herbal medicine

My 5 most popular herbal medicine posts:

As a herbalist, part of my work involves the need to keep up with current research. Actually, as a bit of a science geek, it is a part I really enjoy. And especially I have to admit that it is very satisfying when published research supports years of traditional herbal use. Particularly when previous unfavourable scientific theories about herbs are shown to be incorrect. Now scientists are realising that the gut microbiome can transform herbal constituents into new compounds. So, we are seeing research that explains how herbal medicines work from a modern perspective.

With the rise of research into the gut microbiome scientists are finding that the gut microbiome has important roles that were previously unknown. One of these roles is the conversion of herbal constituents that scientists believed to be inert. And these new compounds are often powerful remedies that the body can use.

Of course, herbalists have known all along that herbal medicines can provide powerful healing benefits. But, in some cases, there may not have been a known mechanism of medicine action. Now, with the new understanding of the effects of the gut microbiome, we are learning how at least some of these amazing remedies can have powerful effects on the body. Sometimes benefits that were previously dismissed by the scientific community. So, once again we find that science supports what people have known for centuries.

But is there even more to it?

However, taking this one step further, with this new understanding of the microbiome, there is an explanation of why some herbs, and indeed some prescribed drugs do not work for everyone.

Every person has a unique gut microbiome, a bit like a fingerprint. This uniqueness can now explain the importance of a healthy gut environment and a wide diversity of microbial species. After all, if a person does not have the particular species of microbe that is able to convert a herb (or drug) into the active medicinal components then the herb (or drug) may not work for that person.

So, this new understanding of how herbal medicines work underlines the fact that good gut health is a key component for maintaining and improving health in general.

What’s the difference between herbal medicine and homeopathy

December 9, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Herbal medicine and homeopathy have similarities but they are not the same. They differ in both the remedy itself and also in how the remedy is chosen. Let me explain…

Herbal medicine

Herbal remedies can be either the medicinal plant material itself or an extract produced from it. In some cases, the remedy might be a whole plant including the leaves, stems and roots. More often a remedy is from a specific part of the plant such as the flowers, bark, leaves, berries, seeds or roots. For example, elderflowers, willow bark, peppermint leaves, goji berries, fennel seeds and dandelion roots are all herbal medicines. So, how do we use these plants to make herbal medicine? We can sometimes extract the herbs with just water, as in making a herbal tea, infusion or decoction. Or, we can make a tincture using a mixture of alcohol and water. There are other herbal preparations but as a herbalist, the herbal infusions and tinctures are the extracts I use most often. [Read more…]

Herbal medicine in cancer care

November 14, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Sky News is reporting today on the use of herbal remedies by breast cancer patients. The article includes comments made by a breast cancer surgeon suggesting that using herbal remedies may do more harm than good and delay the recovery of cancer patients.

The article goes on to say that complementary therapies such as herbal medicine are growing in popularity amongst breast cancer patients. I do not disagree; in fact, I would say that many cancer patients, not just breast cancer patients, are looking for natural therapies to help them in their fight against cancer. Indeed, the research shows that as many as 88% of cancer patients turn to herbal medicine and other complementary therapies, suggesting that these patients have a need that is not being met by conventional medicine. [Read more…] about Herbal medicine in cancer care

Rosehips improve osteoarthritis symptoms

October 21, 2019 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world. It causes destruction of the cartilage and other parts of the joints, mainly in the hands, knees, hips or the spine. The damage leads to the osteoarthritis symptoms of joint pain and stiffness, which impair joint function and inevitably impact on quality of life.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are not the best choice of medicine for osteoarthritis for the reasons I discuss here. Yet, the medic’s preferred long term medication paracetamol is not all that effective for relieving the pain of osteoarthritis. One reason for this may be that paracetamol is not a strong anti-inflammatory. [Read more…] about Rosehips improve osteoarthritis symptoms

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by bacteria

November 26, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic arthritic condition of the joints. Like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis causes joint pain, swelling and stiffness, but these conditions are very different. While osteoarthritis is considered a disease of wear and tear, rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Which means that instead of protecting the body against an invader, the immune system turns on it’s own body tissues, in this case the joints, especially of the hands, feet and wrists.

In developed countries such as the UK, around 1% of the population may have rheumatoid arthritis. It is a condition that tends to run in families, and it affects around three times as many women as men.

