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Herbal medicines are natural remedies that come from plants. They’re often used in place of prescription drugs because they’re safer and less expensive.

The History of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicine has existed since ancient times. It was first documented by Hippocrates, who wrote about herbal treatments in his book “The Nature of Man” He also recommended using herbs as an alternative to surgery.

Today, herbal remedies are used for a variety of conditions and diseases. Herbs can be taken orally or applied topically. They may be made into teas, tinctures, salves, oils, creams, lotions, ointments, powders, capsules, tablets, syrups, elixirs, and even injections.

The ancient Egyptians were known to use Herbs as medicine. In fact, they had their own system of medicine called “Herbalism” which was based on the properties of plants. It was believed that certain plants could cure specific illnesses. For example, if you had an upset stomach, you would take a plant with bitter leaves such as dandelion or nettle.

Why Do We Need Herbal Medicines?

Herbs are plants that have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes. They can be found in your kitchen cabinet as well as in health food stores. Herbal remedies are often safer than prescription drugs because they don’t contain any harmful chemicals or side effects.

Herbs are used for medicinal purposes because they contain natural substances that help treat illnesses. In reality, Herbs just stimulates body’s own healing mechanisms. As our body is natural healer itself it gets the added push by Herbs to get well fast.

There is a wide variety of herbs available, and you can find them in health food stores or online. Many people use herbal remedies to prevent illness rather than when symptoms occur. Herbal medicines have been around since ancient times. In fact, many modern drugs were derived from plants originally discovered centuries ago.

In this article we will discuss some common herbs and their uses. We’ll also look at the side effects of these herbs, and how to use them safely.

How To Choose A Good Herbal Medicine?

Choosing an herb is easy when you know how to choose one. You should start by choosing a plant that grows well where you live. This is one of the most important aspect. Since your body is acclimatised to the place where you were born and brought up. Then, you need to find out what part of the plant works best for you. If you’re looking for something to boost your immune system, then you’ll want to choose an herb that contains high levels of vitamin C. If you’re looking to treat a cough, then you’ll want an herb that contains salicylic acid.

You can also look at the side effects of each herb. Some herbs have mild side effects and others have severe ones. For example, dandelion has been known to cause diarrhea in some people. On the other hand, ginger has been shown to reduce nausea and vomiting.

When it comes to choosing an herb, you should always consider the benefits and risks before using any herbal remedy.

How To Take Herbal Medicines

There are two main ways to take herbal medicines: orally (by mouth) and topically (on the skin). Oral herbs are usually taken as a tea or tincture. Tinctures are made by soaking dried herbs in alcohol until they become soft enough to swallow. They can also be added to water and drunk. Topical herbs are applied directly to the affected area.

You can check out my favourite teas here. They all are made of herbs and help in lifting your mood and general health being.

Types Of Herbal Medicine

There are two main categories of herbal medicines: culinary herbs and medicinal herbs.

Culinary Herbs

Culinary herbs are those which are commonly found in kitchens around the world. These herbs include basil, cilantro, dill, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme, oregano, and bay leaves. Though culinary herbs are mainly used in common kitchen but they have been found to have many health related benefits for being used in food.

Medicinal herbs

Medicinal herbs are those which are used for healing purposes. They can be found growing wild or cultivated in gardens. Some examples of these herbs are echinacea, garlic, ginseng, goldenseal, horsetail, licorice root, St. John’s wort, and yarrow.

Which Herbs Are Best For Colds?

There are several herbs that are known to help with cold symptoms. These include echinacea, elderberry, garlic, ginkgo biloba, goldenseal, ginger, horsetail, licorice root, lemon balm, mullein, peppermint, pau d’arco, red clover, rosemary, sage, St. John’s wort, thyme, valerian, and yarrow.

Herbal remedies are becoming more popular as people become more aware of their health needs. However, there are many different types of herbal remedies available today. In this article, we will discuss some common herbal remedies and give you tips on how to use them safely.

Echinacea

Echinacea is a popular herb for treating the common cold. In addition to its use as a treatment for the common cold, it can be used to treat other conditions such as sore throat, cough.

