Saturday, January 31, 2009

HERBS : AN INTRODUCTION


Mother Nature has provided human, the favourite creation of God, with all that he needed to live on this earth: water to quench thirst, air to breathe, grains to hunger, fire to light and so on. Human body is the microcosm of the entire cosmos and the answer to all human problems lies in maintaining harmony with the cosmic rhythm. Nature has offered the means to maintain that balance. Herbs. Yes herbs are one such means. A herb is a plant or plant extract, including leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, seeds, stems and flowers which is bestowed with nourishing and healing elements. Herbs are the endowment of Mother Nature which has been used for healthcare through out different ages and cultures of human history.
Being negligent to the value of herbs due to chemical medicines, human lost synchronization to the rhythm of Nature and thus suffered various side effects. Herbs have the elements that help the human body to live in harmony with nature and its laws. According to the most ancient system of natural medication, Ayurveda, herbs work depending on the Self Correcting Mechanism and balance of three elements “Vata”, “Pitta” and “Kaplan” in the human body. Herbal treatment not only heals but also looks after the body to live a healthy and fruitful life. Herbs have been used for healthcare through out the human history and are once again being recognized for their true value. Herbal medicine and herbal extracts are the foremost component in all traditional medicine including Ayurvedic, homeopathic, naturopathic, traditional oriental, and Native American Indian medicine. Now is the time when modern human should appreciate the goodness of medicinal herbs by incorporating them into their life style thereby, living a balanced and healthy life.
Herbs are the most natural way to cure all kind of diseases, from minor ailments to the most life threatening ones. Study shows that about 25 percent of the prescription drugs dispensed in the United States contain at least one active ingredient derived from herb material. Some are made from herbal extracts; others are synthesized to imitate a natural herb compound.
In herbal medication, herbs are used for their therapeutic or medicinal value. Herbal medicines and treatment can be divided into eight branches in Ayurveda; General medicine, Surgery, ENT & Eye Disease, Toxicology, Psychiatry, Pediatrics, Gynecology, Sexology & Virility. There are so many pearls lying in the deep ocean of the vast knowledge of this system, we just need to dive in and search the herbs which are valued for medicinal, aromatic or savory qualities that act upon the body and bestow a healthy soul in a healthy body.

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