250 Mathis Ferry Road, Suite 101
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Herbal medicine is the most ancient form of healing and is still the most widely used system of medicine in the world today. It is a medicine made exclusively from plants. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Ayurveda (the Indian tradition) and North American herbology are key branches of herbal medicine. Different cultures may diverge in the plants or part of the plants they use due to climate and history.
Herbal medicine uses plant parts such as seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, flowers, and occasionally animal tissue for medicinal purposes. Many prescription medications originate from herbal plants by singling out and then synthesizing these chemical components. For example, did you know that the drug Valium was developed to mimic the main ingredient of the valerian plant? Or that poppies produce the key ingredient of the painkiller morphine?
Before prescription medication and surgery, people of all cultures relied on botanical medicine to prevent, relieve, and treat illness. Although the use of herbs is no longer part of conventional medicine in Western cultures, it is still very much utilized in other parts of the world. Herbal knowledge has been passed down through the generations from a time when people knew how to heal themselves working in tandem with Mother Nature. Today, many practitioners including certified herbalists and acupuncturists are formally trained in the use of botanical medicine. It is estimated that 80% of the worldwide population relies on herbal medicines for some form of primary care.
Improvements in quality control of herbal products and research studies are helping to put herbal medicine in the mainstream. And there is a global trend of more people treating illnesses with herbs or using them in combination with conventional medicine.
Herbal Medicine uses the entire composition of herbs. Herbalists believe the harmony represented in the plant is what the body will best respond to. Many herbs, because they are food, contain crucial vitamins and minerals that increase their effectiveness. Herbs almost always have more than one use. For instance, Ginkgo Biloba is not only used to treat circulatory disorders but enhances memory and is an anti-inflammatory. Herbs are used not only to alleviate symptoms but also to address the root cause of an illness and heal the body.
However, the effectiveness of herbs greatly depends on their quality. Similar to the nutritional value of food, the potency of an herb is determined by how and where it was grown, when and how it was harvested, and the way it was processed. Simply put, herbal products are not all created equal.
In most cases, herbal medicines have shown significantly fewer side effects than conventional prescription medication. Used correctly, herbal medicine can treat a wide variety of conditions. Herbal supplements are best taken under the care and guidance of a trained herbalist because although they are natural, they are powerful and, if used incorrectly, can injure the body.
| Asthma | Autoimmune Disorders | Hormone Imbalance | Fertility | Sleep Problems | Cardiac Health |
| Pain | Menopausal Symptoms | Chemotherapy Support | Eczema | Acid Reflux | Mental Clarity |
| PMS | Chronic Fatigue | Rheumatoid Arthritis | Migraines | Menopause | IBS and IBD |
| Acne | Digestive Disorders | Weight Loss | Energy | Sex Drive | Circulation |
| Anxiety | Pregnancy Support | Immune System | Allergies | Infections | Depression |
Herbs can come in a variety of forms as shown below.
| Herbal Form | How it’s Made/Used |
| Teas | Made from dried herbs steeped in hot water. |
| Syrups | Made from concentrated extracts with added sweeter tastings preparations. Often used for sore throats, coughs and pediatric treatments. |
| Oils | Extracted from plants diffused in oil. Usually for topical use. May be put in an ointment, salve, or cream. |
| Tinctures/Liquid Extracts | Made of active herbal ingredients dissolved in a liquid. Usually is in a base of alcohol, water or glycerol. Often the most potent form of ingested herbs. |
| Dry Extracts (pills/capsules | The herbs are dried and ground into a powder. |
Merge Medical Center has trained health care providers that utilize herbal medicine to treat and prevent illness in the Charleston area. We customize a regimen to restore health naturally. These more natural-minded clinicians strongly believe that the body is continuously striving for balance and that these natural therapies can aid in their healing process. Furthermore, we only work with herbal companies we have reviewed that adhere to strict quality control measures.
Site powered by Zeniark. All Rights Reserved 2024.
