NATURAL MEDICINE ..GO NATURAL!
Why pop a pill when turmeric can give you relief from pain,
garlic will control your cholesterol and Indian snakeroot will keep your
hypertension in check. Here's more on herbs that heal
Going back through human history, before allopathy and
hospitals, humans turned to the Earth for remedies for ailments. The ancient
disciplines of Naturopathy and Ayurveda have shown mankind how to benefit from
Nature for centuries, and these systems of medicine have been regaining favour
in recent years with the spurt of holistic health clinics around the country.
In the West too, there seems to be a shift towards natural remedies, probably
an extension of the `organic foods' trend.
It may also have to do with the popularity of the TV show
Outlander, in which the protagonist travels 200 years back in time and must
therefore adapt her 1945 knowledge of medicine to treat people using only herbs
and roots, as was the practice in 1745.
This is actually possible because herbs contain active
ingredients that have healing properties. This much is acknowledged even by
proponents of allopathy -many of the medicines you and I are familiar with
contain the potent extracts of herbs. Dr Kanika Sabharwal, MD -Homeopathy and
Paediatrics, and Dr Onkar Rajiv Bilgi, MD -Ayurveda, list some things you'd see
in a garden, but which may belong in your medicine cabinet.
Mountain Daisy
Mountain daisy or Arnica Montana is one of the most beneficial
and widely used plants in naturopathy and homeopathy. Part of the daisy family,
this delicate, yellow flower, also known as `leopard's bane' and `fall herb' is
used to relieve soreness, joint pain, aches, arthritis and even bruises.
Arnica Montana signals the body to send more white blood cells
to the bruised or cut area. It's also a natural anti-inflammatory and pain
reliever due to the sesquiterpene lactone in it.
Marigold
You may associate this flower with weddings and happy occasions.
It turns out, the flower grants you its own reasons to celebrate -it can help
increase blood flow and oxygen to wounds and infected areas, and also helps the
body grow tissue more rapidly, which helps the body heal with less scar
formation. Also known as Calendula Officianalis, this plant contains
anti-microbial and antiviral agents and is thus used in topical antiseptics. Calendula
ointments are also widely used to treat burns.
Turmeric
What we know as turmeric is made by grinding the root of the
plant Cucurma Longa. Turmeric has long been touted as one of the healthiest and
most beneficial spices in the world. It's often prescribed for muscle sprains
and injuries because of its natural antiinflammatory properties.It blocks the
molecule NF-kB which mediates inflammation to offer relief almost immediately.Turmeric
does not have a very high dosage of curcumin, the active ingredient, so using
an extract is advisable.
Garlic
Found in garlic, the active ingredient Allium Sativum may cause
bad breath but it also possesses strong anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-viral
and anti-parasitic properties. It inhibits ACE (angiotensin converting enzyme)
and promotes vasodilatation, thereby, reducing blood pressure.Consumption of
raw garlic (or medicinal preparations of the same) promotes cardiovascular health,
lowers cholesterol levels and prevents atherosclerosis. More importantly, it
acts as an immune modulator, reducing the frequency and intensity of colds and
coughs.
Indian
Snakeroot
Rauwolfia Serpinita or Indian Snakeroot has been used to treat
hypertension and other maladies for thousands of years. Interestingly, a
Mumbai-born but British-trained medical physician named Rustom Jai Vakil was
one of the first to introduce this herb to modern medicine.
That was in 1949. Vakil popularised its use for the treatment of
hypertension. He conducted various experiments and saw encouraging results in
almost all participants who suffered from high blood pressure. Studies
published in the Integrative Medicine: A Clinician's Journal have also espoused
the fact that this herb is a safe and effective treatment for hypertension.
Milk Thistle
Almost all medicines for liver diseases contain Silymarin or
Milk Thistle, which is isolated from the Cardus Marianus plant. Aside from its
hepato-protective property, it is also effective as a treatment for a spectrum
of diseases from varicose veins to ulcers. This plant has been used to treat
such health problems since the 4th century, BC.
St John's Wort
According to Mayo Clinic, Hypericum Perforatum or St John's Wort
has been tested and found to be effective in treating depression (especially
seasonal affective disorder). Its efficacy has been compared to standard
protocol drugs used to treat these conditions, and the reports say it has fewer
side effects. It is also of great use in treating neuropathic pain and often
used topically.
Long Pepper
Also known as Pippali or Piper Longum, this is the best herb to
encourage digestion. Many times, in spite of the right diet, the body is unable
to absorb the required amount of iron and vitamins from food. The regular
consumption of this herb before meals, helps in the absorption of vital
nutrients and can help stimulate the liver, too.
Ashwaganda
Withania Somnifera or Ashwaganda is an excellent daily tonic.
Oil infused with the herb has been seen to help strengthen the nerves. It helps
to control anxiety and induce sound sleep.
An extensive study is being carried out to study its analgesic,
anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties.
Guduchi
Tinospoira Cardifolia or Guduchi shields one from pollution. It
has anti-periodic, anti-spasmodic, anti-microbial, anti-osteoporotic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-allergic and anti-diabetic properties.
The herb is used in Ayurveda to treat conditions like jaundice, diabetes and
arthritis.
The experts emphasise that while these herbs are widely
available, they should be used with caution. They may have sideeffects, much
like any medicine you use. Health conditions must always be treated under the
supervision of a trained physician.
MM14APR17
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