Botanical Medicine
Overview of Botanical
History
Herbal medicines have been used to treat illness since the beginning of recorded history. India’s Ayurvedic medicine is believed to be the oldest healing system in the world. An Ayurvedic text dating back 4,500 years ago called Rig Veda contains formulas for medicines using 67 herbs. Knowledge of medicinal plants and their uses was recorded by Imhotep, the priest-physician of ancient Egypt, by Galen, personal physician to the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius, and later by Paracelsus, the Abbess Heldegard of Bingen, and the authors of the great herbals of medieval times, right to the present day. The medical writings of many other ancient healing systems around the world including Traditional Chinese, Egyptian and European medicine also document the man’s medicinal use of herbs.
Traditional native cultures including the Australian Aborigines, Native American Indians, and Central and South American Indians such as the Mayan, Aztec, Inca and Brazilian native peoples have developed their own forms of botanical medicine. Within the last two centuries, plants from these lands have been researched by western scientists, who have used their active principles to develop modern pharmaceutical medicines.
Ipecac, a well known over-the-counter product for coughs, comes from the plant of the same name, which was used by native Brazilians for treating dysentery. Cinchona, a traditional plant used by the people of the Andes to treat fever, is the source of Quinine, which has been used to successfully treat malaria for 300 years. And the bark of the willow tree, used by American Indians as a remedy for pain, is the source of aspirin, the most widely used analgesic in the world today.
Constituents
The ability of a plant to promote healing depends on the chemical constituents it contains. Scientists first began extracting and isolating individual active constituents from plants in the 18th century. Numerous herbal constituents have now been identified, each of which has specific medicinal actions.
Flavonoids are one group of active plant constituents that are currently experiencing an increase in notoriety. They have a range of actions, but are best known for being anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. For example, the flavonoid rutin, which is found in hawthorn berries, helps to promote healthy circulation.
Tannins are herbal constituents that have the ability to draw tissues closer together. When tissue comes into contact with tannins, proteins coagulate, causing a tightening effect that creates a protective barrier and also helps “tone” the tissue. Tannins got there name fromt their use in tanning animal hides. Medicinally, they are used to help stop diarrhea and bleeding in the GI tract and fight infections. Topically, they are used to soothe irritated tissue in conditions such as eczema and leg ulcers and to speed wound healing.
Mucilage, another constituent found in herbs, produces a thick, sticky gel that helps to soothe red and irritated tissues in the respiratory and gastrointestinal systems. Mucilaginous herbs, which are called demulcents, are used to ease conditions such as sore throats, coughs, inflammatory bowel conditions and burns.
In addition to astringents and demulcents, common herbal medicines are grouped into a number of other general categories that describe their actions in the body. These include adaptogens, immunomodulators, carminitives, cholagogues, digestive bitters and purgatives. Adaptogens have an effect on the adrenal and pituitary glands of the body as well as the pancreas. They increase the body’s resistance to adverse influences and boost the immune system. They have a balancing effect on the body, help to protect against toxic compounds and radiation, help increase physical endurance and performance and assist in stabilizing blood sugar. An adaptogenic herb native to northern Russia, Eleutherococcus senticosus, commonly known as Siberian ginseng, has been used by the Russian athletic programs to enhance performance of their athletes.
Agents that exert an effect on the activity of the immune system or a specific immune function, are known as immunomodulators. Some herbs have the ability to enhance the immune system and can be used in conditions such as HIV while other herbs therapeutically suppress immune function and are helpful in autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Recent clinical studies have shown the Chinese immune modulating herb, Artemisia annua, to be effective in the treatment of systemic lupus erythematosis.
Herbs that soothe the gastrointestinal lining, reduce colic and the production of gas are said to be carminative. These actions are attributable to the volatile oils present in the herbs. They have anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and even anti-microbial effects directed at the gastrointestinal system. Many carminative herbs are used commonly in the kitchen as cooking spices and are known for their soothing tastes and smells. Some examples include dill, fennel, thyme, peppermint and cardamom.
Cholagogues promote the release of bile from the liver and gallbladder. Bile is necessary for the digestion of fats in our bodies. Herbs such as dandelion, wormwood, burdock, and goldenseal are all cholagogues and also are very bitter. When ingested, the bitter taste triggers receptors on the tongue which send a signal to the brain. The nervous system then sends a message to the stomach to increase the production and release of hydrochloric acid which is essential for proper digestion of foods.
Lastly, purgative herbs are those that stimulate and lubricate the colon to promote bowel movements. This can be helpful in reducing constipation and expelling parasites from the digestive tract. Cascara sagrada, rhubarb and senna are all purgative herbs, but should be used with caution and for limited time periods. With extended use the large intestine can become irritated resulting in loss of water and electrolytes such as potassium which can have deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system.
Plant parts
Plants are composed of many parts including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruit and bark. The type and amount of active constituents per part will dictate which part is used and for what condition.
