Hype or fact – a closer look at herbal medicines

There are numerous herbal medicine – advantages and some obvious disadvantages such as the fact that herbs should not be used for long term care and you still need to talk to your health care provider about interactions with pharmaceutical drugs, correct dosage amounts and various other concerns. There is no doubt given the definition of the word drug, which is any substance that has a physiological effect on the body, that herbal remedies do have some effect on the body. The amount of effectiveness and the safeness of the herbal formulation is what is under scrutiny. Numerous useful drugs have been derived from plant sources but so have alkaloid and other deadly poisons. However, if you really want a more natural approach to health care, here are just a few of the reasons why herbal medicine is so popular. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages include the fact that they are cost effective and convenient. Herbal medicines are generally less expensive than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Herbs have an absence of serious side effects when compared to pharmaceuticals, they are widely available and simple to prepare. When it comes to herbal medicine – advantages such as these make the difference. Finally when it comes to our bodies, pharmaceuticals introduce completely new molecules which can lead to problems. The effects of numerous herbal medicines have been proven through research and when you consider the fact that many of our pharmaceutical drugs have key ingredients that come from herbs in the first place, it is easier to understand that herbal medicines are more than just hype.

Is herbal medicine right for you?

Even though herbal medicine is gaining popularity today it may not be the right choice for you. The first step in making this decision is to talk to your health care provider. They know your medical history and can advise you on the best solutions. Many traditional health care providers use both alternative and traditional treatments because the role that traditional medicine typically plays is being changed as more people look for a natural approach to healing. Because so many health care providers are willing to use traditional and alternative methods it is easier than ever for people who want to use the herbal medicine – advantages as well as traditional prescription drugs to get sound advice from their medical care provider.

Infertility and alternative medicine

Historically, mental stress, was thought to be the cause of infertility. Modern research has shown that mental stress has very little to do with the actual cause of infertility, however it cannot be ruled out because according to a study done at Harvard University stress can reduce the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-ovarian axis function. Stress should not be overlooked as a possible cause of infertility during the initial workup nor should it be considered the only contributing factor. Over the past twenty years traditional medicine has discovered a new field, psychoneuroimmunology, which focuses on how your mind can affect your body. This new principle that the thoughts and feelings of an individual can affect their physical health is a conviction that has always been a part of alternative medicine, possibly this belief is why IVF herbal medicine works.

East meets west with IVF herbal medicine

Acupuncture has been proven to increase the success rate of infertility treatments and ivf. Herbal medicine has also been used with success in the treatment of infertility for thousands of years. It is suspected that the acupuncture needles were pointed at areas that influenced reproductive factors which is why it was so successful in the study. For example, the acupuncture points that were selected were believed to increase the blood flow to the uterus, relax the uterus, stabilize the endocrine systems and improve the flow of energy to the abdomen which resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. The exact mechanisms of IVF herbal medicine are not completely understood at this time but it is believed that the formulation of herbs specific to the needs of the patient is one reason why IVF herbal medicine works. Be advised, however, that these formulations should only be prescribed by a board-certified herbalist to help ensure that the combinations and amounts of herbs taken are absolutely safe.

What happens during the three months IVF herbal medicine is taken

The recommended waiting time for IVF to take place after alternative medicine is administered is three to six months. During the three to six month preparation period lots of changes are taking place in the body that will make the ivf have a higher rate of success. Ovarian function will be improved which results in better quality eggs and more follicles. The estrogen and progesterone levels are regulated, resulting in the uterus lining thickening which makes implantation easier. The immune system is strengthened, stress is reduced and the patient relaxes making the possibility of miscarriage less likely, but most important of all, the root cause of the infertility is treated. When considering ivf, herbal medicine options should be discussed with your health care practitioner if this is an option you wish to pursue in your quest for fertility.

What is it about herbs and natural supplements that make so many doctors flinch?  Is it that these supplements are actually not good for us, or is it something else?  While some doctors are beginning to support patient use of herbal remedies such as Echinacea, others are highly opposed to the use of some of the most beneficial herbal supplements on the market.

There is some reason for caution on the part of the medical community: many of these herbal remedies have not been tested thoroughly by the FDA.  However, many people claim that they will continue taking these herbal supplements despite the opinion of the FDA.  So who is right?  Many holistic practitioners feel that anything that seems to work does, in fact, work; therefore, there is no harm in drinking an herbal tea or taking a supplement to support and boost one’s immune system.

