Herbs Have Great Potential When Understood & Used Correctly!
Herbs contain active ingredients that may consist of tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids and carotenoids. Chosen correctly, Adaptogenic and synergistic properties may be harnessed! Denis Prévôt Photo, March 20, 2011
Used under Licence –
CC BY-SA 3.0
Human health and natural resources are closely linked. As living beings well adapted to life on this planet, we have come to depend on sunlight, nutrients, fresh air and quality food with a proper nutrient balance. We are also adapted in a way that allows the use of natural herbs to support our health.
While food plants form an essential source of nutrients and life supporting natural compounds ranging from enzymes and minerals to chlorophyll and fiber, more concentrated nutrients, biologically active plant components and ingredients from herbs have exceptionally valuable applications. Herbs may deliver nutrients in a concentrated form, or catalyze beneficial processes and support human health through specific actions linked to their botanical makeup.
Given the importance of herbal health care considerations, Island Healthworks will take the opportunity to give you a proper snapshot of how herbs work and why it is so important to ensure they are used correctly. A herb is not just a herb, there are key factors that lead to potential benefits instead of a wasted opportunity if considered.
Herbs come from a diversity of plant types, including those familiar from gardens, forests and fields, species used in cooking, and lesser known wild crafted specialty herbs. Roots, leaves, stems, berries and juices are all among the plant parts may serve as the sources of herbal formulations. Originating from all over the world, herbal formulations have been central to traditional health care methods in North America, Europe, Asia, Africa, South America and Australia, covering temperate and tropical environments alike. Each plant offers a specific biochemical makeup and set of properties. First Nations uses of herbs are paralleled in many modern formulations.
Many pharmaceutical formulations and even medicines used in emergency situations emerged from herbal research and botanical ingredient development. Herbs form valuable components of health foods and energy drinks. With increasing focus on herbal properties and active ingredients in medical research, fascinating new findings on the effectiveness of herbs is rising to prominence. For example, Hawthorn is becoming a subject of interest as to whether it could be used to address certain heart symptoms.
While many herbs are readily purchased or gathered by hand, it is important to ensure that proper quality control is applied to ensure freshness, maximum effectiveness and purity. Island Healthworks only recommends the use of Quality Controlled Herbs and Supplements that are gathered and processed at a high standard to maximize values and integrity of the ingredients.
Herbs come from Many environments on Earth. Herbs are Uniquely adapted to the planet with unique characteristics when used to support human well being.
Herbs may contain concentrated minerals and natural enzyme compounds that can support health and lifestyle goals. Diverse botanical compounds in herbs may include phenols, tannins, alkaloids, phenols, carotenoids and many other ingredients that can influence body systems through adaptogenic and synergistic effects. The right combination of herbal products is especially important where natural health care decisions are made. Formulated through tinctures, teas or dry product, the best herbs are bioavailable, being readily absorbed by the body, bioactive, being effective according to the biochemical pathways they may influence, and correctly combined where applicable. Dandelions, Elderberries, Oregon Grape, Green Tea, Korean Ginseng, Astragalus, Echinacea, Peppermint, Chamomile, and many other herbs have a length history of use. However, each herb should be used in a manner that suits the individual and self treatment is not as effective as that which can be obtained under professional guidance.
Yvonne highlights the importance of an individualized approach to herbal formulation selection and usage. Each body is unique and different root causes may underlie given health challenges. Consulting an integrative health care professional allows the best approach to be found efficiently without loss of opportunities for improvement or a waste of resources. As just one example, herbs may be used to resist inflammation, the root cause of dis-ease. Herbs have also been used to carefully address allergic complications.
Herbs are part of our planet and can form a valuable part of the lifestyle plan for healthy human beings. By harnessing the power of botanical ingredients, we benefit our health. Herbs may compensate in part for environmental stresses, individual weaknesses, genetic predispositions and deficiencies in a similar, but more targeted manner than a diet. Botanical benefits from herbs are accompanied by the general benefits gained from access to nature, including tree chemicals as discussed in our recent healthy lifestyle article.
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To learn more, contact Yvonne! Yvonne Dollard Perc offers phone consultations where she will develop an individualized health care program and lifestyle plan tailored to your specific needs through a personal health and lifestyle analysis.
Call 250-468-7685 to speak with Yvonne and set up a phone consultation!
Yvonne offers in-person consultations with assessment of your specific needs, health and lifestyle coaching, and the best of integrative natural health care. To book your in person consultation, please call 250-468-7685!
This article is intended for educational purposes and the information contained within is not intended to treat, diagnose or cure any disease or health problem. Please seek appropriate medical attention for any health complaints. We cannot take responsibility for your health care decisions. Our intent is only to offer health information to help in your search for better health.
Article by Christopher M. Stephens, MSc. Environment, Communications Manager for Island Healthworks, with Yvonne Dollard Perc, MH, ID, SC, KN, NC, AC of Island Healthworks.
The post Why Herbs? When Botany Meets Human Health appeared first on Island Healthworks.
