Dysmenorrhea

Botanical Medicine: What is it and How can it Help

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Transparent cup of green tea with lime on wooden backgroundBotanical Medicine has been used for thousands of years in so many different forms. Many people think that this is a primitive form of medicine, when in fact it can be quite comparable to some pharmaceutical drugs in some cases. This article looks at what botanical medicine is, how it can be used, and what for.

What is Botanical Medicine?

Botanical medicine involves the use of plants or herbs to achieve therapeutic outcomes. Specific plants or herbs are chosen based off of their medicinal effects in order to aid the individual in question. Botanicals can have multiple effects on multiple organ systems making them quite effective in the sense that they may be able to help with more than one problem. For example, Chamomile can be quite calming on the stomach and promote digestion, but can also be calming on the nervous system, making it potentially beneficial for indigestion and anxiety.

In addition, when more than one herb is combined to achieve a therapeutic goal, they can often have a synergistic effect. What this means is they both possess potent capabilities on their own, but when combined, the effect far exceeds that of them simply being added together. For example, if herb A is 2 and herb b is 2, when added together, you would assume that it would be 4, but it is actually more like 10!

How is Botanical Medicine used?

As alluded to above, herbs can be used on their own or in combination, and can be used in several different forms. They can be made into tinctures, teas, poultices, and salves. Tinctures are alcohol extractions of herbs, often containing a higher dose of herbs in small quantities. Teas are dried herbs that have medicinal properties extracted through hot water. Poultices involve applying herbs topically (externally to the skin). Salves are a combination of herbs in various forms with an ointment.

No form of herbs is necessarily right, but really depends on the patient’s particular case. For example, a poultice may be more appropriate for skin issues than a tincture.

What can botanical medicine be used for?

Botanical Medicine can be used for a variety of concerns. In my practice, I primarily use teas and poultices. I find that both of these forms can be beneficial in quite a few concerns including those listed below.

  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Allergies
  • Anxiety
  • Arthritis
  • Burn out
  • Colds and flus
  • Constipation
  • Coughs
  • Depression
  • Detoxification
  • Diarrhea
  • Diabetes
  • Digestive Concerns
  • Eczema
  • Fatigue
  • Fertility
  • Fevers
  • Fungal Infections
  • Headaches
  • Heartburn/GERD
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • IBS
  • Infections
  • Insomnia
  • Menstrual issues
  • Migraines
  • Pain
  • Psoriasis
  • Stress
  • Weight loss

If you would like a custom tea made specific for you and your health concerns, please contact myself, Dr. Elisha Cook ND via the contact portion of my page and book your appointment today!

Have you benefited from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment, or Tweet this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, contact Dr. Elisha Cook ND by calling 519-537-7058 and book your appointment today!

 

Top 5 Herbal Teas to Keep at Home

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Transparent cup of green tea with lime on wooden backgroundHerbal teas are great not only for their relaxing capacity, but also for their medicinal benefit. Having teas available at home for some common ailments provides a convenient way to have some home treatments, but also to save money and time. The following is a list of a few teas I have at home, that I have found to be beneficial with some common ailments.

Echinacea 

Echinacea is a great tea to keep at home when you feel like you might be coming down with a cold, or just feel the need to “boost” your immune system. It has the most benefits when it is taken right when you start to feel like you might be coming down with something. A great addition to this tea when you are trying to fight that cold is honey for its bacterial fighting capabilities!

Chamomile 

Chamomile is a nice tea to have at home for several reasons. Firstly, chamomile can be beneficial when you have an upset stomach, difficulty digesting food, constipation, or any other difficulties with your gastrointestinal tract. Its calming properties make it beneficial for soothing the gastrointestinal system as well as calming the mind. Specifically, chamomile can be beneficial if you are having a difficult time sleeping. Taking a cup of chamomile before bed might help to prepare your mind and body for sleep.

Green Tea 

I am sure many of you were anticipating this tea being on the list due to all of the hype that this tea often gets. All hype aside, this tea is great for many different circumstances based on its components helping to fight infections, stimulate the mind, and promote health. Green tea helps to kill off infective agents that might be attacking the body, and so is also beneficial when you feel a cold coming on. Green tea also has the unique ability of helping one to regain focus and attention without being as stimulating as coffee. Finally, green tea has many antioxidants making it beneficial for overall health.

Raspberry

Raspberry Leaf is a great tea for females to have on hand, especially when Mother Nature makes her monthly visits. Raspberry leaf tea can be helpful when experiencing cramping from your menstrual period.

Nettle  

Nettle is a great addition to your tea pantry for several reasons. Nettle is able to help “clean” the blood, making it beneficial for acne. For this reason, Nettle tea is also beneficial for helping those who suffer from allergies. As well, Nettle is a herb that has been promoted as a “male tonic”.

Have you  benefitted from reading this blog? Know someone that would benefit as well? Share, Like, Comment or Tweet about this article, and let me know what you think.

Some of the information provided above may not be appropriate for everyone, please consult with your doctor before trying any of the above. If you are interested in Naturopathic Medicine and wanting a different approach to your health care needs, please book an appointment with Elisha Cook at the RSNC today and let me help you achieve your health goals.