Definition: Traditional Herbs
A traditional herb is defined as a botanic material known before history used by native people for their food and/or medicine. In all regions of the world, we owe native people our gratitude for the knowledge handed down to the people of recorded history. For example, where would the British be without the herbal herbs medicine and food plants of their Native Indians – The Scots, Irish, Celts, Picts, Faerie folk. FYI, The natives wore leathers, painted their bodies like Native Americans. They gave the world a grand resource of herbs used in natural medicine today. To mention a few- angelica, garlic, chrysanthemum, hawthorn, digitalis, licorice root, holly, seaweed, many varieties of mushrooms, etc. The past shamans or medicine men and women of all cultures have preserved a rich plant knowledge which many patients are the beneficiary in natural medicine clinics, daily.
Where do traditional herbs come from?
Common sense would tell you that they come from all over the world. All master herbalists acknowledge the source, however, this condition changing rapidly. With civilization growing and not reversing, many species are becoming extinct. Many undiscovered flora are being lost and who knows what benefit has been lost due to greed and failure to be cognizant of how, short term interests, are destroying our current and future quality of life. Around the world, major contributions have been added to the herbal medicine arsenal:
- Asia: Ginsengs, Astragalus, Chinese mushrooms (Yunzhi, Reishi), etc.
- North America: Aloe Vera, American ginseng, Alfalfa, Goldenseal, Milk Thistle
- Central America: peppers, Cumin, Paprika, Oregano, Hibiscus, Coriander, avocado
- South America: Maca, Guarana, Yerba Maté, Pau d’ Arco, Muira Puama, Jatoba, Catuaba
- India: Ashwagandha, Gymnema Sylvestre, Ashoka, Guggulu, Dashmoola
- Africa: Yohimbe, Hoodia, Rooibus, Bangalala, Sacred Blue Lily, Ubulawu, Bush Potato
- Europe: Chamomile, Valerian, Anise, Plantain, Fennel, Rosemary, Senna Leaf
- Australia: Eucalyptus, Tea tree, Wattleseeds, Morama bean & nuts, Bush lime
Benefits of Combining Herbs from Around the World
In the past, most of regional herbal medicine practices have operated separate from the other. Some initial bridges were created in the 1970s, between the US and Europe. With different migrations of Asian medicine practitioners, some trust was developed between specific practitioners and their students. The result was to create student-authors willing to share their knowledge. This raised the general knowledge while allowing more passionate herbalists to further their development. The 1980s began more sharing of the Ayurvedic tradition, These two sophisticated methodologies joining with the Three Americas has yielded a vast exchange of herbal knowledge. This synergy of sharing is improving everyone’s practice. The separatists approach has succumbed to practitioners who are more inclusive and open-minded, Patients are getting better and more impressed with the results. Patients are looking for substitutes for conventional medicine and its here to settle, if unhindered by the Big Pharma interests. The internet is improving information access. The bottom line here is that a single thesis of knowledge will collide with another thesis. The result will be synthesis, if both sides are open, then a new improved idea will take hold. A World Herbal system is here now! Our alternative medicine education systems are assisting. When added up, its a great time for the patient/client. The delivery of treatment is outstanding and progressing.
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