Calendula is a beautiful flowering plant commonly known as the Marigold. The petals from its flower contain the constituent mucilage which is often used to treat red, itchy skin conditions.
The flowers and berries from the Hawthorn plant contain compounds that help treat heart problems. In Europe, Hawthorn is the most widely prescribed medication for the treatment of congestive heart failure and is also used to treat other cardiovascular conditions. Viral and bacterial infections are treated by active compounds found in the root of the well known herb Echinacea.
Sometimes, certain plants will have the ability to treat a number of different conditions using different parts of the plant. For example, the flowers of the Elderberry plant decrease phlegm and encourage sweating, so are very useful for fighting fevers and colds. The berries, on the other hand, are excellent for joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis. The leaves, roots and bark of the Elderberry are rarely used internally due to safety concerns. Instead they are used externally to treat hemorrhoids, bruises, sunburns, boils and other skin issues.
Preparations
The particular part of the plant used determines how it is prepared. The leaves and flowers of plants are prepared by a method known as infusion. Water that is just off the boil is poured over the plant parts, which are then allowed to sit and infuse for 10 minutes. During this time, the active constituents of the plant are drawn out of the plant into the water which is then poured off and enjoyed as a tea.
A decoction is used for roots, barks, twigs and some berries. The herbal parts are heated in water and allowed to simmer for up to an hour. Some also encourage soaking the parts in water overnight before simmering to allow for maximum extraction of the active constituents.
Syrups are made by adding honey or refined sugar to infusions and decoctions. This helps to preserve the preparations as well as sweetening them to avoid unpleasant flavors. Syrups are particularly good for use with children.
Plant parts can also be dried, made into a powder and placed in a capsule. Powders can also be sprinkled on food, but due to the strong taste of many herbs this is not a palatable form of delivery for most individuals.
A tincture is made by steeping either the fresh or dried parts of a plant in a mixture of alcohol and water. This method is effective for all parts of the plant from the root to the flower. Not only is it a very efficient means of extracting constituents, but the alcohol acts as a preservative, giving the tincture up to two years of shelf life.
Tinctures can come in the form of a standardized extract. In this process, the active constituent is isolated and extracted from the herb and concentrated to an amount higher than what is normally found in the whole plant.
The active constituent in Milk thistle, an herb used to treat liver conditions, is silymarin. A standardized extract of Milk thistle contains 80% silymarin. Increasing the amount of the active constituent, in turn, increases the intended action of the herb. In this process the other constituents of the herb are lessened. Opponents of standardization argue that the likelihood of undesirable side effects is increased as constituent levels of plants are manipulated.
For topical use, herbs can be added to creams, lotions and ointments. Compresses are helpful for treating cuts and bruises and are easily prepared at home by soaking a cloth in a hot infusion or decoction, squeezing out the excess liquid, and placing the compress on the affected area. A poultice is similar to a compress, but the whole herb is placed on the affected area rather than the liquid extract of the herb. Powdered herbs made into a paste by adding water can also be used. Or the whole plant can be boiled for 2-5 minutes and then, after ringing out the excess water, it can be placed on the affected area.
Growing herbs
Herbs used medicinally can be grown on a farm or harvested in the wild. Knowledge about how to properly grow herbs is important in order to assure the highest quality product. The medicinal value of an herb varies depending on the weather and soil where it is grown and when it is picked and processed. If a plant is grown in soil to which it is not native, the constituents of the plant can be affected, which in turn, affects the plants therapeutic value.
Cautions/Contraindications
Herbs are very complex with respect to their constituents, how and where they are grown, the form in which they are used, dosages, etc. Interactions between herbs and prescription medications as well as aggravation of already existing medical conditions may occur if herbs are not used properly. Some people may even experience an allergic reaction to some herbs. Some herbs are also very toxic and are not recommended for use internally. Due to the many factors involved in the use of herbs as medicine, it is always best to use herbs with the advice of a specialist trained in their use.
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Craniosacral
CST is a gentle, hands-on method of evaluating and enhancing the functioning of a physiological body system called the craniosacral system - comprised of the membranes and cerebrospinal fluid that surround and protect the brain and spinal cord.
Using a soft touch generally no greater than 5 grams, or about the weight of a nickel, practitioners release restrictions in the craniosacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system.
By complementing the body's natural healing processes, CST is increasingly used for its ability to heal neuronal tissue damaged from trauma.
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Homeopathy
A therapeutic system of medicine that is based on the principle of similars- like cures like - which means that a substance that can cause certain symptoms in a healthy person can cure similar symptoms in an unhealthy person.
Homeopathy aims to aid and stimulate the body's own defense and immune processes. These medicines are prescribed to fit each individual's needs, and are used for both prevention and treatment.
Established 200 years ago by German physician Samuel Hahneman, it is recognized by the World Health Organization as the second largest therapeutic system in the world.
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