Herbal medicine and herbal remedies and treatment

Herbal medicine and herbal remedies from the plant world are used in many different medical directions to support the body's normal functions and influence specific mechanisms in the body.
Herbal medicines include, in addition to what is commonly meant by "herbs", trees, ferns, seaweed, lichen, and both whole plants and parts are used. Remedies within herbal medicine are characterized by the presence of all the biogenetic material contained in the plant, and not just isolated or synthetically produced chemicals. Many drugs in conventional medicine are derived from the plant world, but its method of preparation and also the manner of use are different from herbal medicine.

The herbs mentioned in a rule, an adaptogen (adaptability) effect. This means that they operate on certain body functions depending on their condition, and they are used to support reductions in body functions. Herbal medicines purpose is mainly to promote the enhancement and self-healing processes in the body.

Already in China and India, and later also in Europe, believed in a connection between plant form, odor, color and flavor and its medicinal effects (the so-called doctrine of signatures).

Active substances
Pharmaceutical Doctrine, materia medica, describing the substances are medicinal. There are a variety of active ingredients in plants, divided into different categories. Sub-containing plants, the more "tasty" ingredients that are known from the physiology of nutrition, such as carbohydrates, lipids (fats), proteins, vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Not only can they contain active ingredients to a greater or lesser extent.

Alkaloids
Nitrogen and fat-soluble alkaline substances. They are easily absorbed into the body through mucous membranes and to some extent through the skin, but not through the stomach due to its acidic environment. Once in the body divided alkaloids rapidly in the blood and will ease into the individual cells where they exercise their effects. Many alkaloids are very effective and some are toxic. For example, there more than 50 different Alkaloids of opium, morphine, which is one.

Glycosides
Organic compounds composed of two substances: some are sugar (glucose) and some is another topic, such as alcohol. Some glycosides are water soluble, others are not. Glycosides are extremely active and sometimes highly toxic. An example of a GLYCOSIDE that affect the heart in digitalis purpurea, thimble flower.

Saponins
The glycosides similar chemical composition. They can be acidic, and when poorly soluble or insoluble in water or neutral, water-soluble. Saponin produces foam in water. They affect the mucous membranes in the body and is used expectorants, which means the bronchitis. They can also promote the absorption of other substances through the skin or mucous membranes. Saponins are eg the cowslip and Goldenrod.

Tanning Topics
Nitrogen-free organic substances which have an astringent effect on skin and mucous membranes. By this effect, they create a protective barrier against such infections and reduce tissue sensitivity to chemical or mechanical stress. Tannins are also a local anesthetic effect. They are primarily used for its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect. Oak bark contains much tannins.

Essential oils
Volatile organic compounds of oily texture and with more or less aromatic odor. They are insoluble in water but is extracted by using water vapor. They are easily absorbed through the skin and inhaled air through the lungs and through the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract. They act locally, and stimulants can improve blood circulation in skin and mucous membranes and has numerous other effects. For example, seems essential oil of chamomile strong anti-inflammatory.

Bitter Substances
They have a bitter taste, and some plants with high content of bitter substances, such as wormwood and calamus, used to stimulate appetite and promote digestion.

Mucus Topics
They consist of complex sugars, which are partly soluble in water and swells in water. They have mainly a local effect on skin and mucous membranes and may protect against irritation. Linseed and coltsfoot are examples of herbs with high content of mucus substances used in the inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract or the lungs.

Organic acids
Examples are oxalic acid and citric acid which acts as a mild laxative.

Preparation
Herbal medicine can be prepared in various ways, depending on the plants' active ingredients and how these can be easily extracted and to be used by the body. The most common preparation method is perhaps the infusion, where boiling water is poured over the herb, after which the whole may benefit in a certain number of minutes and then sieved and drunk. Decoction of the herb is boiled in water 15-30 minutes. Although liquid extracts or tinctures, which are prepared in different ways exist. Preparation, dosage and scope requires careful expert supervision.