Herbal medicine occupies the middle ground between drugs and food. At one end of the herbal spectrum are strong remedies that have been used as the source of modern drugs; these include poppies and deadly nightshade, which are used to produce opium and atropine. At the other end are nourishing remedies such as bladder wrack and horsetail, which are rich sources of vitamins and essential trace nutrients.
Herbs are usually chosen to work with the inherent healing powers of the body. For example, fevers are treated with herbs, such as elderflower, that bring down the temperature by encouraging the body to sweat, which is its natural response. Recurrent infections are treated with herbs, such as, echinacea, that stimulate the immune system to help the body fight off infection.
Herbalists consider that orthodox drugs suppress the body's healing powers. They have obvious advantages in crisis situations and for serious diseases, but they often leave the body in a partially healed state, setting up more health problems for the future.
Herbs are usually chosen to work with the inherent healing powers of the body. For example, fevers are treated with herbs, such as elderflower, that bring down the temperature by encouraging the body to sweat, which is its natural response. Recurrent infections are treated with herbs, such as, echinacea, that stimulate the immune system to help the body fight off infection.
Herbalists consider that orthodox drugs suppress the body's healing powers. They have obvious advantages in crisis situations and for serious diseases, but they often leave the body in a partially healed state, setting up more health problems for the future.
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