In the science of Ayurveda, more than 5000 healing herbs are used for the treatments of various ailments. Healing herbs play an integral role in Ayurveda, being used in both internal and external therapies. Some of these are especially versatile and well-matched for resolving common problems we encounter today and have become popular remedies and preventive supplements for a variety of conditions. As more and more people become aware of the potential risks and side effects of Western drugs, they have begun seeking out natural alternatives with healing herbs.
Pharmacies around the world are increasingly boasting an ever-growing selection of herbal products and supplements designed to treat a host of symptoms, everything from hormonal imbalances to blood sugar levels that need stabilising. People are turning back to nature with healing herbs to treat, manage and cure their medical imbalances. Ayurveda was the first health system in the world to utilise herbs for medicinal benefits, influencing several other medicinal systems and becoming the basis of modern herbology and homoeopathy.
The Increase of Herbal Medicines
The majority of the world find nothing new about herbal medicine, in fact, it is estimated by the World Health Organization that eighty per cent of the population worldwide makes use of traditional medicines and remedies which are made from plants. As a science, one of the core concepts in Ayurveda is about balance, balance in sleep, balance in food, balance in exercise, activity, all those things, and once you have created a balance, everything functions properly in the body.
Ayurveda utilises and recommends a wide range of herbs, from Ginger to Triphala, to treat and heal the body from within. In the United States alone, there has been a documented increase in the use of herbal supplements. In 2012, one in five Americans was using herbal, nonvitamin supplements, and that number has continued to increase. Americans spent at least $21 billion on herbs and other dietary supplements in 2015.
Statistics from the National Institutes of Health show that a third of Americans make use of alternative medicines and remedies, including herbal supplements, Yoga, Meditation, Ayurveda and acupuncture. Herbal cures and remedies also prove attractive as an alternative to pharmaceuticals is the fact that they offer all of the same benefits as common pharmaceuticals, with little to no risk of side effects.
A Return To The Roots Of Cures
For example, there is no documented side effect of consuming to much Ginger, except to make your food or tea to pungently spicy, or Curcumin the active compound found in turmeric, besides staining your hands and dished yellow. Our bodies are able to recognize plant-based ingredients, allowing them to cooperate more with our systems
Herbal treatments also are far more desirable than conventional medication because they are so much more affordable than pharmaceutical drugs. For example, the manufactured pharmaceutical treatment for arthritis drug Celebrex retails at more than $120 for a monthly supply, an Ayurvedic arthritis treatment, like a ginger supplements cost about 38¢ per day. Even less expensive would be the addition of freshly grated ginger to your meals and teas.
Little To No Side Effects
Herbal teas contribute to a large part of the Ayurvedic diet and in many cases are actually viewed as a medicinal treatment. Whereas most pharmaceutical drugs are intended for a single purpose, each herbal tea and most herbs have a multitude of numerous benefits. Ginger tea is not only medicinal for arthritis, but also a powerful aid for improving digestion and reducing inflammation.
Fennel tea relieves gas, bloating, and constipation while also detoxifying the liver. Similarly, peppermint tea relieves nausea, nausea, vomiting, and stomachaches, while also cooling the body. Specific herbs are recommended for each body type, season, and environment. And making your own Ayurvedic herbal teas to reap the benefits in the most natural form, without the potential risk of chemicals in conventional tea bags is particularly easy.
A Garden Pharmacy
Fennel seeds, grated ginger, peppermint and turmeric are all you need in some cases, often making the remedy much more affordable than buying conventional tea! Most of the ingredients of the tea Ayurveda recommends can be used in cooking as well, and you don’t need too many staples. For teas where you may not have the original ingredient, you can purchase loose-leaf tea. Loose-leaf tea is always preferable to bagged tea to avoid potential toxins and pesticides.
Our next blog post will offer a list of some of the most used herbs In Ayurveda, along with the benefits they bring.
