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Therapeutically, the goal of herbal therapy is to help the body cleanse itself and heal naturally. In today’s society, we have become accustomed to magic bullets and instant fixes. Herbs don’t function that way. Herbs work to feed the body the nutrients it needs so our bodies can heal themselves. Herbs have three general functions in the body 1) they can be used to help the body eliminate or detoxify; 2) they can help the body "maintain" by counteracting physical symptoms, thus allowing the body to heal or 3) they can be used to help the body build or tone an organ. When working with herbal remedies, some notice an improvement of symptoms within a few days. Chronic health problems, on the other hand, often take longer to resolve themselves. As a general rule, you should allow the body a minimum of three months to correct itself. Individuals suffering from long term chronic conditions should stay on their herbal program for an additional month for every year they have experienced their health concern. So for example, if you’re working on a problem you’ve had for two years, give your body three months plus an additional two months to correct itself. This is obviously just a guideline, but it does tend to put a bit of perspective into the use of herbs. So while we have talked about using herbal therapies to help the body rebuild itself from chronic illnesses, herbs can also be used to address a number of minor health concerns that we may experience as part of our every day lives. For example, herbs can be used to reduce pain and inflammation. They can be used to kill the bacteria and viruses associated with the common cold or flu. They can be used to calm us down, speed us up and even spice up our sex life. Around the world, there are hundreds of herbs and medicinal plants that are currently being used to improve health. If you have never worked with herbs before, it is best to start off with a few herbs, work with them for a while and then expand your repertoire over time. To help you get started, I have provided you with a number of herbs that can be used to meet many health conditions you may experience. This should get you well on your way to working with herbs and herbal remedies. Aloe Vera — (Aloe Vera) Aloe Vera gel is considered one of the most effective healing agents for treatment of burns and injuries. It is also considered one of the best herbal laxatives available. Its soothing, cleansing properties help the body maintain healthy tissues. Buchu — (Agathosma Betulina) Buchu is often used to treat inflammation of the urethra, blood in the urine, bladder infections and other chronic urinary tract disorders. Cascara Sagrada — (Rhamnus purshiana) Cascara Sagrada is a popular treatment for chronic constipation because it is not habit-forming. It is used to increase the secretion of digestive fluids, create large soft bowel movements, and stimulate the peristaltic action of the colon.
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Nature’s Pharmacy…
