Humans have been using herbs for medicine since the beginning of time. Many cultures’ medicine is still deeply routed in the powerful healing properties of nature & plants, including Chinese (Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM) & Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine.

Herbal medicine offers nurturing, strengthening and supportive actions within the body, facilitating and enabling healing to come from within. Plant medicines treat the body as a whole rather than the purely symptoms of a disease or illness. 

Nature to Thank

While conventional or allopathic medicine has become the prominent source we turn to in western culture, many of these medications have herbs to thank for their existence, for example aspirin is derived from White Willow Bark (Salix alba), Digoxin, a heart medication is derived from Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea) & constituents from Wild Yam (Dioscorea villosa) were used to make the contraceptive pill. Also many drinks (sarsaparilla, ginger beer) & confectionary (licorice) originated from herbs, although they are generally far from their traditional form today. 

Visiting a Practitioner

If you are taking herbs you may have seen an herbalist, naturopath or TCM practitioner, or even purchased them over the counter from a health food store or pharmacy. Practitioners focus on the individual to bring about wellness by taking a thorough case history, family history and as will most forms of complimentary medicine, treat the person, not the disease, which means your primary reason for your visit may not necessarily be the first thing addressed in your line of treatment.

About Plant Medicines

Today’s Herbalist is likely use a combination Eastern & Western Herbs as knowledge of the benefits of herbal medicine in different cultures has become widespread and easily available.

The term ‘herb’ covers many culinary (food) flavours you may use regularly in your kitchen that you may not realise have therapeutic benefits

• Leafy herbs - basil, coriander, sage & thyme
• Aromatic seeds - caraway, aniseed, & fennel.
• Fruits & bulbs - garlic, juniper & peppercorns.
• Roots & bark – Cinnamon, Ginger, horseradish

Herbs are also divided into systems, some examples include

• Circulatory (lymphatic & cardiovascular) – Hawthorn, Ginger, Ginkgo Biloba
• Digestive – Dandelion, Gentian, Artichoke, Milk Thistle
• Respiratory – Eyebright, Elder, Sambuccus
• Immune – Echinacea, Astragalus, Ginseng
• Endocrine – Ashwagandha, Ginseng, Fenugreek
• Musculeskeletal – Boswellia, Cat’s claw, Devil’s claw
• Urinary – Nettle, Dandelion leaf, Cranberry
• Integumentary (Skin) – Nettle, Red Clover, Sarsparilla
• Nervous – Chamomile, St John’s Wort, Damiana, Gotu Kola
• Reproductive – Vitex, Saw Palmetto, Black Cohosh, Blue Cohosh

Many herbs cross over into two or more systems, among these systems the herbs have actions such as anti-inflammatory, decongestant, tonic, adaptogen, stimulant, relaxant, hypnotic, sedative, anti-catarrhal, anodyne, emmenagogue, rubefacient, just to name a few.

Parts of the plants used include:

• Leaves
• Flowers
• Fruit e.g. Berries
• All aerial parts
• Root
• Rhizome

Some herbs have medicinal actions from different parts of the plant, for example dandelion leaf is beneficial for the kidneys while the root is used for conditions of the liver.

Herbs can be used or administered in many different forms

• Teas – leafy herbs are infused in boiled water
• Decoctions – woody parts of the herb such as the roots & rhizomes are boiled in water to help break down the outer layer
• Eaten in dishes – culinary herbs & spices
• Fluid Extracts & Tinctures - much stronger than a tea or decoction and therefore requires much smaller doses – the active constituents are usually extracted with alcohol but other agents such as vinegar or glycerine can be used for the elderly and children
  Capsules, Tablets & Pills - to administer dry powdered herbs internally
• Lozenges - for a local affect on the throat
  Suppositories & Pessaries - to administer medicines anally or vaginally
• Douche - useful for local vaginal infections
• Baths & Washes - useful for water soluble components of the herbs to absorb into the skin or for a sitz bath for external infections
• Creams & Lotions - beneficial for surface ailments of the skin such as cuts and rashes
• Ointment or salve - used if the medicinal action is required deeper into the muscle or joint as the ointment aids absorption e.g. comfrey, also known as knit bone is more beneficial used as an ointment for it’s healing effect on the bone. Also helps the plant constituents stay on the skin longer when required externally
• Liniments & Rubs - used for their warming or cooling action
• Compress or Poultice - another way to apply the remedy to the skin using a fluid extract and cloth or cotton wool (compress) or the actual herb itself (poultice)
• Oils – many herbs have volatile oils which are referred to as “essential oils” and used in aromatherapy or by applying the oil to the skin for such uses as massage or skin conditions

There’s also syrups, cold macerations, inhalations, juices, tonic wines, hot and cold infused oils. The way that herbal preparations are applied or taken is quite broad, but many of these methods have disappeared and been forgotten about over the years, considered to be time consuming compared to the convenience of popping a pill from the pharmacy. If you love cooking or being creative in any way, making your own cream or compress can be fun and rewarding.

Use Caution                                      

Being natural doesn’t mean you can automatically assume all herbs are safe. Some have harmful effects and should NOT be taken under any circumstance, while others interact with certain medications and/or are contraindicated in particular health conditions. While there are some herbs that can be taken during pregnancy & breastfeeding there are certainly a lot that should be not, so always seek the advice of a professional trained in herbal medicine when using herbs in any situation.

It is very important that you use this information as a guide and not self-prescribe herbs based on the above information or any other information on this website.
Jellyfish Connection recommends you seek the advice of a qualified herbalist or naturopath before taking any herbs.