Herbs have been used for thousands of years worldwide, as the main source of primary medicine. While it is easy to debate the usage and effectiveness of herbal medicine today, it is worth noting that 75-80% of the world population still relies upon herbs to stay healthy. Herbal remedies are still thought to have little or no side effects, while being relatively inexpensive and available throughout many developing nations.
25% of modern medicines are derived from medicinal plants. However, prescription drugs have caused many deaths in the US averaging about 1900 per week. Foods, herbs, and spices are often considered to be safe until proven otherwise, coming from many years of human consumption, and not necessarily having been scientifically proven to be safe.
An area of concern that can be reflected in today’s world culture is that science can be used to distort facts and sometime sway a viewpoint on a particular issue. Pharmaceutical companies as well as herbal medicine companies have pursued research that favors their product, while not necessarily getting a neutral or even factual report of the product in question. For me, this makes doing my own in-depth research on any food, pharmaceutical or herb even more important. I don’t feel that today, we can take benefits or side-effects of any consumable at mere face value and assume that it must be good for us because somebody says so.
Supplements should not and cannot take the place of eating a balanced high-quality diet. Supplements, whether vitamins, herbs or otherwise should not be used as a replacement for eating foods that have the nutritional requirement to maintain good health.
Be well, become healthy, be wise.
References:
Horne, S.2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv9oXPZHBl4
http://stevenhorne.com/credential-program
http://schoolofmodernherbalmedicine.com/users/steven-horne-1.html?page=1
Qigong, tai chi, baguazhang, and yoga are not the only methods that can be used within this formula but have proven the test of time as methods to cultivate harmony of the mind, body and spirit. These exercise practices offer a wide spectrum of physical wellness benefits, stress relief as well as means of self-awareness. Not all teachers nor students practice these for the same goals. For more info, contact Jim Moltzan at info@mindandbodyexercises.com, 407-234-0119 or through my site at http://www.mindandbodyexercises.com
United Martial Arts Association 