| As you are no doubt aware medicines derived | | | | countries throughout the world. |
| from herbal and natural products are becoming | | | | |
| increasingly popular in many cultures around | | | | There are many popular herbal and natural |
| the globe. Many of these herbal and natural | | | | medicines which are inexpensive and readily |
| remedies were developed centuries ago in | | | | available. The natural remedy known as St. |
| eastern culture and they have been used much | | | | Johns Wort is currently used to help people |
| longer than any other variety of healthcare | | | | who suffer minor to moderate depression |
| products. | | | | problems. Other herbal medicines have been |
| | | | used to combat diabetes as well as deal with |
| As well as the Eastern culture other | | | | the treatment of high cholesterol levels. For |
| societies have, throughout history, known | | | | instance garlic and artichokes are both |
| about and have successfully used herbs as | | | | believed to assist with the reduction of |
| well as natural substances to cure all kinds | | | | cholesterol levels. |
| of different ailments. The pharmacopeia, as | | | | |
| we know it today, was initially developed in | | | | Some herbalists believe that Echinacea can |
| the early nineteen hundreds and is primarily | | | | reduce the time frame of the common cold and |
| based on long established natural and herbal | | | | can also reduce the severity of the symptoms. |
| remedies. | | | | As a word of warning some research does |
| | | | suggest that the quantity required to fight a |
| Plant substances, or synthetically produced | | | | cold is higher than the dosage that most |
| plant compounds, are in-fact used in the | | | | manufacturers of the product recommend. Also |
| manufacture of nearly twenty-five percent of | | | | it is important to note that there has not |
| all prescription drugs that are used in the | | | | been sufficient research undertaken to find |
| United States. Medical researchers have | | | | out the possible side affects of these higher |
| recently estimated that approximately eighty | | | | than generally recommended dosages. |
| percent of the people in the world have used, | | | | |
| or currently use, some form of herbal and | | | | People have been using Nigella Sativa (also |
| natural medicine on a regular basis. The | | | | known as black cumin) for all types of health |
| multinational pharmaceutical companies are | | | | related issues including pulmonary |
| constantly researching and looking for new | | | | infections, influenza, some allergies, coughs |
| plant species that can be successfully | | | | and the treatment of stomach aches. Some |
| harvested to create new and better medicines | | | | herbalists believe that oregano might be |
| for the public. | | | | useful in battling multi-drug resistant |
| | | | bacteria. Green tea is thought to have the |
| Research on Herbal and Natural Medicines | | | | ability to inhibit growth of breast cancer |
| | | | cells. |
| Up until now the pharmaceutical companies and | | | | |
| independent medical research organizations | | | | There are many other herbal and natural |
| have not devoted a great deal of time | | | | medicines that are being used throughout the |
| researching the origins and medical | | | | world, however, if you do decide to try some |
| properties of ancient herbal and natural | | | | of these products you should discuss the |
| remedies. This situation has begun to change | | | | usage with your Doctor or seek the advice of |
| and now an increasing number of research | | | | a Doctor who specializes in traditional |
| studies are being conducted with many more | | | | Chinese Medicine. Please be aware that some |
| expected to be undertaken in the near future. | | | | herbal and natural medicines are known to |
| This is primarily as a result of the | | | | have unpleasant and harmful side affects so |
| increased popularity of herbal and natural | | | | if you do intend to use them please follow |
| remedies in the western style markets of the | | | | the directions regarding dosage. that come |
| United States, Europe and many other major | | | | with the products. |