What are Herbs?

Herbs are food. The leaves containing high amounts of phytochemicals have been and are still used for flavoring foods (cooking), providing wonderful smells, as well as other qualities, and are grown in temperate climates, and do not have woody stems. Historically herbs have been used as a form of medicine, as well as for spiritual purposes, etc. Despite the many advances in the field of medicine, the treatment with herbs can and still provides a gentle and safe alternative, or compliment, to modern drugs, as well as other orthodox medical treatments. Did you know that even the World Health Organization (WHO) informs us that 85% of the world’s population still uses herbs as the main form of medical treatment?

Herbs contain a variety of different nutritious and therapeutic constituents, such as vitamins, mineral, trace elements, as well as active ingredients with a variety of medicinal actions. These include volatile oils, tannins, mucilage, alkaloids, bitters, and flavonoids. Herbs are not like drugs, as they cause no side effects (if used properly in conjunction with the recommendation/instruction of a practitioner), nor do they produce an instant miracle cure. They can however bring about miraculous results, but these results come through natural means. One should have a good nutritional base, as well as other natural requisites for health. In so doing, herbs can help the body to heal itself. Not only can herbs be very effective in the process of healing, but they can also be used in prevention as well.

For your convenience many health food stores have herbs, where you can buy them in bulk. Herbs in the form of capsules may be purchased in many places as well.

Further, the general usage of herbs differs when used medicinally. In medicinal or spiritual use any of the parts of the plant might be considered "herbs", including leaves, roots, flowers, seeds, root bark, inner bark, berries and sometimes the ripened wall of a fruit. The fragrant leaves of any yearly or perennial (having a life cycle that usually lasts more than two years). Herbs can be purchased in dried or fresh forms, but for the purposes of helping you to overcome Candida, we will only discuss the dry herbs, Lord-willing.

When buying dried herbs in bulk, it is important to know they are available all year long, and are usually sold in metal or cardboard boxes, bottles, cellophane packages and/or unglazed ceramic pots.

It is important to know that in effort to extend the shelf life of your herbs, you must transfer those in cardboard, tin, unglazed ceramic or cellophane to small glass bottles or jars with screw-top lids. Each time you use the herb, make sure the lid is tightly resealed. By placing dried herbs in a cool, dark place, they will keep for a maximum of 6 months, Lord-willing.

The main therapeutic action of tannins is that of astringent, as a result of their ability to bind albumen, which is a protein that is present in the skin and mucous membranes of the body, to form an insoluble, protective layer that is resistant to disease. This particular protective layer can separate micro-organisms such as bacteria which threaten to invade the body, from the source of their nutrition, either on the skin, or in the linings of the mouth, digestive, respiratory, urinary, and/or reproductive systems. Tannins also have a healing action, protecting areas treated from irritation, while at the same time reducing inflammation. Such herbs are good for compresses to treat cuts and wounds, etc. Thyme and tea tree are good examples of such herbs which can be helpful in the case of Candida in that it helps to re-establish/balance the normal bacterial production in the gut.

Many herbal remedies contain bitter ingredients. They work best in the digestive track, as they stimulate the secretion of the digestive juices and enzymes in the stomach and intestines, and the flow of bile from the liver. They enhance the appetite, improve digestion and absorption. If these herbs are prescribed by a naturopathic doctor, it is usually because the patient has either a sluggish bowel, indigestion, gallbladder and liver problems, gastritis, nervous exhaustion, and or to aid convalescence after the flu or other debilitating illnesses.

Many bitter herbs have other therapeutic actions; as some benefit the immune system, acting as natural antimicrobials and anti neoplastic (anti-tumor) remedies, some have a relaxing effect on the nervous system, others have an anti-inflammatory action. Their beneficial action on the digestive system begins with their effect on the bitter receptors in the mouth, and is best tasted despite how it tastes.

Mucilages are sweet, gel-like substance which has hydroscopic properties, that is, it draws water to it, so that on the addition of water it swells up to form a viscous fluid. Mucilages have wonderful demulcent and emollient properties, forming a protective layer over the mucous membranes and skin, effectively soothing irritation and relieving inflammation.

Saponins are glycosides found widely among medicinal plants which, like soap, form a lather when mixed with water.

Saponins have a wide variety of different therapeutic actions in the body. Some have an expectorant effect; while others act as diuretics. There is some that benefit the circulatory system, reducing fragility of blood vessel walls.

The most interesting as well as most appropriate for treating a wide variety of women’s problems are the steroidal saponins. These are similar in structure and function to the human sex hormones, produced by the ovaries, adrenal glands. As for men, the area is the testes. There are steroidal saponins which resemble estrogen, cortisone, cholesterol, and progesterone and there are some known as tri-terpenoid saponins which act to regulate the steroidal hormone activity in the body and to counter stress. Any remedies with hormone-regulating properties are known as “adaptohens”.

Anthraquinones are glycosides which are yellow in appearance acting to stimulate muscular contractions of the large intestine, with a laxative like effect. Such laxative like herbs are best used on a short term basis when treating constipation while dealing with the underlying causes for longer use can reduce normal bowel reflexes and cause habituation.

