The Philosophy of Herbalism

Herbalists, or practitioners of herbal medicine, believe in the use of herbal medicines to treat common medical complaints. This is not to say that herbalists do not use, or believe in the use of, conventional pharmaceutical medications. Many herbalists simply think that the use of pharmaceuticals should be limited to emergency situations.

So the question remains, why do herbalists believe in the use of herbs to treat everyday problems and illnesses? Many herbal medicines are thought to actually help the person not only defeat the symptoms of a cold or other medical problem, but to actually help build a resistance to the illnesses. Herbs can do this because they provide natural and nutritional benefits to the person as opposed to introducing foreign chemicals to the person’s body. Herbs can also boost the human immune system, which in turn helps the person build resistance to disease.

How Far are Herbs from Pharmaceuticals?

The thought of using herbal medicines to treat colds, headaches, and even chronic illnesses can send the average person into a state of shock. The fact is that most people in Western countries think of herbs as the medicines of barbaric medieval surgeons and tribal “witch” doctors. But while this was and is certainly true, most of these people would be shocked to discover that many of the pharmaceuticals commonly used in Western medicine are derived from these same “barbaric” herbs.

Western medicine frequently uses herbs like digitalis and even opium to treat many of the medical complaints and illnesses of the average, modern person. Digitalis is actually a plant from the Scrophulariaceae biological family and is closely related to the common English foxglove plant. Opium is used to create many pain medications commonly prescribed for hospital patients; it is created from seed pods of the opium poppy.

Create A Natural Remedy Using Honey

The healing properties of honey are numerous. It is the mystery behind many natural remedies. Having many medicinal applications for common conditions. From burns to fending off viral colds or flue. Honey is an antibiotic. But also has excellent anti viral and anti fungal qualities. Why not try some of them out? Here’s simple recipes, tips and tricks, to get you started!

Which Honey?

Like a lot a things. You get out what you put in. Raw and organic honey is definitely the best option. It will taste better than most mass produced brands. Plus, has much more nutrients.
Three Honey Cold Remedy Recipes
1) This is great for fighting a cold, and also for calming the stomach. Warm through a cup of raw honey. Until it becomes liquefied. Mince and peel equivalent to 2tbs of ginger. Chop a quarter cup of lemon balm. Add both to the honey and keep it simmering for twenty minutes. Pour into a glass container and tightly seal the cap.
2) Feeling blocked up? Congested? For every cup of raw honey. Blend in a quarter cup of fresh lavender or mint. Hyssop and Thyme. Even Rosemary, sage and Rosehip will do the trick. You can use dried herbs too. Just reduce the amount to one eighth cup.
3) The Ultimate cold or flu remedy. A good idea to keep it at hand over the winter months. A simple garlic and honey remedy. So simple to make. Just fill a container with cloves of garlic. Pour over the raw honey. It will need to be left to infuse. At least a few days, before use.
Honey Remedies and Storage
A cool dry cabinet is Okay. The refrigerator is better. Make sure you make a note of the date it was made. So you can keep track of things.

How Much To Take
If you are feeling under the weather, just one teaspoon. Three or four times a day. If it’s a case of the flu. Some people like to use their honey mixtures with apple cider vinegar. Or water. To make infusions. The brave will also add a spot of cayenne pepper. Renowned for it’s great healing advantages. Remember! Honey must not be given to young children, under one years of age. They love it. But the risk of botulism is high.

Natures Helping Hand
Is there a more natural way? Than using herbal remedies. To fight our ailments and discomforts. Another important thing to understand? Honey is loaded with sugar. Natural or no. So no doubling up quantities! The most fundamental important thing, to using these natural honey remedies, is this. Get the honey from a local source. It will give the best results and you’ll be on your way to Wellville. In no time at all!

Alternative Medicine Schools

If you are interested in learning all there is to know about alternative medicine, you should check into attending an alternative medicine school. Also called holistic health schools, these learning centers offer courses and degrees in many of the subjects those who are into natural healing will appreciate.

Alternative medicine schools can be an option for the young person who wants a career in medicine, but is not too keen on the idea of spending so many years of his life earning a degree. They are ideal for someone who is already involved in the conventional medical field and would like to branch out. And, they are a fine choice or anyone who is just interested in learning about one or more of the branches of alternative medicine.

No matter where you live, there is an alternative medicine school of one kind or another not too far away. Using the Internet, it is easy to research the many different schools. You will find comprehensive lists of the schools and their courses, laid out in such a way as to be simple for you to find the type course you are looking for.

What kinds of courses are available at alternative medicine schools? Some of the most popular include –

• Massage Therapy
• Chinese Traditional Medicine
• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Nutrition
• Chiropractic
• Herbal

It is certainly possible to have a career based on what you learn at alternative medicine schools. In fact, alternative medicine careers are among the fastest growing careers in the nation. This is because more and more people are beginning to realize that conventional medicine is not for them. They want to get back to nature and away from the side effects of the prescription drugs that allopathic doctors hand out so freely.

