Traditional medicine and its secrets occupy the minds of many people today. Now it is almost impossible to find at least one completely healthy person, while never suffering from colds, viruses, headaches or allergic reactions.
To treat all these diseases, modern pharmacists have invented a huge variety of drugs that allow you to instantly solve the problem, but at the same time creating others that can be much more complex.
The reason for this lies in the fact that any drug or drug has a chemical composition designed to save a person from a particular virus or pain, but cannot be simultaneously calculated not to harm the stomach or other vital organs of a person.
But many of these simple diseases can be cured at first, it may not seem so high, but you can have complete confidence that preparations and infusions from natural plants will not cause any harm to your body.
All recipes and secrets of treatment with medicinal herbs and plants have been collected and kept for centuries, passed down from generation to generation. There is also no doubt that over such a long history they have been repeatedly tested in experience and proved their right to exist.
When treating with traditional medicine, of course, one should not count on miracles and believe that the effect of herbs, for example, with a virus or tonsillitis, will be as fast as that of antibiotics. Of course, this is not the case, and you will only feel the real effect on the second or third day, and not after taking the first pill, so be sure to study the reviews on the treatment of venous insufficiency before starting herbal treatment, and if you have a toothache, immediately go to dentistry.
But you will know for sure that your gastrointestinal tract will not suffer in the process of herbal treatment. Antibiotics, in turn, can have an extremely negative effect on your body and cause much more harm than the virus itself would cause you.
But the most contentious issue, one that never dies down in medical circles, is unconventional treatments for severe and deadly diseases such as cancer.
All these disputes usually lead to the conclusion that traditional medicine treatment is an absolute evil, because it gives a person false hopes and does not allow him to turn to doctors in time or agree to surgery when it is still possible. But this conclusion is not entirely correct. When such complex diseases are identified, people try to find at least some hope, grasping at every straw.
And then traditional medicine can actually become that very straw, often being essentially just a placebo. But the true cure is given to a person by his very belief in a positive result. This treatment, of course, does not exclude the parallel appeal to doctors and the use of traditional medicine to get rid of the disease.
Health is something that is imperceptible when it is present, but very tangible when it is not. Alas, even strong and healthy people sometimes feel unwell, and according to statistics, there are not so many healthy people. So more often or less often, but each of us has to resort to drugs. The problem of pharmacological drugs is that they not only have a therapeutic effect, but often have side effects, moreover, not pleasant, if not harmful. In contrast, natural therapy - herbal medicine or herbal medicine is based on herbs, it is no less effective, but completely safe. Our distant ancestors were treated with herbs, they were used by representatives of the older generation, so why not take advantage of the experience of our predecessors, multiplying it with modern knowledge?
Plants have found unusually wide application in the treatment of various ailments. Seeds and leaves, stems and roots, flowers - in a word, everything that the plant world consists of is used in the preparation of various infusions, decoctions, pomace, powders and similar substances.
No one knows the exact date of the appearance of herbal medicine or herbal treatment. This secret is carefully guarded by time. The first written mention of herbal treatment dates back to 2800 BC. A Chinese treatise called Pen Ts'ao by Shen Nung talked about therapy using plants. Since then, phytotherapy has become more and more popular from year to year. The field of application of plants expanded, people discovered more and more new healing properties.
Starting from 400 BC, herbal medicine became one of the leading branches of medicine in Ancient Greece. Treatment was associated less and less with magic and more and more with the preparation and use of various herbal preparations. Greek healers were respected people, they were put on the same rank as philosophers and orators. Somewhat later, in 50 BC, the Roman Empire not only actively seized and subjugated territories, but also spread its rules everywhere, including medicine.
Since 1100, the entire Arab world has become a powerful center of medicine. Science was actively developing there, the key direction of which was precisely phytotherapy.
In Russia, the first mention of treatment with herbs and medicines based on them date back only to the 12th century. But since then, roots, flowers and other plant materials have been continuously used to heal various ailments. And I must say that it is quite successful. Modern physicians and scientists not only do not discard the importance of herbal therapies, they consider this treatment to be no less effective than the traditional one.
Basic rules of herbal medicine
For all its safety and naturalness, herbal treatment requires compliance with certain rules. This is its effectiveness and the almost complete absence of side effects, especially harmful ones.
The basic principles of herbal medicine can be formulated as follows:
- individuality
- monotherapy and multicomponent
- staging and adequacy
- the principle of complexity
In order to better understand what it is about, it is advisable to deal with each item in more detail.