Stress relieving techniques

When using herbal medicine for anxiety it is important that it is not used on a long term basis because the medicines the herbs contain can build up in your system causing unexpected side effects or the herbal formulations to quit working. Taking an herbal medicine for anxiety is not much different than taking a pharmaceutical medicine when it comes to learning relaxation techniques. To relieve stress it takes more than just a medication. Relaxation techniques should be learned. A change in lifestyle that can include the addition of meditation or an increase in positive activities that you enjoy participating in can help relieve anxiety. Sometimes stress relief is simply a matter of taking a relaxing bath filled with essential oils such as clary-sage, rosemary, peppermint or lavender. These essential oils, alone or in combination, are great for reducing anxiety and inducing a sense of calm. Other natural ways of dealing with anxiety include laughter, journaling and getting a massage. When you use any of these stress relieving techniques in combination with herbal medicine for anxiety you are sure to come out a winner.

Alternative anxiety solutions lead to a balanced sense of well being

With more people turning away from pharmaceutical drugs because of possible side effects or the desire to improve their health in a more natural way, the use of an herbal medicine for anxiety as well as other
non-traditional health care practices such as massage and meditation are increasing in popularity. Countless studies have been performed in regards to the use of herbal supplements as well as their therapeutic benefits. Research has provided strong evidence that the use of an herbal medicine for anxiety, alternative medicine practices as well as a healthy diet have a beneficial effect which leads to a healthier lifestyle that promotes a feeling a general well-being that most people do not feel when they use pharmaceutical drugs.

Job opportunities for herbal medicine schools graduates

As herbal medicine becomes more popular the need for health care providers to know about the uses of herbs, the possible drug interactions that can occur when the patient is using pharmaceutical medications as well as how to properly prescribe alternative herbal medications increases. With almost 80% of the population using alternative herbal medicine for some aspect of their primary health care, traditional medical doctors need the knowledge that is learned in herbal medicine schools. With their busy professional life, it is not always possible for them to attend herbal medicine schools, even though many of them do have online classes, making the need to hire someone who has a certification or degree in alternative herbal medicine a necessity.

Definition of an herbalist

Not all herbalists have gone through herbal medicine schools, although training at an accredited school gives more creditability, especially if you intend to work with traditional health care providers. An herbalist in the United States is a self-defined professional. Sometimes when members of professional groups reach a certain level of training they are granted certification as an herbalist. The job that an herbalist does can very from growing or wild crafting herbs to manufacturing herbal formulas to teaching or counselling people about the use of herbs as medicine.

Requirements for attending an herbal medicine school

As with any traditional school, requirements exist. Many herbalists begin their training through one of many correspondence courses which then leads them to a more traditional one-on-one approach where they will work with and learn from professional herbalists. Most correspondence courses do not have any specific eligibility requirements. If you are looking for a certification or degree than it is wise to check into acupuncture schools, chiropractic colleges or naturopathic colleges, some of which offer special classes or workshops that focus on a particular aspect of alternative herbal medicine. If you are looking for a traditional medical college instead, but want one that offers alternative medicine classes, the eligibility requirements will be stricter. There are a few of these in the United States, however, it is wise to note that the herbal medicine schools are the only place where the alternative medicine courses are not still considered electives.

Philippine herbal medicine endorsement program

Currently there are ten herbs that have been tested in the Philippines and have been clinically proven to have enough medicinal value to offer relief of symptoms or treatment for various ailments. These ten herbs that are approved for use by Philippine herbal medicine standards are akapulko, ampalaya, bawang, bayabas, lagundi, niyos-niyogan, sambong, tsaang gubat, ulasimang bato and yerba buena.

• Cassia alata, commonly known as akapulko, ringworm bush or bayabas-bayabasan, has anti-fungal properties and is a common ingredient in shampoos, lotions and soaps. It is also used to treat ringworms and fungal infections in skin.
• Momordica charantia, commonly known as ampalaya, bitter gourd or bitter melon, is used as a treatment for diabetes in non-insulin dependent patients. It is also believed to help inhibit HIV-1 infection and has been known to act as an anti-tumor agent.
• Allium sativum, commonly known as bawang or garlic, lowers the risk of further heart attacks in myocardial infarct patients and helps to control blood pressure because it helps to reduce cholesterol in the blood. Garlic has many medicinal properties besides the ones above. It is also a stimulant, diuretic and has antiseptic properties.
• Psidium guajava, commonly known as bayabas or guava, can be used to treat tooth decay, gum infection, diarrhea, sore throats, to disinfect wounds and as an antiseptic. It is best to eat guava fresh.
• Vitex negundo, commonly called lagundi or chaste tree, helps relive coughs, disperses the swelling of joints in rheumatism, helps with burns and scalds and is also used to help relieve asthma. It is the second most important treatment for chronic bronchitis in Chinese medicine.
• Quisqualis indica, commonly called niyog-niyogan or Chinese honeysuckle, helps eliminate intestinal worms, treats skin diseases, fever and diarrhea.
• Blumea balsamifera, commonly known as sambong, helps with the dissolution of urinary stones, is a cure for colds and is an expectorant. Sambong is one of the most commonly used herbs in the Philippine herbal medicine cabinet.
• Ehretia microphylla, commonly known as tsaang gubat, is used as a mouth wash, an antispasmodic, for colic and cough and is effective in treating intestinal motility.
• Peperomia pellucida, commonly known as ulasimang bato or pansit-pansitan, is used for fighting arthritis and gout, is an anti-inflammatory and has analgesic properties.
• Clinopodium douglasii, commonly known as peppermint or yerba Buena, helps to relieve the body of aches and pains, is an aphrodisiac, a blood purifier and is often used as a treatment for insomnia, colds and fevers.

