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Herbal Medicine the Oldest Form of HealthcareHistory of Herbals: Nearly all people, including ancient cultures dating back thousands of years, have used herbs. Medicinal herbs were found in the personal effects of an "Ice man" whose body was frozen in the Swiss Alps for more than 5,300 years. They appear to have been used to treat the parasites found in his intestines. In the written record, the study of herbs dates back over 5,000 years to the Sumerians, who described well established medicinal uses for such plants as laurel, caraway, and thyme. The continuing importance of herbs for the centuries following the Middle Ages is indicated by the hundreds of pages of information on herbs published after the invention of printing in the fifteenth century. How To Use Herbs: Herbs can be prepared in a variety of forms depending on their purpose. They have been used in all cultures throughout history to restore balance by nourishing the body and have provided humankind with medicine from the earliest beginnings of civilization. Herbs contain a large number of naturally occuring chemicals that have biological activity. They help the body strengthen its own resistance to infective organisms and throw off illness. Herbs can act on the body as powerfully as pharmaceutical drugs and herbal medicine treatment should be treated with the same caution and respect. Herbs can also have undesirable side effects just as pharmaceutical products can. Herbs may be harmful if taken for the wrong conditions, used in excessive amounts, combined with prescription drugs or alcohol, or used by persons who don't know what they are doing. Most herbal medicine treatment traditions have accumulated knowledge without modern scientific controls to distinguish between the placebo effect, the body's natural ability to heal itself, and the actual benefits of the herbs themselves. Who Can Use Herbs: Medicinal plants can be used by anyone, for example as part of a salad, an herbal tea or supplement. Many of the herbs and spices used by humans to season food yield useful medicinal compounds. To use an herbal product as safely as possible, consult your doctor or a trained herbalist before you begin. Do not take a larger dose than the label recommends. Take it under the guidance of someone trained in and experienced with herbal medicine treatment and uses. Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or nursing. While herbal medicine treatment is older than any other type of health care, it continues to influence the medicines of today. Herbal medicine treatment has proven to be a huge benefit to mankind and has never been more popular than it is today. You can improve your health and personal well being as you begin to use complementary herbal medicine treatments confidently and effectively. The information in this article is for information only. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice. Consult the appropriate medical professional if you have a medical condition. The information in this article is for information only. It should not be used as a substitute for medical advice, nor should it be used in any way for medical advice. Always consult the appropriate medical professional if you have a medical condition.
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