The principle of individuality implies a simple rule: treat the person, not the disease. Pharmacy phyto-collections "From pressure" or are not equally suitable for everyone. What is effective for one person may be completely useless for another. There are many reasons for this: a different cause of the disease with similar symptoms, intolerance or insensitivity to one of the components of the herbal tea, and so on. Medicinal, herbal remedies need to be selected and assembled on an individual basis.
phytotherapy - treatment with herbs, flowers, berries and other gifts of nature
If you try to treat with herbs only the symptoms, but not the root cause of the disease, the effect will be, at best, small, but it is more likely that the therapy will not bring results at all. For example, an allergic cough will not decrease after a course of taking the “Cough Cough” phytocollection, the same can be said about trying to get rid of allergic manifestations similar to dermatitis, colds and other symptoms. Therefore, first you need to determine the cause of the disease, then, taking into account all the individual characteristics of a person and taking into account the previous treatment, select a phytocomplex for him.
Monotherapy and multicomponent are important factors that ensure the effectiveness of treatment. The point is that an integrated approach to treatment is always the most effective. Combining different plant components, you can enhance the effect of each of them. Herbal medicines should be combined with each other and be complementary. Sometimes herbal medicine is an auxiliary remedy, but it can also be the only way to get rid of the disease. If herbal preparations complement pharmacological therapy, then their compatibility with pharmacy products should be asked from the doctor who prescribed the treatment.
Stages and adequacy of treatment implies the right approach to herbal medicine. At the initial stages of treatment, herbal teas may include no more than 4-6 components, they will be the only therapeutic agent. As the disease progresses, if the remedies taken have not worked, the method of treatment must be changed. Perhaps you need to add new components to the collection or change its composition. At the stage of exacerbation, pharmacological therapy is often required, or even surgery. In such situations, phytotherapy recedes into the background and is an auxiliary means of treatment.
It is worth knowing that herbal treatment should be continuous. It does not give such a bright and quick effect, such as taking antibiotics or other potent drugs. But, this does not mean that natural herbal remedies are not effective or will not bring results.
The principle of complexity- the most important aspect of phytotherapy. For all their effectiveness, herbs are not a panacea for any disease. Herbal treatment, unfortunately, does not have unlimited possibilities, contrary to the claims of various healers. It is necessary to be sensible about herbal therapy and look for alternatives in time if it is not effective. It doesn't have to be pharmaceuticals. , medical, auto-training and other techniques sometimes have no less effect than pills and injections. Spa treatment and recovery is often also based on natural healing techniques. Mineral water or mud, as well as a calm environment, contribute to the healing of the human body.
Fields of application of phytotherapy
Natural raw materials from herbs have found many uses. Herbal medicine can help, if not in all, then in many cases. Its main areas of application are as follows:
- cardiology
- pulmonology
- gastroenterology
- endocrinology
- urology and gynecology
- oncology
- pediatrics
For the treatment of heart disease, mistletoe, grape juice, mordovnik, are recommended. All of them improve blood circulation. In heart failure, lily of the valley is used, this is due to the fact that it contains a lot of cardiac glycosides. The foxglove also performed well.
Herbal medicine for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract should be very careful. The most important thing here is not to harm or aggravate the patient's condition. Flax, mint, lemon balm, tansy, anise, and other plants have a positive effect when used skillfully. Alder and blueberries have fixing properties, while, on the contrary, buckthorn and rhubarb weaken.
The girl is treated with a decoction of herbs
Problems with the genitourinary system - pyelonephritis, cystitis, as well as urolithiasis are treated with diuretics - birch, elderberry, and couch grass. and plantain have an anti-inflammatory effect, eucalyptus and are excellent antiseptics, and sea buckthorn and pine help recovery.
Diseases of the endocrinological sphere are associated with metabolism. Get rid of them through herbal medicines alone, most likely, will not work. And yet, phytotherapy gives its positive effect. For example, in type 1 diabetes, it is recommended to take eleutherococcus and ergocephalus, as well as radiola rosea. Patients with type 2 diabetes will benefit from beans and alfalfa, lettuce and celery, and almonds.
Oncological diseases, unfortunately, cannot be treated with herbs alone. Here herbal medicine, as in the case of endocrinology, acts as an auxiliary tool. , lemon balm and mint help to remove nausea, and chamomile has an antibacterial effect.
