How To Get Rid Of Pain Naturally (Using Herbs)

In the past few years, the whole "all-natural" movement has been gaining ground as evidenced by aggressive marketing of alternative health products from weight-loss diet pills to cold medications all marked as "derived from nature." Of late, Western medicine is trying its best to join the alternative health bandwagon by researching on ancient herbal remedies that have been in use in more primitive cultures for centuries. This is also the reason for the sudden increase of natural pain relief medications.

Western medical science is still studying the host of ingredients and combinations that make up these natural pain relief, before any major investment is made by pharmaceutical companies, production-wise. There are a few "naturally made" medications already being sold on the market, but most of the traditional natural pain relief remedies have yet to be tested by neutral research laboratories. Most developed countries have employed strict standards regarding medical testing, and, as a consequence, has slowed down the release of herbal or natural pain relief medications.

However, in less developed countries, the natural pain relief remedies are still in frequent use and are, in fact, more popular than western medicine. This is particularly true outside of urban communities, where Western medical procedures and tools are either inaccessible or too expensive for the people. With the herbs and ingredients being readily available, and the people being aware of which plants work for what ailments, the process of using these natural pain relief methods is significantly simpler. While Western medicine recognizes this, there are several concerns that prevent the herbs and ingredients being used from being introduced to the mainstream.

Aside from the aforementioned testing procedures, developed countries have research being conducted to find out what exactly is making the natural healing methods work. This would allow pharmaceutical companies to both present the medication in the traditional capsule or pill form by isolating the key ingredient, but also by allowing them to study the effects and pinpoint other potential applications.

Another difficulty is the prevalent belief that herbal remedies or traditional medicines are somehow "inferior" or are fraudulent, as compared to Western medicines. While this view is archaic, this has been cited as one of the reasons why traditional Chinese medicines not being widely used outside of Chinese communities in the US. Supposedly, the extensive testing and study conducted by pharmaceutical companies on natural "pain killing" also involves the isolation of the working compound, which would allow them to market it as a "modern" drug.

It is also worth noting that some of these remedies may not be easily accessible to outsiders, making procuring samples difficult. With samples to test being so difficult to obtain, companies are rendered incapable of marketing the remedies, even if the chemistry behind the herbs is sound and effective. Another problem stems from the fact that most outsiders are incapable of understanding the cultural subtleties differentiating one herbal treatment from another.

Despite these difficulties, some pharmaceutical companies have managed to successfully field and market effective remedies based on folk treatments and herbs. There is an extant market for such remedies, and with massive advertising and media mileage, the market is expected to boom in no time at all.

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Author: Harry Ayala

What Are “Certified Organic Herbs” ?

Bulk organic herbs are more economical to purchase than buying them in small bottled quantities – and more environmentally friendly to boot! By purchasing your herbs in bulk quantities, you can take advantage of large volume discounts, whether you are a retailer or a consumer of the end product. By purchasing bulk organic herbs in large amounts, you not only save, but ensure that what you need is there whether it’s for customer demand or cooking at home.

What Are “Certified Organic Herbs” ?

As consumer awareness increases about food – how it is grown, how far it travels, etc. – the demand for organic bulk herbs and certified organic spices also rises. Meanwhile, as the cost for many standard food items increases to the same level of locally-grown bulk organic herbs, the price of such organic foodstuffs becomes more competitive. But what exactly does “certified” mean?

Certified organic spices and bulk organic herbs are those raised in an ecologically sustainable way, without the kinds of chemical fertilizers or pesticides that can leach into the plant's leaves, roots, stems, flowers or bark, and leave a toxic residue. In addition, farmers who raise organic bulk herbs avoid the potentially destructive practice of monoculture. For instance, large-scale corporate agricultural operations may focus on the cultivation of only one or two products – for example, limiting a particular region to the production of only one or two Chinese herbs, such as a few varieties of ginseng. This practice causes plants to be less resistant to diseases as well as drain the soil of nutrients.

