disease.
Practitioners of Herbal Medicine are not only trained in the same non-invasive diagnostic skills as ordinary doctors; but also use the benefits of a holistic viewpoint, traditional knowledge and additional forms of diagnosis such as Tongue, Pulse or Iris diagnosis to elicit the root of the health problem.
Treatment is aimed at restoring true health; not at suppressing the symptoms.
For Whom is Herbal Medicine Suitable?
Because Herbal medicine is concerned with restoring health rather than focusing on symptoms, it can be used for any kind of health problems.
Professional Medical Herbalists are trained to deal with any disease condition for which a person would normally visit his/her GP; from simple coughs, colds, or stomach upsets, to long-term problems such as rheumatism, arthritis, skin disorders, insomnia, asthma, hay fever, menstrual difficulties including conditions diagnosed as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and so forth.
There is no limit to the ways in which a Herbal practitioner can help a patient back to health.
All it takes is a serious commitment to getting well. Organic Herbal Clinic doctors will guide the patient to that effect.
Allergies
Many people today are complaining of different ‘allergies’ which are restricting their lives. We believe that these ‘allergies of modern life’ are the result of mal-absorption and that by addressing the cause and restoring the digestive functions, the patient is able to lead a normal life again.
A Brief History of Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine, sometimes referred to as Phytotherapy, Botanotherapy or Botanical Medicine is the use of plants for their medicinal value and has a long and respected history, it is the oldest form of health care known to mankind.
A herb is a plant valued for it medicinal, aromatic or savoury qualities. Herbalists use the leaves, stems, flowers, roots, bark and berries of a vast variety of plants to prevent and treat illness.
Herbalism dates back to the dawn of time when man evolved due to the existence of plants, relying on plant material for food, clothing and shelter as well as medicine. It is impossible to know exactly when we first started using herbs for medicinal purposes but archaeological remains from early civilisations show that plants were used in burials and other rituals. Much of the use of plants appears to have been developed through observing animals and trial and error.
Marshmallow root and yarrow have been found carefully placed around the bones of a Stone Age man in Iraq – these herbs continue to be used widely today. The entire Middle East has a rich history of herbal healing. Texts survive from ancient cultures in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Egyptian hieroglyphs show physicians in the first and second centuries AD treating constipation with senna pods and using caraway and peppermint to relieve digestive problems.
Herbal lore was passed down from generation to generation and gradually information was methodically collected from native peoples and compiled in herbal pharmarcopoeias. One of the first written records of herbal medicines was Chinese, in around 2800BC in the ‘Pen Ts’ao’ by Shen Nung. Later, around 1800BC the records of King Hammurabi of Babylon include instructions for the use of medicinal plants.
Throughout the Middle Ages botanicals were the only medicines available and households would have small herb gardens; also the village herbalist would train an apprentice.
During Tudor times Henry VIII appears to have been touched by the plight of the poor and their inability to afford doctors. He produced his now famous ‘Charter of King Henry VIII’, which enabled many poor people of the time to obtain treatment from a herbalist. The Charter also protected the rights of the Herbalists themselves and provides a safeguard for the continuation of herbal healing today.
By the 17th century knowledge of herbal medicine was widely spread throughout Europe and in 1649 Nicholas Culpeper wrote his famous pharmacopoeia which was one of the first medical manuals intended for the use of the lay person, and is still widely quoted from today. Culpeper studied at Cambridge University to become a doctor; instead he chose to apprentice to an apothecary and eventually set up his own shop, serving the poor of London.
Until the 18th century there was a certain amount of confusion as a plant could be given many names and similarly the same name could be give to many plants. Early in the century a Swedish botanist name Carl von Linné (better known as Linnaeus) developed a naming system giving a unique Latin name to every known species. This classification became very useful to botanists and herbalists alike.