Phytotherapy for children
The use of herbs and preparations based on them for the treatment of childhood diseases is possible, but this requires caution and prior consultation with a pediatrician. Only the most mild-acting plants, like mint, and a string, are used. From the age of 2, a child can be given infusions. Baths with herbs will be useful from birth. They help relieve skin inflammation and allergic manifestations, and also soothe the baby. Herbal drops and ointments can be used from the age of 5, but only after you consult a pediatrician.
Indications for the use of herbal medicine
Comparing herbal medicine and traditional, pharmacological treatment is not advisable. They have slightly different areas of application, although quite often they are successfully combined, helping a person recover as soon as possible.
Herbal treatment effectively helps to strengthen the immune system, cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. The main indications for the use of medicinal herbs are
- diseases associated with nervous tension
- insomnia
- apathy, lethargy, depression, loss of strength
- frequent colds
- rheumatism
- gynecological diseases
- diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Herbal medicine is very beneficial for the elderly as their immune system can be easily destroyed by the side effects of synthetic drugs.
Pregnant women are prescribed herbal medicine, since these remedies have a milder effect on the body.
Medicinal plants are widely used in cosmetics. Fresh decoctions and infusions or ready-made extracts, essential oils are used, which are added to various cosmetic products for skin care.
Phytotherapy: contraindications and side effects
Contraindications and side effects from herbal treatment depend on many factors: the state of human health, the characteristics of his body, as well as what herbal raw materials, in what proportions and dosages are used. It should also take into account the possible intolerance of individual components of phytotherapeutic agents.
Herbs are just as potent as potions or pills, so the side effects from them can be quite serious. As such, there are no contraindications for herbal medicine, but still, it is better to abandon this method of treatment in the following situations:
- multiple organ failure
- child under 2 years of age
- acute pancreatitis
- condition requiring urgent surgery
Particular care requires the use of herbs and medicines from them for the treatment of pregnant women. Some of the substances may adversely affect the child, in addition, the body of the expectant mother may well respond to treatment in an unpredictable way.
Elements of herbal medicine: flowers, herbs, plant leaves, oils and tinctures
Like any method of treatment, herbal medicine has its own characteristics, one might even say, difficulties. We are talking about the impossibility of accurately calculating the dosage, as well as the lack of a quick and clearly visible effect of therapy. To have a result, you need to use not 1-2, but a whole complex of different herbs, which also complicates the treatment.
A very important factor is the correct harvesting of plants and the conditions for their collection. The place where the phytocomponents were collected is of great importance.Download books on herbal medicine
Conclusion
To date, traditional medicine does not consider phytotherapy a full-fledged method of treatment. However, doctors recognize the effectiveness of herbal preparations and recommend them as an additional remedy.
It is important to understand that real, effective herbal medicine is a complex of knowledge and methods for creating and using herbal remedies, and not some “grandmother's recipes” or independent attempts to take herbs.
Herbal preparations successfully cope with the role of diuretics and sedatives, expectorants and relieve nausea or stomach cramps. True, they cannot replace antibiotics, hormonal agents or antiviral drugs, nor can they become an alternative to surgical intervention. But herbal remedies perfectly accelerate postoperative healing and help to recover.
Phytotherapy is not an alternative to traditional medicine, but an independent method of treatment, which is often combined with pharmacological preparations to achieve the greatest effect.
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6 615Herbal treatment. Is it always safe? Of course not. There are medicinal herbs that, if used uncontrollably, can be unsafe for human health. Even those herbs that in the past helped a person to heal, now turn out to be harmful.
Here is a partial list of herbs that are considered unsafe to use on a limited basis. Be sure to read carefully.
1. Tansy
It was once used to treat the respiratory tract. Tansy has been found to be a potential abortifacient, causing miscarriage in some cases. However, it is safe when used in insect control. If you have such a problem - fill the flowers and leaves of tansy with alcohol and insist for a week, then strain, add water, doubling the volume. Spray around the house, inside and out.
2.Arnica
Arnica is a potentially fatal herb if taken internally. However, it is a very useful herb when applied topically to the muscles and to relieve aches and pains in the joints.
3. Aconite
This dangerous plant was once used to treat diseases. But scientists have even recognized it as lethal when taken internally. Of course, even now some healers use this plant to treat ailments, but in strictly defined doses.