Farmers who raise organic bulk herbs focus on a healthy diversity of crops. This means a smaller supply (one of the reason that organic bulk herbs have been traditionally more expensive than non-organics), but it also means a healthier crop that is of superior quality. In the U.S. organic certification is handled on the state level by local governmental, non-profit and private agencies that have USDA approval. Since 2002, under the National Organic Program, produce such as bulk bath herbs and certified organic spices can only be labeled as such by adhering to specific requirements.

Herbs and Spices for Every Occasion

Chinese herbs are the basis of medication used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which Western medical science is starting to examine seriously. Of course, many women (and even men) appreciate a good soak in bulk bath herbs, and some of these even have therapeutic properties. Between this and the traditional kitchen uses of bulk herbs, it’s easy to see the wisdom in stocking up and keeping a good supply on hand.

Buy herbs in bulk for the savings, and to insure that you have them on hand when you need them.

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Author: Anne Harvester

Herbs to Increase Energy

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The body’s ability to produce and utilize energy properly depends on many factors. Biochemically, energy is produced within the mitochondria of body cells as part of a complex process, where glucose from food is converted to adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Certain herbs can activate and economize energy production and utilization. Herbs with this ability are known as ‘adaptogens’. Adaptogens increase the body’s ‘adaptive energy’, which economizes biochemical and physiological responses to ‘stress’ (physical, chemical and biological) and increases disease resistance.

The concept of ‘adaptive energy’, traditionally called ‘vital force’, has its equivalent in Chinese medicine, namely Qi (pronounced ‘chee’). Theory states that adequate production and utilization of Qi is underpinned by the body’s genetic or inherited energy, called Jing. Herbs that increase Qi are called Qi tonics and those that supplement Jing are called Kidney-meridian tonics.

The best known Qi tonics are Panax ginseng (Korean Ginseng) and Astragalus membranaceus (Astragalus). Both are defined in the West as adaptogens as well as immune modulators, cardiac tonics and antioxidants. In scientific trials, Korean Ginseng consistently demonstrates an ability to improve muscular strength, maximal oxygen uptake, work capacity, fuel homeostasis, serum lactate, heart rate, visual and auditory reaction times, alertness, and psychomotor skills. In layman terms, this equates with enhanced energy production and utilization resulting in increased physical performance.

Traditionally, Korean Ginseng is combined with Astragalus and modern research demonstrated that this combination has profound anti-fatigue effects, due in part to improved energy metabolism.

As indicated above, herbs with Kidney tonifying properties are essential to the success of any formula treating insufficient or deficient energy. The best known herbs for this purpose are Cordyceps sinensis, commonly called caterpillar mushroom and Withania somnifera or Ashwagandha.

Cordyceps is a highly valued medicinal mushroom in both Chinese medicine and modern clinical practice. Cordyceps helps increase stamina and endurance by enhancing mitochondrial energy production and is one of the top selling sports supplements amongst the worlds' elite competitive athletes.

Withania is also known as Indian Ginseng due to its many therapeutic similarities with Korean Ginseng. It is a highly respected adaptogen and Kidney-meridian tonic with anti-fatigue, anabolic, antiinflammatory, immune modulating, anti-anaemic, cognitive enhancing and aphrodisiac properties.

Three other herbs reinforce the energy enhancing effects of these principle ingredients. Interestingly, all three herbs are commonly known as Ginsengs. That is, Tienchi Ginseng (Panax notoginseng), American Ginseng (Panax pseudoginseng) and Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosis).

Siberian Ginseng rose to fame in 1984 after publication of a study into its effects on Soviet Olympic athletes during challenging training and competition. Athletes using Siberian Ginseng were found to have improved stamina and recovery, increased oxygen uptake and better performance.

By helping economize the body’s energy production and utilization, this combination of herbs can provide balanced support, whatever your level of physical activity.

Author: PaulKeogh

Paul Keogh ND, DMH is a qualified Naturopath and medical herbalist with 20 years combined experience in clinical practice and the development of medicinal-grade, integrated Chinese and western herbal medicines. Paul regularly reviews the benefits of vitamins, supplements and vitamin tablets for different goals and conditions.

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