During the 19th century pharmaceuticals started to appear but during the First World War the lack of availability of drugs increased the use of herbal medicines. After the war pharmaceutical production increased and penicillin was discovered. Herbal practitioners had their rights to dispense their medications taken away and then reinstated. By the 1950s people began to express the concern over the large number of side effects and the environmental impact of drugs.
Rather than using a whole plant, pharmacologists identify, isolate, extract and synthesize individual components, thus capturing the active properties. However, this can create problems. In addition to active constituents, plants contain many other substances – minerals, vitamins, volatile oils, glycosides, alkaloids etc, which are important in supporting a particular herb’s medicinal properties. These elements also provide an important natural safeguard as isolated active compounds can become toxic in relatively small doses; it usually takes a much greater amount of a whole herb, with all of its components to reach a toxic level. Thus herbalists consider that the power of a plant lies in the interaction of all its ingredients.
Timeline
2800BC First written record of herbal medicines by Shen Nung in China – the ‘Pen Ts’ao’
c400BC Hippocrates developed principles of happiness, diet and exercise. The first Greek herbal was written.
c100BC First illustrated Greek Herbal written.
c50AD The Roman Empire spreads herbal medicine and plant commerce.
c200AD Herbalist, Galen created a classification system for illnesses and remedies.
c500AD Physicians of Myddfai practiced Hippocrates’ principles
c800AD Monks pioneered herbal medicine with infirmaries and physic gardens at every monastery.
1100sAD Physician Avicenna wrote the Canon of Medicine. The Arab world was a major influence on medicine and healing.
1200sAD The Black Death spread across Europe – apothecaries who bled, purged and prescribed mercury and arsenic had no more success than herbalists in stemming the plague.
1500sAD Henry VIII promoted herbal medicine. Various Acts of Parliament passed to regulate medical practices including protection for ‘simple herbalists’ to practice without fear of prosecution.
1600sAD Society sees the first two-tier health system emerge: herbs for the poor and exotics (plant, animal or mineral extracts) or ‘drugs’ for the rich.Nicholas Culpeper wrote his famous herbal: ‘The English Physician’ simplifying the explanation of the practice of herbal medicine.
1800sAD Herbal medicines started to be overwhelmed by mineral based drug treatments. Powerful drugs such as mercury and laudanum were available over the counter and serious side-effects started to be reported. Rapidly growing pharmaceuticals industry put herbal medicine out of fashion, seeming ‘outdated’.
1900sAD Post World War I saw a massive expansion of the international pharmaceutical industry and the discovery of penicillin. Just a handful of herbalists keep the tradition alive. Pharmacy and Medicines Act 1941 withdrew herbal practitioners’ rights to supply patients with medicines. Public outcry ensures the Act is never enforced
2000AD European legislation advocates that all herbal medicines should be subject to compulsory clinical testing comparable to that undertaken for conventional drugs. Thus all herbal medicines would be licensed. UK government still considering the possible impact and public perception of this legislation.
If your treatment plan includes herbs, this is very important as some drugs-herb combination can have adverse effects.
2. Be sure to wear loose and comfortable clothing!
Loose clothing allows for those trickier acupuncture points to be reached, IE. something that would allow for the sleeves or pant legs to be rolled up.
3. Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and sugars.
If your morning cup of coffee is needed to start your day, feel free to enjoy a cup, but do try to abstain from caffeine as your appointment draws near. The caffeine can make it difficult to get accurate readings on your pulse and tongue, since coffee increases your heart rate and stains your tongue.
4. What you eat before and after treatment can affect how well the treatment works. It’s important that you are not hungry going into treatment, but also not stuffed! The best thing to do is to eat a few hours before heading to your appointment — a full meal isn’t necessary, a snack will give you the energy to fully profit from your treatment. But remember receiving acupuncture on an empty stomach may lead to lightheadedness, dizziness or even fainting.