Currently almost 80% of the world population uses herbal medicine for some aspect of primary health care according to the World Health Organization. Philippine herbal medicine is no different than any other herbal medicine, the common name may change, but the medicinal properties of the plant do not.

Infertility and alternative medicine

Historically, mental stress, was thought to be the cause of infertility. Modern research has shown that mental stress has very little to do with the actual cause of infertility, however it cannot be ruled out because according to a study done at Harvard University stress can reduce the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-ovarian axis function. Stress should not be overlooked as a possible cause of infertility during the initial workup nor should it be considered the only contributing factor. Over the past twenty years traditional medicine has discovered a new field, psychoneuroimmunology, which focuses on how your mind can affect your body. This new principle that the thoughts and feelings of an individual can affect their physical health is a conviction that has always been a part of alternative medicine, possibly this belief is why IVF herbal medicine works.

East meets west with IVF herbal medicine

Acupuncture has been proven to increase the success rate of infertility treatments and ivf. Herbal medicine has also been used with success in the treatment of infertility for thousands of years. It is suspected that the acupuncture needles were pointed at areas that influenced reproductive factors which is why it was so successful in the study. For example, the acupuncture points that were selected were believed to increase the blood flow to the uterus, relax the uterus, stabilize the endocrine systems and improve the flow of energy to the abdomen which resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. The exact mechanisms of IVF herbal medicine are not completely understood at this time but it is believed that the formulation of herbs specific to the needs of the patient is one reason why IVF herbal medicine works. Be advised, however, that these formulations should only be prescribed by a board-certified herbalist to help ensure that the combinations and amounts of herbs taken are absolutely safe.

What happens during the three months IVF herbal medicine is taken

The recommended waiting time for IVF to take place after alternative medicine is administered is three to six months. During the three to six month preparation period lots of changes are taking place in the body that will make the ivf have a higher rate of success. Ovarian function will be improved which results in better quality eggs and more follicles. The estrogen and progesterone levels are regulated, resulting in the uterus lining thickening which makes implantation easier. The immune system is strengthened, stress is reduced and the patient relaxes making the possibility of miscarriage less likely, but most important of all, the root cause of the infertility is treated. When considering ivf, herbal medicine options should be discussed with your health care practitioner if this is an option you wish to pursue in your quest for fertility.

Disease and healing practices

The ancient Greeks believed that disease was an affliction that was carried out by the gods as a sort of reprimand. Even in today’s modern culture, some people still believe that disease is still divine in origin. Hippocrates is credited with changing the spiritually based ancient Greek herbal medicine practices to a system that is based on logic and observation. When the Romans conquered Greece, the Roman Catholic Church supported Hippocratic medicine which helped to establish the theories of the ancient Greek medicine. This establishment of medical beliefs became the basis for medical advancements throughout the world.

Scientific evidence about the effectiveness of herbal medicine

There is no question about the fact that herbs contain chemical compounds.
An estimated 25% of the prescription drugs that are currently dispensed in the United States contain at least one active ingredient that has been derived from plant material. When plant extracts are not used in drugs there is a good chance that at least one ingredient has been chemically synthesized to mimic the properties of natural plant compounds. Some of the more common pharmaceutical drugs that are based on plant origins include Aspirin, Quinine and Digitalis. Herbs have undergone numerous studies and have been researched thoroughly since ancient Greek herbal medicine became the foundation for modern medicine and really they have been studied since the beginning of time. When it comes to solid scientific proof though, evidence has been found that supports the claims that various herbal manufacturers make as to the effectiveness of herbs. There is no doubt given the definition of the word drug, which is any substance that has a physiological effect on the body, that herbal remedies do have some effect on the body. The amount of effectiveness and the safeness of the herbal formulation is what is under scrutiny. Numerous useful drugs have been derived from plant sources but so have alkaloid and other deadly poisons. The interesting aspect of ancient Greek herbal medicine is that is has lasted through the centuries.