4. Digitalis
Digitalis does contain compounds that can help with heart rate regulation. However, treatment should only be carried out by a qualified healthcare professional. Even a small mistake in doses can lead to death. It is safer to use hawthorn as it regulates the heart rate and can be used by anyone without side effects.
5. Sassafras
Due to its high content of safrole, a potential carcinogen, sassafras oil has been taken off the shelves of many pharmacies. In Europe and America. The root of the bark, used most often in cough preparations, is the most effective in this mixture.
6. Sorrel, sorrel and rhubarb leaves
All of these plants contain oxalic acid in varying amounts. Rhubarb leaves should not be used, but the stem is a tasty treat. Sorrel and sorrel should not be used raw or in large quantities.
7.Tees
Previously used for coughs and colds. The yew contains enough poison to be fatal to a small dog. Do not use in any way
8. Mountain laurel, rhododendron, azalea
These plants contain toxins. Even honey from any of these evergreen shrubs is poisonous.
9. Cotton
Cotton seeds are extremely toxic. Luckily, the toxins are removed during the cotton processing process, so jeans and sheets are safe to use.
10. Elderberry
Elderberry is used most often in cold and flu syrups. It has powerful antioxidants that help fight disease. However, fresh berries should definitely be boiled, frozen or dried, as they contain a toxin that is destroyed during processing.
11. Datura
In small quantities, Datura seeds cause hallucinations. Too much of them can lead to convulsions and death. Much depends on body weight and it is difficult to calculate the right amount. It is best to avoid this plant.
12. Mint
Often used in herbal infusions for pest control. But if taken uncontrollably inside, it can lead to miscarriages. Even essential oils can be dangerous for pregnant women. They should be avoided completely.
13. Castor oil
Castor oil is produced from these beans and is used for hair and skin. During its production, the deadly toxin ricin is removed. Castor seeds are sold and help to successfully get rid of moles. However, if accidentally swallowed, they pose a serious danger.
Note
When treating with herbs, common sense should always be present. It is known that even poison in a certain dose can serve as a medicine. When trying herbal treatments, especially if you haven't used them before, use in small amounts. Make sure your body reacts to them normally.
Hello everyone!
Recently, I very often have to deal with information that everything can be cured with drugs.
That they are much more effective than pills, and that modern medicine does not understand anything about this.
That you need to seek salvation from various diseases in the recipes of traditional healers, in old books on traditional medicine, where herbs are one of the main components of any remedy.
Many really believe that herbal treatment is simple and very beneficial.
I do not quite agree with such a philistine statement and therefore I decided to write this post on how to be treated with herbs correctly and safely.
From this article you will learn:
How to be treated with herbs correctly and safely - the secrets of herbal medicine
I graduated from the Medical University, Faculty of Pharmacy.
And one of the most important and complex subjects that we studied on the course was pharmacognosy, the science of medicinal plants.
We studied this subject for five years, and it was more difficult to pass an exam in it or get a credit than in any chemistry or pharmacology.
How we taught these herbs, only those who studied there know.
We not only memorized the names of plants and their area of application, but also worked with a microscope, did chemical reactions, determining the chemical composition of raw materials and its structure, examined the roots and leaves in a section, sketched, memorized and crammed all this.
In the spring, we went to harvest medicinal raw materials, analyzed them using modern research methods and, of course, studied its full application.
I still remember a huge table filled with Petri dishes with dry medicinal raw materials, sometimes whole, sometimes crushed.
From this abundance, you had to choose what they would call you and prove that it was exactly that collection or that plant, by physical and chemical means.
Therefore, I can with great confidence refute the false statement that medicinal plants are the lot of knowledge of herbal grandmothers or traditional healers. Official medicine knows no less, and even more about how to treat them and how to do it right.
It’s even hard for me to imagine how many newest studies are carried out annually for medicinal plants, this science never stands still.
In the conditions of modern ecology, plants change their composition, which means that their scope may change or new contraindications may appear, and the latest technologies make it possible to discover new medicinal properties of known or unfamiliar plants.
Therefore, you should not rely so much on old folk healers, but it is best to buy a modern reference book of medicinal plants, which will indicate their chemical composition, medicinal properties and methods of application, as well as contraindications, and be sure to use them correctly.
Herbal treatment - important rules and tips
To begin with, I would like to voice several features of herbal treatment that few people pay attention to:
- Well, firstly, I immediately want to say that medicinal herbs do not work miracles, and it is impossible to cure all existing diseases with them!
