Frequently Asked Questions

I have been told that herbal medicines take a long time to take effect in the body. Is this true? Can I take herbal medicines for acute conditions?
It is a myth that herbal medicines take a long time to take effect. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the condition, herbal medicines provide effective, progressive relief. Herbal medicines can be taken for any type of acute condition, including infections, inflammations, bleeding, injuries, or temporary stresses.

If a particular health condition or disease has already progressed a lot, can taking herbal medication help?
The optimal goal of herbal medicine is complete reversal of the condition. If the disease is chronic, then herbal medicines can slow the progression of the disease. In less advanced cases, herbs can stop the disease from worsening. When cure is not possible, herbs can help alleviate distress associated with the condition.

Is it true that herbal medicines are mostly preventative?
Fact is, the term ‘prevention’ has a number of meanings and herbs typically fulfill all of them. For instance, flu season is something that all of us are intimately familiar with. In fact, some of us approach it with some dread because, for some reason, we seem to catch it faster and more often than others. In such a case, taking herbs can help bolster the immune system so that we are no longer susceptible to contagious diseases. Another way in which herbs are preventive is that they help to prevent chronic, degenerative diseases. So, it is true that herbs are primarily preventive, although their utility in helping cure ailments cannot be understated.

Can herbs and herbal medicines help for psychological conditions?
Herbs are nature’s tranquilizers and are amply suited to depression, anxiety and hyperactivity. Some herbs work as effectively as well-established drugs, without the associated addictive tendencies. Herbs are known to work well with psychotherapy because they often sharpen cognition.

I have heard that herbs play a huge role in anti-aging. How does this work?
It is true that herbs play an important role in anti-aging, but it is important to take them with the appropriate vitamins and minerals. There are dozens of herbs with special rejuvenating properties and a long tradition of promoting longevity. With anti-oxidant protection, improved circulation, enhanced immunity and increased neurological function, a reversal of age-related degeneration is a realizable goal.

How do herbs and herbal medicines work to strengthen the immune?
Immune health has been recognized as the cornerstone of our health - it is the body’s defense system that holds the key to longevity and freedom from infection and chronic illnesses. Herbs possess unique abilities to augment and maintain immune health.

Every once in a while, when reading the description of an herb, I come across the term, adaptogen. What does it mean when an herb is adaptogenic?
Adaptogens are a class of herbs that have universal applications. Although a relatively new term, adaptogenic herbs have the ability to either increase or decrease body functions, according to its need. They are renowned for their ability to help the body adapt to stress, improve performance, and fend off or recuperate from illness. Many also have specific anti-aging effects. An example is Ashwagandha.

What does it mean when an herb has anti-inflammatory properties?
Inflammation is one of the primary defense systems of the body and part of a majority of disease syndromes. Herbs work in complex and comprehensive ways to block inflammation. They produce better clinical effects with much fewer side effects. An example is Bosweillia.

Can herbs help to cure cancer?
No, there is as yet no identified herbal cure for cancer. However, one class of herbs called anti-mutagens help to neutralize carcinogens that have the ability to cause genetic mutations because these herbs are high in bioflavanoids, sulphur-containing molecules, and a variety of immune boosting agents. An example is Garlic.

How do anti-oxidants help against free radical damage?
Anti-oxidants have always been valued for their broad healing action. Anti-oxidants strike at one of the major causes of disease and aging - free radical damage. They prevent destruction to collagen or protein in the body and thus have a profound effect on protecting small blood vessels and enhancing circulation. Examples are Garlic, Gotu kola.

When do I need to take herbs that have astringent action?
Astringents are drying agents that reduce the body’s secretions and have the ability to coagulate and precipitate proteins. They reduce mucus, have antiseptic capabilities and help all kinds of congestions. Their deeper effect is to tone and tighten tissues that have become weakened and lack tone. They can be applied to almost any system in the body. Powerful astringents include Garlic, Echinacea.

Are blood purifiers and detoxifiers the same?
Yes. Detoxifiers and blood purifiers are essentially the same thing. A crucial aspect of healing is the clearing of accumulated debris from organs, tissues, lymphatics, and cells. They act in various ways, but the sum result is deep tissue cleansing. This can alleviate underlying causes of both acute and chronic diseases. There are many detoxifiers, one of which is Neem.

What does it mean when an herb is said to be a nervine tonic?
Nervines or nervine tonics restore and rebalance the nervous system. They may be stimulating or relaxing, but ultimately nourish and strengthen the brain and nerves. Bacopa and Gotu Kola are good examples.

I was advised by my doctor to take a cardiac tonic for overall conditioning of the heart. I would like to know how these cardiac tonics work.
Also known as cardiotonics, these herbs improve the functioning of the heart in a global way. They increase the force and volume of blood pumped, improve the supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscle and regulate its rhythm. Additionally, many herbs in this group work on the blood vessels, influencing arteriosclerosis and high blood pressure. Cardiac tonics include Arjuna, Garlic, Gotu Kola.

