HERBAL THERAPY
Herbal Therapy also known as Herbal Medicine is the practice of using herbs to promote health and prevent and treat illness. Herbal medicine has been around for centuries and has developed throughout many cultures.
Herbs and their medicinal uses are strongly represented in modern medicine. One-quarter of all prescription drugs are derived from herbs, trees or shrubs.
Many of today’s pharmaceutical medications are based on herbal medicines borrowed from older cultures.
Some herbs have potent (powerful) ingredients and should be taken with the same level of caution as pharmaceutical medications. For instance, the heart drug digitalis was derived from the foxglove plant.
The general categories of herbs and their functions are:
Herbal medications and supplements may interact in harmful ways with over-the-counter or prescription medicines you are taking.
Taking herbal supplements may decrease the effectiveness of other drugs you are taking or may increase the negative side effects.
It is very important that people do not self-diagnose any health conditions. Any medication (herbal or otherwise) should be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable and qualified practitioner.