Echinacea is an ancient herbal medicine used for centuries. It is also one of the most widely used herbs in the United States. The active ingredient in echinacea is called “echinacoside” or “caffeic acid derivative.” This compound has antibacterial properties and helps boost your immune system. It also increases white blood cell production and activity. Another compound used in this herb called polysaccharides (polymers of sugar) stimulates the immune system.

Ginger Root

Ginger root is another great natural remedy for colds. A powerful anti-inflammatory agent, ginger root helps reduce pain and swelling associated with colds and flu. It is a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants. It contains gingerols which are compounds that help reduce inflammation and relieve pain. In addition, ginger root also contains volatile oils that have anti-bacterial properties. It can help with digestion, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and boost immunity.

Garlic

Garlic has been used as a folk medicine to treat cold symptoms since ancient times. The active ingredient in garlic called allicin helps kill viruses and bacteria. Allicin can be found in fresh garlic cloves or it can be extracted from dried garlic powder. Garlic is one of the most powerful spices you can use. It contains sulfur which helps detoxify your body and fight off infections. It also boosts your immune system.

Rosemary

Rosemary has been used for centuries to treat colds, flu, fever, and sore throats. It also works well against nausea and vomiting. Rosemary is rich in antioxidants that help fight free radicals and inflammation. It also helps relieve anxiety and stress. Rosemary is another favorite herb for cooking and baking. Rosemary is high in antioxidants and essential fatty acids.

Thyme

Thyme is an excellent remedy for treating nausea and vomiting. It’s also a natural anti-inflammatory agent.

Strawberries

Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and other vital nutrients. Strawberries are also high in fiber and low in calories.

Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a gentle herb that soothes the nervous system and promotes relaxation. It is a another useful herbal remedy for common flu and cold. You can make a tincture of Lemon Balm or use it in your tea or soup for medicinal benefits. Lemon balm is also considered a natural antidepressant.

Peppermint

A natural herbal medicine for sore throats and coughs. Peppermint is also a natural anti-nausea herb. It can be added to tea or taken orally. It can also be applied topically on your forehead or temples.

Peppermint oil can be applied directly to the skin or inhaled through steam inhalation. This herb is great for relieving headaches and migraines.

Peppermint is a popular flavor in tea blends. It is a potent stimulant and aids digestion.

Elderberry

Elderberry is a natural remedy for colds and flu with no side effects. It is one of the best herbal remedies for colds and flu. This herb has also been shown to help with other health problems such as high blood pressure and diabetes.

Honey

A natural herbal medicine for coughs and sore throats. Honey contains antibacterial properties and when taken with hot water it relieves congestion in airway.

Horseradish

Horseradish is a pungent root vegetable that is high in vitamin C and minerals like potassium, phosphorous, and iron. Horseradish is traditionally used to treat colds, flu, sore throats, and digestive problems.

Cayenne Pepper

This spicy herb has long been used to relieve congestion and other respiratory problems.It contains capsaicin which has anti-inflammatory properties. Capsaicin also stimulates your body’s immune system. Cayenne pepper is also one of the most popular spices for cooking.

Sage

Sage is another common herb that is effective at reducing congestion and other respiratory problems. It is especially helpful when combined with peppermint. Sage is a wonderful culinary herb that adds a unique flavor to dishes. Sage is high in antioxidants and may be beneficial for the heart.

Burdock root

Burdock root has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries. Burdock root contains vitamins A, C, D, E, K, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, manganese, and niacin. The root also helps to detoxify the body and supports healthy digestion.

Parsley

Parsley is a delicious garnish for salads. Parsley is loaded with nutrients including vitamins A, C, and K; folate; iron; calcium; and many other important minerals.

Effectiveness Of Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies have been used for thousands of years, but it wasn’t until the early 1900s that scientists began studying their effects on humans. Today, there is a growing body of scientific evidence showing that many herbal remedies work just like prescription drugs. In fact, some studies suggest that certain herbal treatments may even be more effective than conventional medicine. Despite their effectiveness use of herbal medicines are generally to treat common ailments like headaches, flu, cold, body ache etc. For more serious problems people prefer to take prescription drugs. But some recent results are showing herbal medicines to be more effective in treating ailments such as heart disease and even cancer.