If you hear somewhere a story about how a person completely cured himself of cancer in the fourth stage with an infusion of oats or chamomile flowers, consider that a miracle of healing simply happened to him, for the most part, thanks to his faith in himself, in God, in life, into this medicinal plant, or maybe he did something else that you don't know about.
Try herbal remedies for muscular dystrophy, ALS, multiple sclerosis, meningitis...
- Herbal medicine is not as safe as many people think it is.
Medicinal raw materials can cause severe allergies, poisoning, start pathological processes in the body, negatively affect the development of the fetus in pregnant women, potency in men, and much more.
Therefore, before drinking any "harmless" herb, be sure to familiarize yourself with the possible side effects that it can give and its contraindications for use.
Illiterately compiled medicinal collections, herbs collected in ecologically polluted areas, as well as taking herbs at the same time as medicines are especially dangerous.
Always remember what time we live in, and plants, like people, absorb everything from the environment.
- A number of medicinal herbs have a strictly defined safe dose of use.
Roughly speaking, there are herbs that, in excess of the dosage, turn into poison.
- Medicinal herbs contain "harmful chemicals"
Well, I already hinted at this in paragraph 2, in addition to useful microelements, medicinal raw materials contain harmful ones (heavy metal salts). They are especially abundant in those that gathered along auto and railway roads and in other environmentally unfavorable places.
- Medicinal herbs should not be used for a long time and constantly
Some herbs are addictive, others, with prolonged use, depress the nervous system, cause an overdose, which is accompanied by negative consequences, so the course of herbal treatment is individual.
For example, mint tea, with constant use, greatly lowers blood pressure, “safe” chamomile, with prolonged use, disrupts iron absorption, wormwood can provoke a nervous system disorder, cause convulsions and fainting.
Therefore, "healing" with herbs from one disease, you can easily acquire another.
How to properly and safely treat with herbs?
So, remember the basic rules - how to be treated with herbs:
- In order for the grass to retain all the useful components, it is very important to collect it according to all the rules.
Taking into account the place of collection, the time of collection, as well as the conditions for its harvesting and drying. How to do this correctly, you can read in any good reference book of medicinal plants.
It is best to collect herbs yourself, following all the rules for harvesting, drying and storage.
Or buy medicinal herbs from time-tested manufacturers and specialized pharmacies, where you will be provided with all product quality certificates, including documents for its radiological control.
I do not advise anyone to buy herbs in the markets from unknown people, no one knows exactly what they may contain, where they were collected!
- You need to brew in a glass dish in a water bath.
This rule is important to follow because plants are able to interact with various chemical components and accumulate them in themselves, so boiling in metal, plastic dishes can be dangerous.
- In order to prepare an effective medicinal product from medicinal herbs, certain rules must be observed.
Medicinal raw materials are usually used in the form of water infusions and decoctions or alcohol tinctures.
The infusion is prepared from soft plant materials (flowers, leaves, herbs), decoctions from hard plant materials (roots, bark, dry fruits)
Usually infusions and decoctions are prepared in a ratio of 1:10
- How to prepare medicinal infusion?
We prepare raw materials, take 1 tablespoon of dry chopped grass. Pour a glass of hot water and boil in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then remove from heat and cool for 45 minutes. We filter.
- How to prepare a decoction of herbs?
We prepare raw materials, 1 tbsp. l per 1 glass of water, pour hot water and boil in a water bath for 30 minutes. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. We filter hot.
The only exception is, which is prepared according to special rules.
It is not necessary to increase or decrease the time of boiling and infusion.
This is the optimal ratio in which all active substances leave the medicinal raw material in an infusion or decoction, do not change, are not inactivated, but act with optimal benefits for the body.
Strained infusion or decoction is brought to 100 ml with water and taken in the indicated dosage.
Shelf life of water infusions and decoctions - no more than three days in the refrigerator
- How to prepare alcohol tincture with herbs?
Medicinal crushed raw materials are poured with 70% alcohol in a ratio of 1:10, infused for 30 days in a dark, cool place, hermetically sealed, then filtered and stored in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
- It is necessary to take infusions and decoctions in accordance with the indicated dosage.
- When treating with herbs, they should not be used simultaneously with medications, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods.
Are herbs in sachets good for you?
I have an ambivalent relationship with them.
On the one hand, this is convenient, but on the other hand, the technology for preparing infusions and decoctions is absolutely violated.