Acupuncture Questions & Answers
Q. What is acupuncture and its history
Twenty thousand years ago man started to use sharply polished needles, made from stone, to cure pain. Later they used needles made from animal bones. Two thousand years ago people in the north of China developed this into acupuncture. They mapped acupoints, the meridians and completed the theories around these. More recently the location of the acupoints and meridians have been confirmed, using sensitive apparatus measuring electrical resistance.
Q. What problems can be treated with acupuncture?
1. Rheumatic and arthritic conditions. These are the most common conditions for which acupuncture is used. The conditions under this heading include all if the following: tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, all the painful shoulder problems, neck problems, lumbago and other back problems, wrist pain, hip, knee and ankle problems and any other painful condition of muscle, ligaments or other soft tissue disturbances, such as shin splints.
2. Sports injuries: These respond dramatically to acupuncture with needles or laser which will often increase the healing response by 30 to 50%.
3. Neurological disorders: These include trigeminal neuralgia of the face, post herpetic neuralgia (pain during and after shingles), headaches and migraines, occipital neuralgia, sciatica, intercostals neuralgia
4. Paralysis: Bells palsy (facial paralysis) and stroke patients.
5. Allergy problems: hay fever, some asmathics, eczema and other skin problems.
6. Tone ups: Many conditions will improve with a course of acupuncture treatment since this improves function and assists the system to function better. These include fatigue, M.E. syndrome, low resistance with recurrent colds and flu.
7. Miscellaneous conditions: Herpes zoster (shingles), depressions and anxiety, irritable bowel problems, sinusitis.
8. Gynaecological problems: painful periods, PMS, infertility, endometriosis.
9. Cigarette and alcohol addiction, obesity or overweight.
10. Chronic prostatitis
11. Epilepsy
Q. How does acupuncture work?
Acupuncture works through stimulation of the meridians at their external locations via points which are located along them. The stimulation can be accomplished by applying needles, heat, finger or hand pressure, scraping or cupping (suction). The therapeutic effect occurs internally by regulating Qi and stimulating the proper internal functions to which the external meridians and points are connected. It also removes blocks to the flow of energy. If energy is freed then it can flow and heal the person. A great deal of research has been carried out in recent times all of which suggest that a number of mechanisms are probably involved. Whatever the underlying mechanism however the end result appears to be an improvement in function. Any improvement in function means that the system is able to work more effectively than before and can now start the process of healing.
Q. Is there any chance of contracting AIDS?
Acupuncture needles are made from stainless steel. They are sterilized in a sealed package and for single use only. There is no chance of contracting AIDS.
Q. Are the effects of acupuncture symptomatic only?
Acupuncture is not symptomatic. Many conditions are permanently cured while others might need booster treatments for a period of time.
Q. Is acupuncture painful?
Very thin needles are used for acupuncture, insertion of the needle should be painless when performed by a competent acupuncturist. After the needles are inserted the patients usually feel some sensation locally or distant. Traditionally it refers to the energy reaction of the body and is good in producing more results. For some cases the doctor may manipulate needles for one or two times during retaining the needle and before the needles are withdrawn to produce more needling sensations. But if you really do not like this sensation, you can definitely ask your doctor to do a gentle treatment.
Herbal Tips
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS AND HERBAL MEDICINES
A pharmaceutical drug typically uses a synthesized version of a plant’s active ingredient. We maintain that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe, if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. For instance, salicylic acid is found in the plant meadow sweet and is used to make aspirin. Aspirin can cause the lining of the stomach to bleed, but meadow sweet naturally contains other compounds that counteract the irritant qualities of salicylic acid. The effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts
HERBAL MEDICINE:
Herbal medicine has its origins in ancient cultures including those of the Africa, American Indians, Chinese and Egypt . It involves the medicinal use of plants to treat disease and enhance general health and well being.
Some herbs have potent ingredients and should be treated with the same care and respect as pharmaceutical drugs. In fact, many pharmaceutical drugs are based on the synthesized versions of naturally occurring compounds found in plants. For instance, the heart drug digitalis was derived from the herb foxglove.
