What is herbal medicine?
An increasingly widespread practice, but do you really know what it is?
If we had to explain it in just a few words, herbal medicine would be described as a gentle and natural medicine thanks to the use of so-called medicinal plants.
But let's be honest, this practice deserves much more than these few words, so I invite you to discover the facets of natural medicine with Pimprenelle!
- Origins and birth of phytotherapy:
Phytotherapy has its roots in prehistory; in fact, the study of cave paintings and (Neanderthal) burials proves the use of so-called medicinal plants by humans for thousands of years!
Traces of this practice can be found all over the world, whether in ancient Egypt, imperial China or even the Greek empire.
The term “Phytotherapy” comes from the Greek “Phytón” meaning “plant” and “thérapeìa” which means “treatment”, so there is no need to explain the reasons for this choice!
Among the great names who participated in the evolution and transmission of this ancestral practice we can cite: Hippocrates, Aristotle, Galen and Hildegarde de Bingen.
Phytotherapy experienced a resurgence in popularity during the 18th century thanks to various personalities and their research, such as Henri Leclerc and Jean Valnet, known for his research on essential oils.
- The different galenic forms of phytotherapy:
Okay, now you know the whole story of herbal medicine, but what is herbal medicine actually?
Phytotherapy is a practice that encompasses several forms of using medicinal plants:
- Infusions: The best-known method consists of infusing dried plants in water to extract the active ingredients.
- Mother tinctures: Liquid plant extracts obtained by maceration in alcohol.
- Gemmotherapy : Liquid extracts of plant buds obtained by macerating buds in a glycerin-hydroalcoholic mixture.
- Capsules and tablets: Dosage forms containing dried and powdered plants and compacted or enclosed in capsules.
- Aromatherapy: Concentrated extracts obtained by distillation of aromatic plants (essential oils).
- Macerates: Preparations obtained by macerating plants in vegetable oil.
- Poultices: Direct application of fresh or powdered plants to the skin for local use.
- Syrups: Liquid preparations made from plants, water and sugar or honey.
Each of these forms of use has its own advantages and indications, for example, syrups are often used for sore throats, coughs, etc.
- The benefits of herbal medicine:
Now that we have explored the origins and different forms of use of medicinal plants, let's discover together their main benefits for our health and well-being.
As a peasant herbalist passionate about plants and their virtues, I wish to pass on to you this ancestral knowledge which allows us to take back control of our health in a natural and gentle way.
- A gentle and natural approach: Phytotherapy offers us solutions that respect our body and our environment, allowing us to focus on the source of our ailments and not on the symptoms, thus allowing for comprehensive treatment.
- Traditional know-how: Each plant is cultivated, harvested and processed with care, respecting ancestral practices and without products harmful to health.
- A global action: Medicinal plants act not only on physical symptoms but also on our emotional balance, they have an impact on both the body and the mind.
It is important to note that herbal medicine is not an alternative to conventional medicine, but rather a complementary approach that can help us maintain our health on a daily basis.
In my next article, we will explore in more detail the essential plants to have in your natural pharmacy.
In the meantime, don't hesitate to contact me for personalized advice on plants and health!