And given that they are made like tea bags (low-quality raw materials after sifting), then it is better to buy herbs in bulk for treatment.
Well, and yet, I would like to voice such a moment as to be treated with herbs correctly.
When you come across some herbal treatment recommendation or herbal formula recipe, before you start using it, open a good reference book of medicinal plants (which lists the full chemical composition, structure, properties, etc.) and read:
- composition and contraindications of this medicinal raw material,
- pay attention to its dosage,
- component compatibility
- ways of application.
And only after that, make a decision whether to use this fee or not.
Some herbs today are credited with such incredible effects that you are amazed !!!
Therefore, before believing in another myth that some kind of herb or collection can cure, for example, alcoholism, read official studies, look at its chemical composition, what is in this herb that can really help solve this problem and draw your own conclusions.
Well, and finally, I really love medicinal ones, I collect and prepare them myself.
I always have thyme, mint, oregano and many others at home.
I am convinced that when used correctly, for certain diseases, they can have an effective therapeutic and cosmetic effect, restore strength and energy.
Therefore, be sure to use medicinal herbs, but do it correctly, and then, herbal medicine will bring real benefits to you and your body.
Despite the progress of modern pharmacology, "grandmother's" recipes and traditional medicine tips are still popular among the population. Undoubtedly, there are a huge number of herbs with beneficial therapeutic properties. But not all people are aware of what self-treatment with their use can turn into. Even those plants that doctors actively use in their practice should only be prescribed by a specialist. What herbs can be used in combination with drugs and is herbal medicine able to replace them completely?
The medicinal properties of many plants were known to mankind as early as the third millennium BC. The pioneers in the field of herbal treatment were the peoples of Ancient Egypt, Assyria, China and India. Since ancient times, our ancestors used the gifts of nature as medicines, not only healing from diseases, but also strengthening the body as a whole.
From century to century, people have improved their knowledge of the healing properties of plants and their significance for human health. And today, traditional medicine does not exclude the possibility of using medicinal herbs, but looks at them from a scientific point of view. Inflorescences, stems, leaves and rhizomes - each part of the plant is valuable in its own way. The following dosage forms can be made from them:
- Infusions that allow you to preserve the healing properties of herbs and ensure the rapid absorption of active substances. For their preparation, crushed herbal raw materials are poured with water (cold or hot - depending on the recipe), after which it is infused for a certain time.
- Decoctions that provide slower absorption of active substances than infusions, but have a long therapeutic effect. For their preparation, crushed vegetable raw materials are poured with water and brought to a boil. After that, the resulting broth is filtered and diluted with water to the required volume.
- Tinctures made with the addition of alcohol and characterized by a strong effect. Such preparations are prepared by insisting crushed plant materials on alcohol for a certain period of time. Their use has many restrictions and contraindications, and you cannot use any herbal tinctures on your own.
- Ointments intended for external use as compresses. During the manufacturing process, the crushed raw materials are mixed with an astringent, such as vaseline or lard.
Also, medicinal herbs can be used as part of syrups, in the form of powder or natural extracts. The use of any remedy made on the basis of medicinal herbs must be previously agreed with the doctor.
Today, in traditional medicine, medicinal herbs are used mainly in combination with medicines and other means of basic therapy. It is not necessary to completely replace drugs with them. Among the most common medicinal plants actively used in modern medicine, it is worth noting chamomile, ginseng, sage, echinacea, calendula, St. John's wort and coltsfoot.
Chamomile is one of the most common medicinal plants. Chamomile extract is an active ingredient in many pharmaceutical preparations. The plant has a calming effect, helping to cope with insomnia or stress. The phenols contained in its composition destroy pathogenic microflora and stimulate the immune system. Chamomile is also effective for digestive disorders and some diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of the plant make it effective for dermatological problems (dermatitis, diaper rash, eczema).
Despite the versatility and effectiveness of chamomile, it is quite dangerous to use it as a medicinal and prophylactic agent without a doctor's prescription. The main side effect is an allergic reaction. In addition, if too much of the herbal tea is consumed, nausea and, in some cases, vomiting may occur. Contraindications include:
- pregnancy and lactation period;
- chronic diseases of the liver, kidneys;
- allergic reaction to the plant component.
Although chamomile decoction is effective for colic, fever or stool disorders in children, it must be used with extreme caution, no more than 0.5 cups per day. Chamomile decoctions and preparations made on its basis thin the blood. Therefore, taking anticoagulants with them is not recommended.