Understanding the underlying causes and triggers for a condition like rheumatoid arthritis can help us understand how we might be able to prevent its occurrence or progression. So this is an important part of the research into rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune diseases. Scientists searching for the cause of rheumatoid arthritis believe that bacteria play an important part. In particular, at least for rheumatoid arthritis, certain types of Proteus bacteria that can cause urinary tract infections have been implicated. [Read more…] about Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by bacteria

Simple strategies for preventing a common cold

October 1, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Are you one of the lucky ones that never seems to catch a cold? If not then you might want to read on. This article is for those people who want to know about some evidence based strategies for preventing a common cold.

Of course there are plenty of remedies for reducing the symptoms and duration of a cold, but isn’t it true that prevention is better than cure? In fact, in traditional medicine systems such as herbal medicine, the ability to resist infections comes down to the innate health and vitality of the individual. A person in robust health is more able to resist infections such as the common cold. So, a herbalist would seek to support the vitality or vital force of the person so that they are less liable to infection and better able to resist disease. [Read more…] about Simple strategies for preventing a common cold

Does ginger protect against stomach ulcers?

September 10, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Ginger is a well known pungent, culinary spice, but it also has remarkable health-promoting properties. For instance, I’ve previously written about the use of ginger for easing painful periods and preventing menstrual migraines. But, ginger offers much more than pain relief. In this scientific review in the Royal Society of Chemistry Journal: Food and Function, researchers discuss the potential ability of ginger to protect against stomach ulcer.

The culinary and medicinal part of ginger is the rhizome, often described as a root, but actually an underground plant stem. Thought to have it’s origins in northern India, the remedy is now grown in many parts of the world. No doubt, at least partly due to its valuable contribution to several systems of traditional herbal medicine, including Chinese, Ayurvedic, Unani, Arabic, Greek and Roman. [Read more…] about Does ginger protect against stomach ulcers?

Peppermint and recurrent cold sore infections

September 3, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Cold sores are a common skin and mucous membrane condition caused by the herpes simplex virus 1. This virus is easily passed between people on contact. In fact, many people may be infected without realising. After the initial viral invasion, whether it shows on the skin or not, the virus remains in the body. It is hidden from the immune system. Yet, the virus can still cause recurring infections. I wrote about ways to minimise this. See my article Stop cold sores coming back. However, researchers believe that the herbal medicine peppermint may destroy the herpes virus on the skin. So peppermint may have the potential to limit the spread of a cold sore infection. [Read more…] about Peppermint and recurrent cold sore infections

Experts confirm herbal medicines may protect against drug-resistant infection

June 18, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

My mother often speaks of the father that she adored. A man that I never met. He died long before I was born, of tuberculosis (TB). Only a short time before the release of the antibiotics that his family believed could have cured his disease.

In fact, the discovery of antibiotics heralded an era in which people in the developed world lost their fear of bacterial infections. Indeed, when I was offered a TB vaccination at school, my mother said we should decline as TB was now curable. Yet, in this recently published expert review, researchers describe a new situation, where modern drugs are losing their ability to protect us from disease, and new solutions must be found. Herbal medicines are one area of intense research for potential remedies. [Read more…] about Experts confirm herbal medicines may protect against drug-resistant infection

Herbal remedies to reduce menopausal hot flashes

June 4, 2018 by nikki hawkes Leave a Comment

Hot flashes are one of the most common problems of menopause. That periodic, sudden rush of heat and resultant drenching sweat can be most troublesome. Though many ladies turn to hormone therapy to help them through this time, there are concerns about how safe these medications are in the longer term. Which is why complementary therapies such as herbal medicines are a popular choice. A recent review of scientific studies shows that there are plenty of herbs with the ability to reduce the physical and psychological effects of menopause, including hot flashes.

The changes that occur prior to menopause, a time called perimenopause, occur in relation to a reduction in the number of ovarian follicles. This period can last for several years and usually starts in a woman’s 40s. It is a time of dramatic change in hormonal balance. Once the follicles are gone, the menses cease and menopause begins. This usually happens around the age of 50, but again there is quite a bit of variation, based on a woman’s genetics, nutrition and lifestyle factors such as smoking. [Read more…] about Herbal remedies to reduce menopausal hot flashes