Flavonoids or flavonoids glycosides are responsible for the yellow or orange color in fruits like oranges and lemons, and veggies such as carrots. A lot of flavonoids, as in parsley, have a diuretic action; some, such as licorice, are antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory; while others are antiseptic, such as Calendula. Calendula is helpful for Candida sufferers in that it helps to stimulate the immune system, enabling it to fight off infection. Further, an infusion of Calendula stimulates the circulation, thus promoting perspiration, helping the body to better deal with toxins and possible skin eruptions one may get during the healing crisis.

This particular aspect of the herb has a strengthening as well as healing effect on the walls of blood vessels and are used to treat problems such as capillary fragility, tendency to bruising and nosebleeds, and high blood pressure.

From one plant to another, alkaloids vary widely in their components and their actions, but are all compounds that contain nitrogen. They tend to have potent effects and in some cases are toxic in large amounts—they are frequently found in herbs whose use is restricted to qualified herbalists and doctors in specified doses, and are often unsuitable for home use, as they are morphine from the opium poppy, nicotine in tobacco, atrophine in deadly nightshade, caffeine and theobromide in coffee, back tea, and cocoa. Golden seal is one such herb many have found to be beneficial in dealing with Candida.

Alkaloids also occur in small non-toxic amounts in some medicinal herbs whereby acting as catalysts to other healing agents without being involved themselves.

As previously mentioned, plants contain phytochemicals that have effects on the body. Herbs have long been used as the basis of traditional Chinese herbal medicine, with usage dating as far back as the first century CE.

In the religions of Christianity and Al-Islam, the followers are encouraged to use herbs, as in the Bible the word herb appears in Genesis 1:29-30, where God tells His servants that herbs will be used for medicine, and for food, as well as meat. In Ezekiel 47:12 where God’s servants are told that the bark and the leaf of the tree will be used as medicine, and that the fruit of the tree will be used as meat. Further, in Alma 46:39-41 speaks about the religious history of the Native Americans having used herbs and roots to take away the very cause of disease. In the Qur’an in Surah (Chapter) Baqarah 2: 61, it says that the people of Musa (Moses) complained that they could not endure one kind of food that he (Moses) should request for the people what the earth grows, its herbs, cucumbers, wheat or garlic, lentils and onions. It is apparent that the people of Musa knew of benefits of herbs, as well as vegetables, and grains, hence their request.

King Solomon is said to have written a book on herbs, whereby it gave botanical remedies for every known disease. There were only two copies of this book, one copy was held in a temple in Jerusalem, while the other was said to have been in the library of Alexandria. Unfortunately both were destroyed. The first copy was said to have been destroyed by the Roman general Titus during the fall of the ancient city of the Jews. As for the second copy, it too was destroyed.

The early Egyptians in using the Papyrus, it is depicted with descriptions of ailments of the people, as well as the herbs used as the remedies. In the tomb of King Tut, not only were there treasures and jewelry, but herbs as well.

The earliest book on medicinal herbs was written by the Emperor Shen-ung around 3000 years B.C.

Hippocrates is remembered as being the father of medicine, as he is attributed with the conception of diagnosis. Hence the Hippocratic Oath is still the standard of ethical behaviors of physicians, swearing that they would give no poisonous remedies to their patients. There are between three and four hundred plants mentioned in what is known as the Hippocratic Writings.

The early practices of medicine were based on herbs, herbal remedies and herbal practices.

In the early history of the US, most of the doctors were herbal doctors. Let’s not forget how the Native Americans helped the early explorers in using herbs for beriberi and rickets! To elaborate, the tradition of the Native Americans extend to the present day, where there were/are medicine men, herbal chiefs, and wizards, all of whom are well versed in herbal medicine.

Looking at other groups, other Africans besides the Egyptians are also well versed in the use of herbal medicine. So too are the Sumatra in Brazil.

Herbs not only feed, and regulate the body, but they cleanse the body as well. Herbs are very high in vitamins, especially minerals. Referring back to when we talked about nutrition and whole food nutrition, we have come to know that the organs and glands of the body require rich sources of vitamins and minerals in order to function adequately, so any herb containing these particular elements is going to be good for that organ, because it contains the minerals or elements which that organ requires.

One herb may benefit many other parts of the body. For example, if the liver is malfunctioning from lack of iron, and an herb is taken with iron in it, the liver will benefit, Lord-willing. Further, any time the liver malfunctions, the corresponding parts of the body will also malfunction, all because the liver isn’t able to do its job of purifying the blood. The opposite is also true, in that if the liver is strengthened and begins to perform its blood-purifying function again, the rest of the body will likewise be strengthened. The human body is very complex in that what strengthens one part correspondingly strengthens other parts, and what harms one part also harms other parts.

As you can see, there is so much to know and understand regarding herbs, that it is best since an herbalist, or naturopathic doctor/practitioner has studied/specialized in this area and would best be consulted prior to the use of herbs. I have put this information here so that you can make an informed decision about herbs and seeking a good practitioner so that the two of you can work harmoniously to ensure you will attain the best results for your condition Lord-willing.

The side effects of herbs can be similar to that of detoxing (cold, flu—headaches, vomiting, chills, dizziness, skin irritations/rashes), upset stomach to diarrhea, etc.

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