Sage: benefits and dangers
The use of sage in modern pharmacology is quite common. Sage decoctions are widely used in the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract and inflammatory lesions of the oral mucosa. Substances contained in the plant component help to regulate sweating and increase male and female libido. Sage extract is used in the manufacture of medicines for the treatment of diseases of the liver, bronchi or kidneys, hypertension and diabetes. On the basis of sage, preparations are made to improve the functioning of the brain and memory.
It is not recommended to use sage for therapeutic and restorative purposes without the appointment of a specialist. Only a qualified doctor will be able to correctly determine the dosage of the medicinal plant and the method of its preparation. With an overdose of decoction, the heartbeat may become more frequent, tremors may appear, swelling of the nasopharynx, an allergy in the form of a rash on the skin, and even convulsions can be observed.
The main benefits attributed to calendula are bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Use it for:
- the need to gargle or rinse the nose with acute respiratory infections;
- treatment of burns and purulent lesions, skin;
- dermatitis and skin diseases caused by a fungal infection.
Calendula is also used for baths or douches, inhalations. Regardless of the purpose of use, a doctor should prescribe preparations based on calendula. In addition, they can only be used as additional means to the main therapy.
People who are prone to allergies should be especially careful with calendula. Carotene in the composition of the flower makes it a strong allergen. Also, calendula stimulates the active secretion of gastric juice, which excludes the possibility of its use in gastritis or ulcers. The use of a herbal component for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes should be previously discussed with a doctor.
Echinacea: description of properties
Echinacea is a unique plant that is actively used in the production of drugs to enhance the body's natural defenses (immunity) and prevent viral diseases. For self-preparation, tinctures are best suited. Their use is relevant for:
- bacterial and viral diseases of the upper respiratory tract;
- the need to restore the body after poisoning;
- treatment of inflammation of the oral cavity;
- skin lesions (wounds, ulcers, bedsores, burns).
Echinacea-based preparations are contraindicated in patients with autoimmune diseases. Strengthening immunity with their help in HIV or tuberculosis is categorically excluded. The chemical composition of the plant component is not compatible with the drugs used to treat such serious diseases. Especially dangerous is the use of echinacea with antifungal drugs.
St. John's wort is distinguished by hemostatic, antibacterial, soothing, astringent, bile and diuretic properties. It can be used for the treatment of non-healing wounds and inflammatory lesions of the skin, as well as for the treatment of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. St. John's wort has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system (CNS), which is effective in the treatment and prevention of depressive conditions.
When using products based on St. To avoid side effects, you can not use St. John's wort for fever, gastritis or ulcers.
Ginseng: a medicinal root from the East
Speaking of medicinal herbs, it is impossible not to mention the popular ginseng root today. The plant, which came to us from the East, has a stimulating effect. Its use is relevant for increasing endurance during mental stress, achieving a state of physical vigor and for enhancing performance. Substances in the composition of ginseng increase the tone of blood vessels.
The use of a herbal component or preparations based on it may be recommended for people with low blood pressure and problems associated with visual acuity. Another benefit of ginseng is its effectiveness in normalizing cholesterol and blood sugar levels. With extreme caution, ginseng root should be consumed:
- pregnant and lactating;
- children under the age of 12;
- people with heart disease and hypertension;
- patients suffering from hyperexcitability and epilepsy.
The combination of ginseng root with various drugs should be discussed with the doctor beforehand. It is impossible to use a plant component on your own to treat diseases and strengthen the body.
Fresh coltsfoot flowers have an enveloping effect and can be used to treat diseases of the throat and oral cavity. The expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties of the plant are especially valued. No less effective is the use of coltsfoot for digestive disorders. Products made on its basis can be used for both external and internal use. For internal use, teas and decoctions are most often prepared on the basis of coltsfoot.
Contraindications to the use of the herbal component are pregnancy and lactation. Also, its use is not recommended for patients with liver disease or people who abuse alcohol. The admissibility of the use of coltsfoot for therapeutic purposes, the duration of the course of its administration and dosage should be determined only by a doctor.
Can herbs replace medicines?
The importance of medicinal herbs in modern pharmacology is undeniable. It is a mistake to believe that herbal treatment is the prerogative of exclusively traditional medicine. Various plants can be used as adjunctive therapy in the main treatment. But they should be appointed only by relevant specialists.