You could feel very proud of yourself for going to an alternative medicine school! Once you earn a diploma or are certified in whatever discipline you choose, think of how you could help others. There will be a real need for your services as a natural nutritionist, massage therapist, or chiropractor. People will be eager to for you to instruct them on what herbal remedy would be useful for whatever complaint they might have if by chance you study homeopathy. Taking a course in Chinese Traditional Medicine would make you quite popular, as requests for your services would climb once people discovered how much you could help them.

If the alternative medicine school you are attending is an accredited institution, you can get help in paying your tuition. Attending any accredited school makes you eligible for Federal tuition aid from your state and from the government. You can receive grants, loans, and participate in work study programs just like at any other college.

Look into alternative medicine schools if you want a satisfying career!

Herbal Medicine – Advantages Of Natural Healing

Herbal medicine - advantages and natural healing are two areas of the health care field that have caught on like wildfire over the past several years. With over 80% of the world’s population using herbs as one aspect of their primary care, it is no wonder that alternative medical techniques are gaining so much popularity. But are herbal remedies and alternative medicine techniques based on hype or are they the real deal?

Hype or fact – a closer look at herbal medicines

There are numerous herbal medicine - advantages and some obvious disadvantages such as the fact that herbs should not be used for long term care and you still need to talk to your health care provider about interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, correct dosage amounts and various other concerns. There is no doubt given the definition of the word drug, which is any substance that has a physiological effect on the body, that herbal remedies do have some effect on the body. The amount of effectiveness and the safeness of the herbal formulation is what is under scrutiny. Numerous useful drugs have been derived from plant sources but so have alkaloid and other deadly poisons. However, if you really want a more natural approach to health care, here are just a few of the reasons why herbal medicine is so popular. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages include the fact that they are cost effective and convenient. Herbal medicines are generally less expensive than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Herbs have an absence of serious side effects when compared to pharmaceuticals, they are widely available and simple to prepare. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages such as these make the difference. Finally when it comes to our bodies, pharmaceuticals introduce completely new molecules which can lead to problems. The effects of numerous herbal medicines have been proven through research and when you consider the fact that many of our pharmaceutical drugs have key ingredients that come from herbs in the first place, it is easier to understand that herbal medicines are more than just hype.

Is herbal medicine right for you?

Even though herbal medicine is gaining popularity today it may not be the right choice for you. The first step in making this decision is to talk to your health care provider. They know your medical history and can advise you on the best solutions. Many traditional health care providers use both alternative and traditional treatments because the role that traditional medicine typically plays is being changed as more people look for a natural approach to healing. Because so many health care providers are willing to use traditional and alternative methods it is easier than ever for people who want to use the herbal medicine – advantages as well as traditional prescription drugs to get sound advice from their medical care provider.

What is Alternative Medicine?

Alternative medicine is becoming a popular choice for health-conscious individuals, yet many of them are unsure just exactly what the term encompasses. Many of them have even asked their doctors, “What is alternative medicine?”, yet they get no clear answer.

Basically, alternative medicine is any sort of therapy or treatment that is used instead of the type of medical attention most of us grew up with. You know the routine… you feel unwell, make an appointment with your doctor, and go to his office. You sit in the waiting area with a group of other sick people, hoping that none of them are too contagious. Finally, you are called back to see the doctor. You leave with a prescription or two, stop at the drugstore to get your prescriptions filled, and go home to bed. In a few days, you may or may not feel halfway human again.

Would you like to know what alternative medicine is? Think of alternative medicine as a tree trunk with many branches. The branches are the different practices that together as a whole make up alternative medicine. You have a wide variety to choose from, based on the symptoms of your illness. What is alternative medicine used for? It’s not only for when you are ill, but when you want to improve your health

What is alternative medicine also known as in the natural medicine world? A few of the most used and recommended branches of alternative medicine include –

• Acupuncture
• Homeopathy
• Herbal Medicine
• Naturopathy
• Chiropractic

Acupuncture uses fine needles to regulate the energy of the body into a more cohesive pattern, and is used for many types of sicknesses and well-being issues.

Homeopathy works under the assumption that the body can be cured of anything that is wrong with it by using just a tiny amount of material from nature, such as herbs or flowers, that would create symptoms of an illness in man or beast. By doing this, the body rallies, and begins to heal itself.

Herbal medicine is the use of any part of a plant, from its roots to its leaves, as an aid to relieving sicknesses and pain, as well as promoting feelings of calm and well-being.

Naturopathy does merely treat routine illnesses. People who have embraced naturopathy as a form of alternative medicine believe that the body is able to heal itself, and that nature can play a huge role in a person’s overall health.

Chiropractic does not heal. By adjusting the spine, a chiropractor clears the nerve pathways in the body, allowing the body to make itself well.

What is alternative medicine? It’s a way of life for many people, and its natural remedies continue to draw seekers from all walks of life.