Herbal medicine - a type of alternative medicine is used to treat diseases of medicinal plants. They can be used in various forms - for example, there is fresh, to brew tea, herbs to prepare, and so on. Herbs were human medicine for many centuries, but now a lot of people who trust the official medicine, wary of medicinal herbs.

However, to use the methods of herbal medicine - does not mean to abandon the achievements of official medicine. Most of the drugs that are prescribed by doctors today have roots in the world of plants. For example, one of the earliest forms of the drug Taxol used in chemotherapy Chemotherapy - it always falls the hair?   patients with breast cancer Breast cancer: what every woman needs to know It was obtained in 1960 from the chemicals found in the Pacific yew. Today pharmaceutical companies change the chemical structure of the components of drugs, to enhance their action, but many of them have all been derived from the same plant.

One of the major advantages of herbal medicine is that it is available to people around the world - you just know the properties of the plants that grow in a particular region. Moreover, unlike many drugs, plants can be used not only to treat but also to prevent diseases.

Adaptogenic effect

You probably have seen as a thin green stem grows through the layer of asphalt or cement, or like a tree growing on a rocky slope, where, it seems, there is no fertile soil or water? It is no secret that the plants are good at adapting to different conditions, and that their property has been successfully used in herbal medicine: the treatment of herbs the body gets what it needs - and only what you need.

Instead of being misled by large doses of drug (at the time - that is alleviated symptoms of many diseases), body cells interact with the molecules of active substances in plants. Able to adapt plants give only what is necessary to a person with specific disease. This is called adaptogenic effect, which is not yet able to give no medicine, made from synthetic materials.

Potent drugs often simply suppress physiological processes, one way or another associated with the disease (of course, in practice it is much more difficult, and it is - a simplified explanation), and bilateral cooperation with the body almost - or at all - is missing.

With the phytotherapy is different. Remember how you water houseplants. If water them always at regular intervals and the same volume of water, one would be that the plant suffers from a deficiency or excess of moisture. Pouring it is necessary to consider the temperature of the air, light, and other factors, according to which the plant is greater than or less than the drinking water. Plants, like the cells of the body - are living beings whose needs are constantly changing. Moreover, if it enters into a new environment - including the body, the components of the plant are able to take into account the peculiarities of the environment, and to adapt to its needs. They "listen" and "watch" for the cells of the body and give it what is necessary. Of course, plants have no such a strong effect as pharmaceutical drugs, but they are much safer - if you use them correctly.

Rule safe use of herbal medicine

• Be patient. It may take some time before the result of medicinal herbs on the body become visible. They usually can not quickly alleviate the symptoms (such as many analgesics); on the contrary, herbs slowly restore the balance of chemicals in the body, have beneficial effects on metabolic processes, and so on.
• Consider the features of the organism. Approximately 30-40% of people the liver processes drugs active substances faster or slower than average. For people who have such a feature, drugs are stronger or weaker than the others. If you belong to these people, it is necessary to adjust the dose of medicinal herbs; To do this properly, it is best to consult a specialist on herbal medicine.
• Treat treated responsibly. What herbs are considered safer than synthetic drugs, does not mean that they can be administered in any dose, and as often as they like. Also, if you have any serious health problems before taking herbs, talk to your doctor.
• Monitor your condition. If you suspect an allergic reaction Allergic reactions: how to understand why you tickle in the throat   discontinue use of medicinal plants and, if symptoms of allergy Allergy symptoms: Survival Guide Spring   It will not work for two days, consult a doctor. If your condition during treatment with herbs is much improved, it should be examined - this will make sure that the disease has receded. The same must be done if the herbal medicine has not given the results - you may choose the wrong treatment, or you initially put the wrong diagnosis.
• Be aware of drug interactions. Herbs can also react with other medications, as well as alcoholic beverages. Consult an expert on herbal medicine, to know which herbs can be taken in combination with medicines that you are taking at the moment.

Carried away phytotherapy Phytotherapy and menopause - without the side effects We all unwittingly make mistakes that can damage our health. Here are the ten most common mistakes herbal medicine.