In recent years, interest in herbal medicine has skyrocketed, leading to a greater scientific interest in plant. Plants are capable of treating diseases tagged incurable and improving health, often without any significant side effects.
HERBS TIPS AND USES
Herbal medicine aims to return the body to a state of natural balance, so that it can start healing itself. Different herbs act on different systems of the body. Some of the herbs that have been scientifically studied, and found to be effective and safe, include:
TURMERIC:
Ease arthritis, a heaping helping of curry could relieve your pain. That's because turmeric, a spice used in curry, contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory that works similarly to Cox-2 inhibitors, drugs that reduce the Cox-2 enzyme that causes the pain and swelling of arthritis. Also Prevent colon cancer and Alzheimer's disease. Curcumin can help shrink precancerous lesions known as colon polyps, when taken with a small amount of quercetin, a powerful antioxidant found in onions, apples, and cabbage. The average number of polyps dropped more than 60% and those that remained shrank by more than 50%. Curcumin also helps clear the brain of the plaques that are characteristic of the disease. For general health, we recommends adding the spice to your cooking whenever possible.
ROSEMARY:
Stop tumors, Rosemary extract helps prevent carcinogens that enter the body from binding with DNA, the first step in tumor formation, according to several studies. To reduce HCAs, we recommends marinating foods in any supermarket spice mix that contains rosemary as well as one or more of the spices thyme, oregano, basil, garlic, onion, or parsley.
GINSENG:
Generally used for debility and weakness, for example during recovery from illness. It can be used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the healing processes of the body.
GARLIC:
Can be used to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering blood fats and cholesterol (a type of blood fat) levels. The antibiotic and antiviral properties of garlic mean that it is also used to fight colds, sinusitis and other respiratory infections. Also lowers cancer risk.
GINGER:
Many studies have shown ginger to be useful in treating nausea, including motion sickness and morning sickness.
GINKGO BILOBA:
Commonly used to treat poor blood circulation and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). Some studies have found ginkgo biloba to be effective in treating neurological disorders, such as memory loss and Alzheimer’s disease.
GINSENG:
Generally used for debility and weakness, for example during recovery from illness. It can be used to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels, however overuse of ginseng has been associated with raised blood pressure. Some studies show that ginseng can also boost immunity, improve mental functioning and speed the healing processes of the body.
HYPERCUM:
Commonly known as St John’s Wort. Hypericum is just as effective as some synthetic antidepressants in treating mild to moderate depression. It is also effective for anxiety and insomnia. Research is currently focusing on hypericum’s antiviral properties and its effect on AIDS.
POKEROOT:
Take the tincture for acute lymphatic congestion and infection in a dose of 20 drops daily.
CLEAVERS:
This herb is a lymphatic cleanser and helps to rid the lymph system of toxins. Use as a tea or full supplement.
CALENDULA:
Used to treat inflamed or congested lymph glands. Drink an infusion of 4 grams dried flower heads in 1 cup boiling water, steeped for 5 minutes 3 times a day.
ECHINACEA:
Boosts the immune system and aids the body in fighting infection. It is used to treat ailments such as boils, fever and herpes. Echinacea is under investigation for its use in treating cancer and AIDS.
CINNAMON:
Lower blood sugar, taking cinnamon extract daily successfully reduced blood sugar by about 10%. Also, cinnamon packs a one-two punch for people with type 2 diabetes by reducing related heart risks. In another study of diabetics, it slashed cholesterol by 13% and triglycerides by 23%. To tame blood sugar, take 1g capsules of standardized cinnamon extract daily. But keep in mind that a large amount of the actual spice can be dangerous, so stick with a water-soluble extract.
FIGWORT:
This cleanser of the lymph system helps heal problems by removing toxins. Take the tea daily, its available for purchase.
HORSETAIL:
This diuretic can help reduce mild cases of edema.
DANDELION:
This natural herbs helps if you’re retaining fluid. Take as a tea or supplement. Available for purchase.
