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Herbal Remedies, Alternative Medicines, History, Uses of Herbs and How to choose the Right Herb

In 2004, the results of a study performed using adult subjects indicated that nearly 30% of adults have tried some sort of herbal remedy or alternative medicine.  Recent years have seen the use of alternative medicine increase exponentially in comparison to its use in the past.

Although many people consider herbal remedies to be a recent discovery, there are many years of practical use of these herbs for medicinal purposes.  Herbal medications are but one facet of alternative practices in the medical field, however.  Interestingly, many of the common prescription and over the counter medications used today get their roots from naturally occurring substances. Some examples include Opium, which comes from the seeds of the poppy plant, and aspirin which is a derivative of the bark of willow trees. Quinine is made from a tree called the cinchona.

The beginning of the pharmaceutical development industry is credited to the type of aspirin commonly marketed today, the artificial version.  The Friedrich Bayer Company employed a chemist who created the original version of the synthetic form of the medication. Bayer continued to hold the patents on the term “aspirin” until the end of World War I when the allies seized the company and later sold the assets.

In 1918, the ability to use the word “aspirin” was purchased by a company in the United States called Sterling Drug.  The patent on the term expired in 1917, however although the term wasn’t able to be used the formula remained no secret.  Thus, the name aspirin was used generically to describe painkillers since the original formulas inception.

Unfortunately, this "guide to herbal remedies" could never successfully address all of the various topics in alternative medicine. Thus, the purpose before us is to discuss many common herbal remedies for everyday problems faced by people in the world today.

Although you may find this information of practical use in treating many conditions alternatively, the information within is not to be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional medical practitioner.  It is of the utmost importance to strive for the healthy lifestyle and a healthy eating and exercise routing. The contained information is to be considered informational only. It is important to contact your physician prior to beginning any health and wellness program.

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