How Herbal Medicine Works 

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Through the use of herbal medicine, the guiding principle is to support the body’s natural healing capacities. Herbs are used to help restore and maintain three important bodily functions: digestion and assimilation, sleep, and elimination. When the body is performing these three functions with ease, it is better able to prevent dis-ease and illness and to repair and heal any damage that has already occurred.

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Herbalists are trained not only in the unique characteristics and uses of individual herbs, but also in a wholistic system or framework for understanding how physical and emotional issues affect overall well being and disrupt balance in the body and spirit.  It is this framework that guides an herbalist’s selection of which herbs to use and how to formulate them.

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Healing Power of Herbs

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Herbs can be used effectively for prevention, acute health issues, as well as chronic health problems. Herbs prevent illness by regulating and facilitating good digestion, elimination, and sleep so your body is able to maintain and heal itself. For acute and minor health issues, like colds, flus, allergies, sinus issues, and physical injury, herbs and herbal formulas can be used both externally and internally in these situations both to resolve the underlying cause and to speed recovery.

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Herbs are very effective in working with chronic diseases and health issues such as chronic fatigue, PMS and concerns associated with menopause, insomnia, headaches, allergies, anemia, and arthritis. Because of the wholistic context for practicing herbal medicine, herbs often simultaneously and effectively help seemingly unconnected symptoms or issues.  Herbs also work well in conjunction with conventional medicine with these types of chronic health issues. Once chronic illnesses or life stresses have (or are in the process) of depleting the body, herbs offer an extremely effective and gentle way of building and maintaining energy, strength, and stamina.