RED ROOT:
–This herb cleanses the lymph glands and nodes to remove waste that may be accumulating. Take as a tincture.
NOTE: Above are tips of herbs and their uses, we have herbal full supplements for wide variety of diseases even those tagged incurable like Parkinson's disease, Lymph disorder, ALS, COPD, Hepatitis b, Alzheimer’s disease, Pulmonary fibrosis, Neurological disorders etc with combination of different natural roots/herbs.
What is Herbal Medicine ?
Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine, in the hands of a skilled and properly qualified practitioner, offers a way in which to regain that wonderful state of well-being. Unlike modern pharmaceuticals, which use synthetic chemicals to alter directly the delicate structure of the body, herbal medicine extracts the whole plant without interfering or changing its constituents; thus retaining the natural balance and maximising healing potential.
What does a Herbalist do?
A Medical Herbalist takes down a full case history, listening to all the physical, mental and emotional symptoms the patient relates in order to evaluate the overall picture and understand the root cause of the patient’s disease.
Practitioners of Herbal Medicine are not only trained in the same non-invasive diagnostic skills as ordinary doctors; but also use the benefits of a holistic viewpoint, traditional knowledge and additional forms of diagnosis such as Tongue, Pulse or Iris diagnosis to elicit the root of the health problem.
Treatment is aimed at restoring true health; not at suppressing the symptoms.
For Whom is Herbal Medicine Suitable?
Because Herbal medicine is concerned with restoring health rather than focusing on symptoms, it can be used for any kind of health problems.
Professional Medical Herbalists are trained to deal with any disease condition for which a person would normally visit his/her GP; from simple coughs, colds, or stomach upsets, to long-term problems such as rheumatism, arthritis, skin disorders, insomnia, asthma, hay fever, menstrual difficulties including conditions diagnosed as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and so forth.
There is no limit to the ways in which a Herbal practitioner can help a patient back to health.
All it takes is a serious commitment to getting well. Organic Herbal Clinic doctors will guide the patient to that effect.
Allergies
Many people today are complaining of different ‘allergies’ which are restricting their lives. We believe that these ‘allergies of modern life’ are the result of mal-absorption and that by addressing the cause and restoring the digestive functions, the patient is able to lead a normal life again.
A Brief History of Herbal Medicine
Herbal Medicine, sometimes referred to as Phytotherapy, Botanotherapy or Botanical Medicine is the use of plants for their medicinal value and has a long and respected history, it is the oldest form of health care known to mankind.
A herb is a plant valued for it medicinal, aromatic or savoury qualities. Herbalists use the leaves, stems, flowers, roots, bark and berries of a vast variety of plants to prevent and treat illness.
Herbalism dates back to the dawn of time when man evolved due to the existence of plants, relying on plant material for food, clothing and shelter as well as medicine. It is impossible to know exactly when we first started using herbs for medicinal purposes but archaeological remains from early civilisations show that plants were used in burials and other rituals. Much of the use of plants appears to have been developed through observing animals and trial and error.
Marshmallow root and yarrow have been found carefully placed around the bones of a Stone Age man in Iraq – these herbs continue to be used widely today. The entire Middle East has a rich history of herbal healing. Texts survive from ancient cultures in Egypt and Mesopotamia. Egyptian hieroglyphs show physicians in the first and second centuries AD treating constipation with senna pods and using caraway and peppermint to relieve digestive problems.
Herbal lore was passed down from generation to generation and gradually information was methodically collected from native peoples and compiled in herbal pharmarcopoeias. One of the first written records of herbal medicines was Chinese, in around 2800BC in the ‘Pen Ts’ao’ by Shen Nung. Later, around 1800BC the records of King Hammurabi of Babylon include instructions for the use of medicinal plants.
Throughout the Middle Ages botanicals were the only medicines available and households would have small herb gardens; also the village herbalist would train an apprentice.
