An Introduction Into Herbalism

An Introduction

Herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, is the oldest healing method we know. Medicinal plants have been used all over the world for decades. Babylonians, Chinese, Egyptians and Greeks all paid extensive attention to them. Yet in our modern world, all this knowledge was pushed aside and synthetic medicine seemed to make herbs obsolete.

Modern medicine is not the only solution and every person has an innate natural healing power which can be provided using natural means, including herbs. Herbs can complement modern medicine and can often even downright replace it.

Does It Work?

Coffee is known to make you energetic. It gets your heart rate up, makes you more focused on the subject in front of you and allows you to work harder. Many other plants have an effect on you, just like coffee. Some of this is mental, some of this is physical.

While coffee makes you more energetic, rooibos, chamomile and lavender make you more relaxed and calmer. Sage in combination with honey helps against a sore throat, ginger can relieve headaches or muscle pain and cloves are effective against toothache.

This is due to the certain properties that a certain plant has. For example, drinking an infusion with linden in it makes you sweat, so with physical problems that you can sweat out — such as the flu and a hangover — linden can promote this process and therefore help you get rid of the problem.

Unlike modern medicine, a plant won't make you feel better without solving the actual problem. Herbs work with your body to help you get rid of what's bothering you before you can feel better.

So, although the process is slower, unlike modern medicine, it will solve the problem, leaving you feeling better in the end, rather than feeling better for a short time while the problem is still there planning a comeback.

How to Make a Herbal Infusion

There are multiple ways to create a herbal infusion. The preferable way is cooking your fresh or dried herbs in a cooking pot together with your water until it boils. Cooking your herbs this way will make your infusion stronger in taste and effect.

The second way of making an infusion is how you would normally set a cup of tea. Simply place your herbs in a cup of already boiled water and wait for the infusion to be completed.

Please Be Mindful

Herbs are amazing and can help with all kinds of different physical and mental problems, but please be mindful to alternate between your herbs every now and then. Some herbs can have extremely helpful effects, but can also have some harmful effects once you consume too much of it for too long.