The Therapeutic Functions of Herbal Remedies
This article was written and reviewed by Dr. Rita Louise, PhD, ND.
For those new to the world of herbal medicine, herbal remedies and herbal therapy, the most extraordinary and tantalizing thing about herbs are their proven action and their incredible versatility. The effects of herbs are due in part to their active constituents. Active constituents are particular chemicals and combination of chemicals and oils that are present in each specific plant that works together synergistically to give the plant its specific therapeutic value.
Therapeutically, the goal of herbal medicine and 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. Herbal remedies don’t function that way. Herbs work to feed the body the nutrients it needs so that 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.
3) they can be used to help the body build or tone an organ.
Common Therapeutic Herbs for Your Home Apothecary
To understand the versatility of phytotherapy, we can look at a few “cornerstone” herbs that serve multiple functions in the body. These are excellent starting points for those new to natural medicine.
Ginger (Zingiber officinale): A potent anti-inflammatory and circulatory stimulant. Ginger is highly effective for nausea and is often used in clinical settings to reduce systemic inflammation.
Peppermint (Mentha x piperita): Primarily used for its antispasmodic properties, Peppermint is a staple for digestive health. It helps soothe the smooth muscles of the GI tract, making it effective for bloating and indigestion.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): This is a powerful immunomodulator. Rather than just “boosting” the immune system, it helps regulate the body’s response to pathogens, making it a go-to for the early stages of the common cold.
Milk Thistle (Silybum marianum): Known for its active constituent, silymarin, this herb is essential for liver detoxification. It supports the organ-building function by protecting liver cells from toxins and aiding in cellular repair.
The Rule of Healing: Timeline for Chronic Conditions
When working with herbal remedies, some people notice an improvement in symptoms within a few days of starting an herbal medicine program. 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 of working with herbal remedies to begin to correct itself.
Individuals suffering from long-term chronic conditions should stay on their herbal medicine 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 just a guideline, but it does tend to put a bit of perspective on the use of herbs.
So while we have talked about using herbal therapies to help the body rebuild itself from chronic illnesses, herbal remedies can also be used to address a number minor health concerns that we may experience as part of our everyday lives. For example, herbs can be used to reduce pain and inflammation in the body. They can be used to kill the bacteria and viruses associated with the common cold or the flu. They can be used calm us down, speed us up and even spice up our sex life.
Safety and Herb-Drug Interactions
There is a vast amount of information online that discuss the nature and properties of herbs, herbal medicine, and herbal therapies. While herbs are natural, they can be potent. Because herbal remedies contain complex chemical constituents, they can interact with conventional pharmaceuticals. For example, herbs like St. John’s Wort can alter the metabolism of many prescription drugs. As a Naturopathic Physician, I always recommend consulting with a qualified healthcare practitioner before starting a new protocol, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking maintenance medications.
As a Naturopathic Physician, I view herbal medicine through the lens of phytotherapy—the use of plant-derived medications in the treatment and prevention of disease. This discipline is rooted in pharmacognosy, the study of medicinal drugs derived from plants and other natural sources.
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About The Author
Dr. Rita Louise is a Naturopathic Physician who specializes in medical intuition. She has over 30 years of clinical experience in holistic wellness and trauma recovery. She is the founder of the Institute of Applied Energetics and a bestselling author of seven books on health, healing, psychology and the human experience. Dr. Louise holds a PhD in Natural Health Counseling and is a recognized expert in the mind-body connection. Her work focuses on patient advocacy and empowering individuals through informed health choices. Connect with Dr. Rita’s research on Substack or explore her clinical services at SoulHealer.com.
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Medical Disclaimer:This article is for informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Use of this site does not create a doctor-patient relationship.