Infertility and alternative medicine

Historically, mental stress, was thought to be the cause of infertility. Modern research has shown that mental stress has very little to do with the actual cause of infertility, however it cannot be ruled out because according to a study done at Harvard University stress can reduce the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-ovarian axis function. Stress should not be overlooked as a possible cause of infertility during the initial workup nor should it be considered the only contributing factor. Over the past twenty years traditional medicine has discovered a new field, psychoneuroimmunology, which focuses on how your mind can affect your body. This new principle that the thoughts and feelings of an individual can affect their physical health is a conviction that has always been a part of alternative medicine, possibly this belief is why IVF herbal medicine works.

East meets west with IVF herbal medicine

Acupuncture has been proven to increase the success rate of infertility treatments and ivf. Herbal medicine has also been used with success in the treatment of infertility for thousands of years. It is suspected that the acupuncture needles were pointed at areas that influenced reproductive factors which is why it was so successful in the study. For example, the acupuncture points that were selected were believed to increase the blood flow to the uterus, relax the uterus, stabilize the endocrine systems and improve the flow of energy to the abdomen which resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. The exact mechanisms of IVF herbal medicine are not completely understood at this time but it is believed that the formulation of herbs specific to the needs of the patient is one reason why IVF herbal medicine works. Be advised, however, that these formulations should only be prescribed by a board-certified herbalist to help ensure that the combinations and amounts of herbs taken are absolutely safe.

What happens during the three months IVF herbal medicine is taken

The recommended waiting time for IVF to take place after alternative medicine is administered is three to six months. During the three to six month preparation period lots of changes are taking place in the body that will make the ivf have a higher rate of success. Ovarian function will be improved which results in better quality eggs and more follicles. The estrogen and progesterone levels are regulated, resulting in the uterus lining thickening which makes implantation easier. The immune system is strengthened, stress is reduced and the patient relaxes making the possibility of miscarriage less likely, but most important of all, the root cause of the infertility is treated. When considering ivf, herbal medicine options should be discussed with your health care practitioner if this is an option you wish to pursue in your quest for fertility.

Infertility and alternative medicine

Historically, mental stress, was thought to be the cause of infertility. Modern research has shown that mental stress has very little to do with the actual cause of infertility, however it cannot be ruled out because according to a study done at Harvard University stress can reduce the hypothalamic-anterior pituitary-ovarian axis function. Stress should not be overlooked as a possible cause of infertility during the initial workup nor should it be considered the only contributing factor. Over the past twenty years traditional medicine has discovered a new field, psychoneuroimmunology, which focuses on how your mind can affect your body. This new principle that the thoughts and feelings of an individual can affect their physical health is a conviction that has always been a part of alternative medicine, possibly this belief is why IVF herbal medicine works.

East meets west with IVF herbal medicine

Acupuncture has been proven to increase the success rate of infertility treatments and ivf. Herbal medicine has also been used with success in the treatment of infertility for thousands of years. It is suspected that the acupuncture needles were pointed at areas that influenced reproductive factors which is why it was so successful in the study. For example, the acupuncture points that were selected were believed to increase the blood flow to the uterus, relax the uterus, stabilize the endocrine systems and improve the flow of energy to the abdomen which resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. The exact mechanisms of IVF herbal medicine are not completely understood at this time but it is believed that the formulation of herbs specific to the needs of the patient is one reason why IVF herbal medicine works. Be advised, however, that these formulations should only be prescribed by a board-certified herbalist to help ensure that the combinations and amounts of herbs taken are absolutely safe.

What happens during the three months IVF herbal medicine is taken

The recommended waiting time for IVF to take place after alternative medicine is administered is three to six months. During the three to six month preparation period lots of changes are taking place in the body that will make the ivf have a higher rate of success. Ovarian function will be improved which results in better quality eggs and more follicles. The estrogen and progesterone levels are regulated, resulting in the uterus lining thickening which makes implantation easier. The immune system is strengthened, stress is reduced and the patient relaxes making the possibility of miscarriage less likely, but most important of all, the root cause of the infertility is treated. When considering ivf, herbal medicine options should be discussed with your health care practitioner if this is an option you wish to pursue in your quest for fertility.