What is a laxative?
Laxative herbs increase the passage of wastes through the small and large intestines. Aperient refers to a mild laxative, purgative refers to a more powerful action, and cathartic is a strongly irritant laxative. An example of a laxative is Triphala.

I have been advised that expectorant herbs can help clear the respiratory tract. Is this true?
Yes. Expectorants soften and liquefy hard, dry phlegm and help expel wastes and mucus from the respirator tract. These are used for moist coughs, asthma, emphysema, but also help clear mucus from post-nasal drip or sinus congestion. Examples include Garlic, Eucalyptus, and Ephedra.

How can diuretics help treat infections and inflammations in the urinary tract?
Diuretic herbs help increase the flow of urine, useful for clearing infections and inflammations from the urinary tract. Diuretics are also useful in other conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, PMS, and menopause.

Is the manufacturing process an important consideration when choosing the brand of herbs?
It is important to buy herbs from companies that adhere to the highest good manufacturing practices (GMPs) for food products. Good companies provide full disclosure on the label and offer considerable support literature, describing the manufacturing process and adherence to various guidelines for keeping herbs fresh and effective. It is always advisable to ensure that you are aware of a company’s manufacturing process when making a decision about trying its herbal products. Some standards to look out for are Identification, Purity testing, and Chromatograph testing.

Herbal medicines are available in several different forms. Is taking them as tablets better than taking them as capsules, for instance?
Regardless of whether they are consumed in tablet or capsule form, herbal medicines provide progressive, long-term benefits. Capsules containing dried herbs represent the majority of herbal products sold today. They may also contain solid extracts or liquids. There are some advantages to consuming herbal medicines as capsules instead of tablets, just as there are some benefits to tablets over capsules. Tablets, for instance, have advantages similar to capsules, but because they require binders and stabilizing agents, they are less absorbable by the body.

TEN THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT HERBS

There are certain qualities that make herbs attractive and desirable as alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. According to Hershoff and Rotelli (2001), the following are some reasons why herbal medicines are gaining favor among people.

1. Effective - Herbs have proven themselves effective in treating every conceivable type of health problem in tens of millions of patients. In fact, herbs are still the main system of health for over 80% of the world’s population. While the current standard of double-blind scientific studies is useful, it takes second place to the centuries of consistent action and clinical results observed by healing practitioners in every culture and time period.
   
   
2. Non-suppressive - Herbs do not thwart or block our natural immune and neurological responses. Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, the long-term use of herbs do not weaken or damage the body’s defense mechanisms, causing deeper problems later on. Instead, herbs work with the human body to provide progressive, long-term benefits.
   
   
3. Consistent - Plants have a track record that often goes back thousands of years. While science continues to deepen our understanding of herbal action, we can currently rely on their long-established record of safety and effectiveness.
   
   
4. Safe - There are food plants, medicinal plants, and poisonous plants. Herbs have an extremely high benefits-to-risk ratio. This is evidenced by the fact that fatalities from medicinal herbs are almost unheard of.
   
   
5. Natural - In spite of its overuse and the hype, the word "natural" has a genuine meaning. Having evolved over millions of years with plants as our main food, our human physiology and biochemistry have a natural affinity for and compatibility with medicinal herbs. Far from being primitive or basic, herbs used in their whole, natural state are far more complex and advanced than the synthetic, laboratory created drugs.
   
   
6. Environmental - Herbs are a truly environmentally friendly form of medicine. Using organically grown, naturally processed herbs, ensures that land, air, and sea are not further despoiled. It is imperative to use herbs that avoid the use of solvents or toxic chemicals, which allows them to remain true to their heritage.
   
   
7. Holistic - No one part of a person can be sick without the involvement of the whole body. Even catching a simple cold implies a temporary weakness in the spleen, thymus, respiratory tract, etc. Conversely, any sick organ will affect the entire person. That is, intestinal dysbiosis causes toxic build-up in the liver and kidney, weakening immunity. These relationships are the basis of combination herbal formulas, designed to influence total health.
   
   
8. Synergistic - Because of their complex nature, herbs affect multiple organ systems and functions. For example, a plant may be an all-in-one anti-oxidant, immune-stimulant, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, and pain reliever. This kind of remarkable synergism is exemplified in "meadowsweet". Its active ingredient, aspirin, is the single leading cause of stomach hemorrhage and ulceration, yet the whole herb is a soothing antacid and digestive tonic.
   
   
9. Family-based medicine - Herbs are a relatively gentle alternative, making them ideal for children, the aged, and those who require long-term treatment. They are valuable any time there is very real concern about toxicity and side effects of short and long-term drug use. Also, a great many plants are perfectly suited for self-care and treating one’s family and friends.
   
   
10. Cost-effective - Herbal medicines are not always cheap, but are far less expensive than other medicines. Their greatest savings, however, come in their ability to prevent chronic disease, whose cost in medical expenses, lost work, and emotional strain, is beyond estimate.