Herbal Medicine: Benefits, Types, And How To Use (A Beginner’s Guide)

Everything you need to know about herbal medicine.

Photo by Lisa Hobbs on Unsplash

You can use various natural modalities to boost and nourish your overall well-being. One of which is by using herbal medicine.

These plant-derived substances have a plethora of health benefits. They support the immune, cardiovascular, and digestive systems.

Practitioners often administer them in tea, tincture, or powder form.

If you’re new to herbal medicine and wondering how it might benefit you, carry on reading this post.

What Are Herbal Medicines?

Herbal medicines are substances or solutions derived from plants. Practitioners use the plant as a whole or single part, like the roots, flowers, bulb, stem, or bark. They’re used to support, nourish, and restore your health. Because they have slow-acting, long-lasting benefits, they’re often used for long periods.

Benefits

Natural medicine is slowly making its way into the wellness industry — and for good reason. They are believed to enhance the immune system, muscular strength, and the body’s ability to yield and maintain energy. Here are some benefits of herbs:

• Strengthen and tone your immune, digestive, and cardiovascular systems.
• Create more white blood cells in your body.
• Increase your stamina and longevity.
• Help you cope better with stress in your environment.

Types

Herbs used to support your well-being typically fall under one umbrella- botanical medicine. Different concoctions target different body parts, so they’re categorized according to the role they’re meant to fulfill. Here’s a list of plant medicines. This list is not exhaustive.

Adaptogens

Adaptogens help your immune system adjust and adapt to modern-day stresses. They regulate your body’s homeostasis and enhance your stamina. When your body’s functioning is suppressed, they improve your energy. Conversely, if your immune system is overactive, they reduce overactivity.

A few examples include:

• Ginseng
• Stinging Nettle
• Ashwagandha
• Burdock
• Holy Basil
• Rhodiola Rosea

Alteratives

Commonly described as blood purifiers, alteratives are used to gradually alter your metabolic system and ease conditions caused by toxins. They enhance the organs’ ability to eliminate waste and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.

Examples include:

• Barberry
• Red Clover
• Plantain
• Sarsaparilla
• Figwort
• Echinacea
• Blue flag

Astringents

Astringents tighten skin cells and muscles. They prevent bacterial infection and stop discharges, diarrhea, or hemorrhages.

Here are some examples of such:

• Witch hazel
• Bistorta
• Bayberry
• White oak
• Blackberry
• Avens
• Calendula

Bitters

As the name suggests, bitters are formulated from herbs with a harsh taste. They support gut health, and practitioners often prescribe them to ease gas and bloating and strengthen the liver.

A few bitters include:

• Angelica
• Dandelion root
• Licorice root
• Wormwood

Carminatives/Aromatics

Aromatics have very intense flavors because of the presence of volatile oils. They enhance energy and vitality, open air passages, and aid blood flow. Also, they relieve flatulence and flatulent pain (colic).

Some examples of carminatives are:

• Capsicum (Cayenne Pepper)
• Ginger
• Cloves
• Anise
• Cumin
• Fennel
• Lemon balm

Anthelmintics

These plants act as vermicides and are used to kill and expel intestinal worms.

These include:

• Hyssop
• Papaya
• Butternut
• Pomegranate
• Wormwood
• Bitterwood
• Garlic

Antibiotics

Antibiotics are used to prevent the growth of bacteria. They can also be prescribed to kill any present bacteria.

Examples include.

• Eucalyptus
• Mullein
• Peruvian bark
• Propolis
• Bitter orange
• Myrrh
• Horseradish

Antiseptics

Antiseptics prevent the breakdown of organic tissue and the growth of microorganisms.

Common ones include:

• Pine
• St John’s wort
• White pond lily
• Eucalyptus
• Echinacea
• Goldenseal
• Calendula

Antispasmodics

These herbs are used to support the muscular system. They can stop or prevent muscular spasms and ease muscle cramps, menstrual cramps, asthma, and other muscle-related irritations or contractions.

Go-to’s include:

• Lobelia
• Lady’s slipper
• Wild yam root
• Valerian
• Black cohosh
• Blue cohosh
• Chamomile

Cathartics

Any herbs under this category stimulate bile secretion and bowel excretion. They can also expel worms after an antiparasitic herb has been used. E

Here are some examples:

• Jalapa
• Rhubarb
• Senna
• May-apple
• Culver’s root
• Butternut
• Castor oil

Demulcents

These offer therapeutic relief for mucous-secreting glands. Demulcents soften, soothe, reduce irritation, and protect mucous membranes.

Examples of such include:

• Chickweed
• Coltsfoot
• Slippery elm
• Irish moss
• Comfrey
• Marshmallow
• Goldenseal

Diaphoretics

Herbs under this category increase perspiration and improve the body’s ability to excrete toxins through sweat glands.

