Some Potent and Effective Herbal Remedies

Interest in the use of herbs for treatment of different ailments and medical conditions has grown significantly in recent years, as more and more researchers carry out studies proving their efficacy. Herbs are even proving helpful for some conditions which conventional drugs have not been able to help with. Let's have a look at some of the most potent and safe herbal remedies you may want to give a try sometime.

Why Herbal Medicine?

It is true that herbal medicine is increasingly popular these days, but things haven't always been this way. For years, herbal remedies were disparaged – and they still are by some – as being ineffective and unsafe. Available evidence points to the contrary, however. Numerous studies have been done showing medicinal herbs are helpful in treating hundreds of ailments and health conditions. Also, virtually none of the 1,756 accidental poisoning deaths recorded in 2008 by the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) was attributed to the use of herbal remedies. These make one wonder what facts exist for antagonists to prove their points. In addition, more than 200,000 people are said to die in the United States every year as a result of using prescription drugs. Now, what could be more unsafe that those? One delightful thing about herbal remedies is that they are more cost-effective – you may even get some for free if you have a garden.

Potent Herbal Remedies

You will be amazed to learn there is an herb for majority of health issues you can think of. We are not just talking of simple folk remedies here, but those that researchers have indeed shown to be effective. The following are some of the ailments or health problems that you can hope to deal with using herbal remedies.

Colds and Flu

Herbs such as coffee, Echinacea, thyme, ginseng and licorice root have been shown to be effective in dealing with colds and flu. Caffeine contained in coffee opens up the bronchial tubes, while thyme oil contains antibacterial and antiseptic properties that help prevent colds and flu. Usefulness of Echinacea for this purpose was proven in a University of Wisconsin study as well.

Migraine

A daily dose of between 50 and 150 mg of the herb feverfew can keep migraine at bay. This conclusion was reached by some British researchers from the University of Exeter after analyzing six studies on the herb.

Burns

Aloe Vera is one of those multi-purpose herbs that are very popular among herbal remedy enthusiasts. One of its uses that have been proven in studies is its ability to soothe burns. You only need to scoop out some gel from the inner leaf and apply on burns for soothing effect.

Menopause

It was shown in a study on menopause hot flashes conducted in Germany that black cohosh was more effective than estrogen and a valium-like tranquilizer in combating menopause issues. The herb was used by the Algonquin Indians for dealing with gynecological ailments. Also, the use of flaxseed is increasingly becoming the ideal substitute for hormone replacement therapy for dealing with menopausal discomfort in that it is both effective and safer.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Cranberry is a powerful herbal remedy for those having urinary tract infection. It makes it hard for bacteria to stick to the bladder wall for time long enough for them to cause an infection. A Finnish study on recurrent UTI patients showed that those taking cranberry juice were less likely to experience a recurrence, compared to those taking Lactobacillus or nothing at all.

Digestive Problems

Peppermint, chamomile, ginger and cilantro are some of the herbal remedies available for digestive issues. Chamomile tea, which contains antiseptic and vasodilatory properties, relaxes smooth muscle spasms and prevents inflammation of the gut lining. Peppermint tea is a good digestion aid as well and it also helps to treat Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is usually characterized by symptoms such as flatulence, bloating, constipation or diarrhea, and abdominal cramps.

Depression

St. John's Wort has been identified as a great herbal remedy for depression. Studies have shown that this herb can be helpful in handling mild to moderate cases. It is believed to be as effective as regular medications such as Prozac and Zoloft. Dosage used in most studies falls in the 600-1800mg bracket.

Erection Problems

Gingko and ginseng are helpful to men battling with erection and libido challenges. Gingko enhances the flow of blood to the genitals helping to drive erection in men and fire up sexual performance. Ginseng boosts the nitric oxide production in the body, with this helping to tackle erectile dysfunction.

Low Sperm Count

Ginseng can also raise sperm count in men. Italian researchers at the University of Rome found that giving four grams of ginseng daily to 30 men with low sperm counts caused their levels to almost double after three months of treatment.

Cholesterol

The oil found in the seeds of evening primrose is very rich in essential fatty acids, particularly gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), which are known to help regulate the level of cholesterol in the body. A study published in The Review of Natural Products showed that three-month use of Efamol, which contains around 320mg GLA, resulted in an average 31.5% drop in the cholesterol levels of participants. Daily dose of 1g gel-caps two or three times a day is recommended when using evening primrose oil, which is also useful for treating rheumatoid arthritis. Garlic also helps with cholesterol control.

Ulcer

Garlic contains a compound called alliin, which is activated and becomes a very powerful antibiotic known as allicin when chopped or crushed and exposed to air. It was shown in a University of Washington study that garlic kills the bacteria H. pylori which is known to cause ulcers. Raw garlic is more preferable for this purpose.

Hypertension

In a study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, it was discovered that drinking hibiscus tea for 12 days reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 11%. This means you may benefit from drinking hibiscus tea if you have hypertensive issues.

Cancer

Garlic, raspberry, pomegranate, green tea, ginseng and bilberry make for great herbal remedies for those concerned about cancers. Researchers observed in a long-term Iowa Women’s Health Study involving more than 41,800 middle-aged women that those participants that consumed the most garlic were least susceptible to colon cancer. Studies also show that women who drink most green tea are less likely to have cancer or experience a recurrence.

Arthritis

Frankincense, also known as boswellia, is a popular herb in Ayurvedic medicine used for treating arthritis and joint injuries. In a study conducted by Egyptian researchers and published in the journal Alternative and Complementary Therapies, it was observed that boswellia produced the most relief – even greater than another herb, turmeric.

Herpes

Lemon Balm is an efficacious herbal remedy for herpes simplex due to its antiviral properties. This explains why it is an active ingredient in the herpes remedy Herpalieve. German researchers, in a study published in Phytomedicine, observed that participants administered with a lemon balm cream experienced milder outbreaks which also healed faster than those in the placebo group.

These are only a handful of herbal remedies available. The use of herbs does not only make for effective treatment, but also a safer one. Perhaps, most interestingly, herbal remedies are cheaper and easier to access than conventional drugs.

REFERENCES

www.herbalremediesinfo.com/best-herbal-remedies.html
www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/herbal-remedies-from-your-garden#1
www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-remedies/herbal-remedies-zmaz10onzraw.aspx
www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/herbal-remedies/herbal-remedies-common-ailments.aspx
www.life-saving-naturalcures-and-naturalremedies.com/