Tea with chamomile

You drink chamomile tea, not knowing how and what medicines it interacts. Although most people think of chamomile tea completely harmless and even beneficial, it can have some serious side effects when combined with certain medications.

Thus, the description was published seventy years history of a woman who at the time of warfarin treatment was taken to hospital with internal bleeding after consumption of tea with chamomile and use lotions for the body to treat colds.

When should I go to the doctor

Chronic fatigue lasting forces us to turn to herbal and other natural remedies to recover lost energy. Constant tiredness, fatigue or lack of energy talking about what you need to visit the clinic, not the herbal pharmacy.

Although diet and nutritional supplements may provide temporary relief, above all, make sure that fatigue is not a symptom of a hidden disease, such as:

• Anemia
• Astmy
• Sleep disorders Dreams: how to understand our dreams Such as obstructive sleep apnea
• Hypothyroidism
• Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
• Depression

Fatigue can also be a symptom of other diseases such as infectious diseases (particularly mononucleosis), congestive heart failure, diabetes, liver disease or kidney disease Addison disease, autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), cancer, malnutrition, and may also occur as a a side effect of treatment.

Council:   first consult your doctor. He will ask you questions, identify appropriate tests to eliminate the possibility of these diseases. Then you can think about the natural means of treatment.

Incorrect combination of drugs and herbal remedies

You are taking herbal medicines, food additives and / or drugs, the combination of which may increase the likelihood of bleeding. Anticoagulants (drugs which reduce blood coagulation), e.g., aspirin and warfarin prevent the formation of blood clots in the arteries, which reduces the risk of stroke and heart attack. The combination of herbs and dietary supplements Food additives - basic classification Having the same anticoagulant effect, they increase the risk of bleeding:

• Aloe vera
• Gang bang
• Coenzyme q10
• Salvia
• Feverfew
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Gingko
• Ginseng
• Saw palmetto
• Field buttercup
• Drug angelica
• Fish fat
• Willow bark

Council:   if you are taking more than one of these herbal remedies or taking them in combination with warfarin, aspirin or other anticoagulants, or if you do self-treatment, consult a qualified physician practicing holistic approach. Be sure to tell him about all Phytopreparations supplements you are taking. Blood tests to determine the prothrombin time (PT / INR) is often prescribed to determine the degree of blood clotting.

Tea instead of coffee is not always helpful

Instead of coffee and soda you drink a lot of tea mate and energy drinks. Paraguayan tea (mate tea) - extremely popular drink, especially in big cities. In Central and South America, where the mate is often replaced by water, consider that this drink is more beneficial to health than coffee, because it is herbal tea, which gives energy boost without causing excessive nervousness. However, consumption of tea Paraguayan doctors often associated with the development of gastric cancer and esophageal cancer, lung cancer and bladder (this connection confirmed the results of several studies). Although studies have shown that mate is harmful only in large quantities (over 1 liter daily) or very hot, they should not get involved until it received further confirmation or refutation of the theory.

Energy drinks, for example, Red Bull, Monster, Full Throttle, contain caffeine, as well as a number of vitamins and herbs. Unfortunately, little is known about the medicine what action have all these ingredients together. Many of the ingredients interact with caffeine, repeatedly reinforcing its stimulating effect. Most energy drinks contain a large amount of glucose Glucose: The energy source And not very different from the usual sugary carbonated water.

Council:   if you want to find useful replacement energy drinks, try water with pomegranate or cranberry juice.

Immunity and herbal medicine

You take herbal medicines that strengthen the immune system, such as echinacea and goldenseal Canadian, in combination with immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids. Drugs that suppress the immune system, designed to prevent rejection after organ transplantation and control the symptoms of autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus and type 1 diabetes). Herbal preparations to stimulate the immune system, neutralize the action of these drugs, which can lead to rejection of the transplanted organ, an aggravation of an existing autoimmune disease in people genetically predisposed to such diseases.

Council:   taking immunosuppressive drugs for a time give up the consumption of herbal remedies such as alfalfa, astragalus, echinacea, ginseng, licorice root, or the mineral zinc.