Download The Wild World of Herbal Medicine: Characteristics and Common

The Wild World of Herbal Medicine:
Characteristics and Common Usages of Herbs Found Around
the World
Presented By
CJ Pickering
LiveYour Best Life
Agenda
 What is herbal medicine?
 How does herbal medicine work?
 Why should you know about herbs?
 Discuss various types of herbs and their common uses.
What is Herbal Medicine?
 Sometimes called ‘Herbalism’ or ‘Botanical Medicine’
 Refers to the use of herbs for therapeutic or medicinal
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purposes
Herbalists use leaves, flowers, stems, and various parts of
plants to treat an illness or disease
The oldest form of healthcare known to man
Many drugs used today originated from herbs
About 25% of prescription drugs sold in the United States
contain at least one active ingredient derived from plants
Plants used for medicine is older than recorded history
How Does Herbal Medicine Work?
 Whole herbs
 Harmonious approach
transfers to patient
 Herbs harvested are used in
several different forms
Why You Should Know About Herbal
Medicine
 Over the years, the
trends are beginning to
reverse, where more
and more people are
seeking out CAM
practitioners. This is
indicated in the graphs.
 It is also more costeffective than other
traditional treatment
options.
Herbs Around the Globe - TCM
 Over 100,000 medicinal recipes recorded
throughout ancient literature
 Plant parts and extracts are the most common
elements used
 Four Natures-TCM uses hot and warm herbs
to treat cold diseases and cool and cold herbs
to treat hot diseases
Common Herbs and Uses - TCM
 Ephedra - stimulant herb used to treat asthma
 Licorice - helps treat hepatitis, sore throat, muscle spasms
 Ginger - commonly used to treat nausea
 Rhubarb – used as a strong laxative
 Rehmannia – used for anemia, constipation, and dizziness
 Cinnamon – used to reduce glucose and LDL cholesterol
 Bupleurum- used to treat liver diseases, skin ailments,
arthritis, ulcers, and mental disorders
 Astragalus – used to treat immune deficiencies and allergies
Herbs Around the Globe –
Native American Medicine
 Native Americans use many
different herbal remedies to treat
and cure their illnesses and diseases
 Made good use of their
surroundings-never let any plant or
animal parts go unused
 Had various spiritual practices they
would use while they harvested
herbs for medicinal purposes
 Use various herbal remedies to
detoxify the body and cleanse the
spirit
Common Herbs and Uses –
Native American Medicine
 Skunk Cabbage – helps to treat asthma
 Mullein – smoked the dried leaves to relieve asthma
 Creosote Bush – helps to treat bronchitis and other
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respiratory problems
Pleuris Root - used to treat pneumonia and remove phlegm
Yellow-SpinedThistle – used to treat burns and skin sores
Partridge Berry – used as a tea taken regularly prior to the
expected date of delivery, used to speed child birth
Buckwheat – used to stop hemorrhaging
Wild Black Cherry – used to relieve pain of childbirth
Herbs Around the Globe –
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
 Magic and religion were considered a vital component of
everyday life
 Evil demons were thought to be the culprits of many ailments
 Used simple recipes to formulate medications commonly added
to food in the form of spices and liquids
Common Herbs and Uses –
Ancient Egyptian Medicine
 Onion – was worshipped by the
ancient Egyptians, believed that
the shape symbolized eternal
life, used to treat heart disease,
inhibit strokes, lower
cholesterol
 Castor Oil – found in the
tombs of ancient Egyptians
dating back to 4000 BC,
doctors used oil to protect
against eye diseases particularly to help with
irritation and dryness
Common Herbs and Uses –
Ancient Egyptian Medicine Continued
Garlic
Coriander
Henna
Herbs Around the Globe – India
(Ayurveda)
 Hygienic living is an integral part of the Indian culture and
practice of Ayurvedic medicine (for example: bathing,
cleaning of teeth, skin and eyes, etc.)
 A main focal point of their medical system is using plantbased medicines to treat and cure injuries, illnesses, and
diseases
Common Herbs and Uses – India
(Ayurvedic)
 Ashoka- small evergreen tree from India, it is brewed into a
tonic and used to stop uterine bleeding and maintain proper
function of female reproductive system.
 Bitter Melon- used to regulate the bodies ability to process
sugar
Common Herbs and Uses – India
(Ayurvedic) Continued
Chitrak
Brahmi
Common Herbs and Uses – India
(Ayurvedic) Continued
 Arjuna- mostly used in tonic form to treat cardiac conditions
and also supports circulation and oxygenation of all tissues
Herbs Around the Globe – South
America
 During ancient times more than 1200 plants were harvested
from the jungles of Central and South America and
concocted into teas, tinctures, baths, and plasters
 These herbal remedies were the primary means of taking
care of people afflicted with illness, injury, and disease.
Common Herbs and Uses – South
America
 Yerba Mate- herb found in South American rainforests.
Known fro its stimulant effects. It is used to treat hay fever,
asthma, improve digestion and combat fatigue
 Cat’s Claw- used to enhance the immune system.
Common Herbs and Uses – South
America
Lapacho
Boldo
Suma
Passion Flower
In Summary…
 People from all regions of the globe have been using herbal
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remedies to treat their sick for thousands of years.
Some of these herbs are still used to today.
Many of the herbs have been studied extensively with sufficient
evidence to support the health claims. However, more research
still needed for some.
If you are thinking about incorporating herbal medicine into your
overall treatment plan, please do your research and consult with
your primary care physician before you begin.
Theses are exciting times to be alive we are now living in an age
where we can combine the knowledge of the past with science of
the present to make a healthier future.
References:
 http://www.rain-tree.com/article4.htm
 http://nccam.nih.gov/health/whatiscam/chinesemed.htm
 http://www.native-american-online.org/native-american-
medicine.html
 http://www.indiana.edu/~ancmed/egypt.HTM
 http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/ayurveda000348.htm
 Veria Living. (2011, December 17).Ayurvedic Herbs. Retrieved
from http://www.veria.com/herbs-supplements/ayurvedicherbs