These include:

• Catnip
• Crawley root
• Ginger
• Spearmint
• Yarrow
• Boneset
• Blue vervain

Diuretics

These plants increase the flow of urine.

Here are some diuretics:

• Stinging nettle
• Stone root
• Cleavers
• Couch grass
• Wild carrot
• Buchu
• Broom tops

Emetics

Herbs mainly used to induce vomiting are known as emetics.

Common choices include:

• Ipecacuanha
• Lobelia
• Mustard seeds

Emmenagogues

Any type of herb that causes uterine contraction and promotes menstrual flow.

Some examples include:

• Black cohosh
• Life root
• Dong Quai
• Mugwort
• Pulsatilla
• Rue
• Tansy
• Southernwood

Laxatives

Herbs used to promote gentle bowel movement fall under this category.

These include:

• Castor oil
• Chia seeds
• Cascara
• Olive oil
• Senna
• Licorice
• Flaxseeds

Nervines/sedatives

Commonly known as a nervous system supporting herbs, nervines nourish the nervous system and encourage peaceful sleep.

Examples include:

• Hops
• Mistletoe
• Passionflower
• Skullcap
• Lavender
• Valerian
• Betony
• European vervain

Stimulants

Stimulants stimulate the nervous system so the body can fight infections. They increase and strengthen the pulse and restore weakened circulation.

These include:

• Cayenne
• Snakeroot
• Ginger
• Horseradish
• Wintergreen
• Prickly ash

Stomachics

Herbs of this nature help stimulate the secretion of gastric juices.

Examples include:

• Columbo
• Gentian
• Meadowsweet
• Sweet flag
• Bitterwood
• Avens

Tonics

Tonics are used to improve general well-being, while others are used to support specific organs like the liver, heart, or kidney.

Examples of tonics include:

• Valerian
• Dandelion
• Hawthorn berries

Are Herbal Medicines Safe To Use?

Plant medicines are generally safe to use. When people refer to these therapies, it’s often about herbs that can be used long-term with little to no side effects.

if you want to start incorporating them into your diet, err on the safe side and work closely with a registered herbalist or practitioner. Some herbs are known to interact with conventional drugs.

How To Use

Herbs are natural in their makeup and possess little to no side effects if used in their proper doses. Here’s a general guide on how you can properly use these herbs. Plus, some herbal medicine recipes you can try at home. Refer to the types of herbs above to conjure your concoction.

Capsule:

Take 1–2 a day.

Herbal Powders:

Mix ½- 1 teaspoon into your food or beverage.

Tinctures:

Tinctures are infused in a solvent like alcohol to extract the active properties of the herbs.

To make:

1. Add 4oz (120g) coarsely powdered or cut herbs to 1 pint (500ml) of 90 proof (180%ABV) vodka or gin.
2. Let the concoction sit for two weeks, shaking daily.
3. Strain and store in amber or heat-resistant glass bottles.
4. Take 25 (10–15 for more powerful herbs) drops in a cup (250ml) of water three times a day.

Infusion

Infusions are made from leaves, flowers, or any soft part of a plant that can steep in water.

To make:

1. Place ½ to 1oz (15 to 30g) of dried or fresh leaves in a cup.
2. Pour 1 pint (500ml) of boiled water over the herbs.
3. Allow the herbs to steep for 5–10 minutes.
4. Drink one cup three times a day.

Topicals

Ointments, salves, or other forms of topicals are a combination of herbs, carrier oils like castor or coconut oil, and hardeners like beeswax or candelilla. They’re meant to be used externally.

To make:

1. Heat 50g of herbs in 500 ml carrier oil of choice for up to three hours.
2. Within the last five minutes, add 5–10g of beeswax.
3. Transfer to glass jars and let the mixture harden.
4. Apply salve, balm, or ointment to the affected area as needed throughout the day.

Syrups

Syrups are concentrated solutions made with herbs and a sweetener of your choice. They relieve coughs or sore throats.

To make:

1. Add 1 oz (30g) of herbs to 2 cups (500ml) of water.
2. Simmer down to 1 ½ cups (375ml).
3. Strain and sweeten as desired.
4. Take 1 teaspoon (5ml) two to three times a day.

Poultice

These are warm, moist applications of crushed herbs made into a paste and applied externally/topically.

To make:

1. Crush fresh herbs and moisten them with hot water.
2. Apply directly to the skin or place the mixture between a gauze and hold it in place with tape or elastic bandage.
3. Leave it on for 3 hours.

Conclusion

Herbs have been used for thousands of years for medicinal purposes and are gaining traction in the wellness industry. Because of their abundant health benefits, people are gradually incorporating these botanicals into their diets to help cope with life’s daily demands.

From strengthening the body’s system as a whole to restoring individual organs, they are becoming the go-to for optimum health.

What’s convenient is that they come in various forms that cater to people with differing lifestyles. If you’ve ever wanted to explore the world of herbal medicine, it’s worth talking to a practitioner to find suitable ones for your condition.