By Chang Kyo Oh

Natural medicine and herbal remedies have existed as long as humankind. They include the use of leaves, bark, berries, roots, gums, stems and flowers. One of the earliest herbal texts was written at the time of Nero by Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek physician serving the Roman army. In it, he listed many plants to treat each symptom, probably in hopes that readers might find at least one medicinal plant in their own locality. As humankind progressed through the centuries, many other texts of “herbals” would follow. Yet as an industrialized society developed, along with pharmacy and medicines, the use of herbs declined – until now.

Herbal Remedies Today:

During the past 20 years, interest in medicinal plants and herbal remedies has increased dramatically throughout society. Today we find herbal products used in a variety of ways. The general public uses herbs for self-medication and as natural cosmetics. The scientific community carefully studies the biological & pharmacological effects of herbal preparations. Today, over half of the top 250 pharmaceutical companies have researched programs involving herbal plants, something that was unheard of as little as 15 years ago. In fact, most perscription medications are derived from natural products.

Herbal Remedies and Their Benefits.

Doctors have found herbs to be useful allies in treating their patients. Natural products have become useful alternatives to established therapies, mainly because they act at different stages in the disease and can be useful in combination therapy. Lets discuss some of the more popular herbs and other natural products and their uses. Most can found over the counter at any drug store or health food store.

Black Cohosh – Used as an astringent, expectorant, diuretic, sedative and an antispasmodic, it helps in treating nervousness, fatigue, sore throat and arthritis. It is also useful during menstration. Because of its estrogenic effects, it’s been used by women going through menopause. It should be avoided by pregnant women and those advised not to take birth control pills.

Cranberry – Helps stop bacteria from adhering to the walls of the bladder and urinary tract to help prevent bacteria infection. Regular use may help prevent the formation of kidney stones.

Echinacea – Helps increase production of infection-fighting white blood cells. Can help reduce inflamation, fever and mucus. However, for best effect it should not be used regularly.

Evening Primrose – Helps form prostaglandins which help reduce inflamation in the joints, regulate blood vessels, salt and water balance, insulin secretion, nerve function and natural resistance. It helps keep skin, hair and nails healthy and protects the liver from toxins.

Garlic – Acts as a natural antibiotic and helps lower serum cholesterol. It’s also been known to kill harmful diarrhea causing bacteria.

Gingko Biloba – Several decades of clinical tests have shown this extract to promote mental activity, concentration, memory and overall cognition.

Ginseng - Helps increase endurance, overall vitality and the libido.

Glucosamine and Chondroitin – Is a unique combination of ingredients for joint support. Glucosamine is a basic building block for cartilage, synovial fluid and other connective tissue. It is needed for healthy structure and function of joints for optimum mobility. Chondroitin Sulfate protects existing cartilage and serves as a building block for healthy new cartilage.

Kava Kava – Used to reduce anxiety, relax muscle tension and produce analgesic effects, a reason for its popularity as a sleep aid today. It has also been used as a local anesthetic and is said to have a potential antibacterial benefits.

SAM-e - (S-Adenosyl Methionine (SAM or SAM-e; pronounced “sammy”) is an amino acid. It is a natural compound present in all living cells and is involved in many important biochemical reactions in the body. SAM-e helps promote healthy cartilage formation which may enhance joint comfort and mobility.

St. John’s Wort - Has a sedative and pain reducing effect, helping with stress, headaches and very minor depression. An oil or lotion made from it can be used externally on burns, wounds, sores and bruises. The FDA warns about severe drug interactions with HIV drugs, Coumadin, Digoxin and others.

Saw Palmetto – Used mainly to treat conditions associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy (nonmalignant enlargement of the prostate gland). It helps to shrink an enlarged prostate, protects it from testosterone irritation and improves urinary function. A natural expectorant, it can beneficial in treating colds, asthma and bronchitis.

Of course there are countless more herbs that can be beneficial if used correctly. Maybe we will discuss more at a later date.

About the author: Master Chang Kyo Oh is a Hapkido and Sword Master in Chollanamdo, South Korea. He is the Technical Director of the World Sword Arts Federation and is currently completing his studies for a degree in Natural Medicine. He can be reached at World Sword Arts