During Tudor times Henry VIII appears to have been touched by the plight of the poor and their inability to afford doctors. He produced his now famous ‘Charter of King Henry VIII’, which enabled many poor people of the time to obtain treatment from a herbalist. The Charter also protected the rights of the Herbalists themselves and provides a safeguard for the continuation of herbal healing today.
By the 17th century knowledge of herbal medicine was widely spread throughout Europe and in 1649 Nicholas Culpeper wrote his famous pharmacopoeia which was one of the first medical manuals intended for the use of the lay person, and is still widely quoted from today. Culpeper studied at Cambridge University to become a doctor; instead he chose to apprentice to an apothecary and eventually set up his own shop, serving the poor of London.
Until the 18th century there was a certain amount of confusion as a plant could be given many names and similarly the same name could be give to many plants. Early in the century a Swedish botanist name Carl von Linné (better known as Linnaeus) developed a naming system giving a unique Latin name to every known species. This classification became very useful to botanists and herbalists alike.
During the 19th century pharmaceuticals started to appear but during the First World War the lack of availability of drugs increased the use of herbal medicines. After the war pharmaceutical production increased and penicillin was discovered. Herbal practitioners had their rights to dispense their medications taken away and then reinstated. By the 1950s people began to express the concern over the large number of side effects and the environmental impact of drugs.
Rather than using a whole plant, pharmacologists identify, isolate, extract and synthesize individual components, thus capturing the active properties. However, this can create problems. In addition to active constituents, plants contain many other substances – minerals, vitamins, volatile oils, glycosides, alkaloids etc, which are important in supporting a particular herb’s medicinal properties. These elements also provide an important natural safeguard as isolated active compounds can become toxic in relatively small doses; it usually takes a much greater amount of a whole herb, with all of its components to reach a toxic level. Thus herbalists consider that the power of a plant lies in the interaction of all its ingredients.
Timeline
2800BC First written record of herbal medicines by Shen Nung in China – the ‘Pen Ts’ao’
c400BC Hippocrates developed principles of happiness, diet and exercise. The first Greek herbal was written.
c100BC First illustrated Greek Herbal written.
c50AD The Roman Empire spreads herbal medicine and plant commerce.
c200AD Herbalist, Galen created a classification system for illnesses and remedies.
c500AD Physicians of Myddfai practiced Hippocrates’ principles
c800AD Monks pioneered herbal medicine with infirmaries and physic gardens at every monastery.
1100sAD Physician Avicenna wrote the Canon of Medicine. The Arab world was a major influence on medicine and healing.
1200sAD The Black Death spread across Europe – apothecaries who bled, purged and prescribed mercury and arsenic had no more success than herbalists in stemming the plague.
1500sAD Henry VIII promoted herbal medicine. Various Acts of Parliament passed to regulate medical practices including protection for ‘simple herbalists’ to practice without fear of prosecution.
1600sAD Society sees the first two-tier health system emerge: herbs for the poor and exotics (plant, animal or mineral extracts) or ‘drugs’ for the rich.Nicholas Culpeper wrote his famous herbal: ‘The English Physician’ simplifying the explanation of the practice of herbal medicine.
1800sAD Herbal medicines started to be overwhelmed by mineral based drug treatments. Powerful drugs such as mercury and laudanum were available over the counter and serious side-effects started to be reported. Rapidly growing pharmaceuticals industry put herbal medicine out of fashion, seeming ‘outdated’.
1900sAD Post World War I saw a massive expansion of the international pharmaceutical industry and the discovery of penicillin. Just a handful of herbalists keep the tradition alive. Pharmacy and Medicines Act 1941 withdrew herbal practitioners’ rights to supply patients with medicines. Public outcry ensures the Act is never enforced
2000AD European legislation advocates that all herbal medicines should be subject to compulsory clinical testing comparable to that undertaken for conventional drugs. Thus all herbal medicines would be licensed. UK government still considering the possible impact and public perception of this legislation.