Herbal Medicine
Herbal medicine (phytotherapy) is one of the most ancient medical sciences. The main advantage of herbal medicine is that herbal remedies are gentler, less toxic than synthetic ones and are not addictive.
Herbal medicine has beneficial effects on the whole body, has a stimulating, cleansing and immunomodulatory effect. Natural medical herbs can treat a person in the most gentle way. The body receives a whole complex of biologically active compounds, which can easily penetrate into tissues and act at the level of intracellular metabolism. The effect of herbal remedies is due to active substances contained in various parts of the plant: alkaloids, glycosides, tannins and essential oils. The substances contained in the plants are active against many strains of microorganisms which may acquire resistance to antibiotics, and can enhance human immunity, helping to cope with disease. Thus there is no adverse effect on organs, as often occurs in the treatment with pharmaceutical drugs.
One cannot say that herbal remedies completely replace pharmaceutical drugs, yet nowadays phytotherapy is experiencing a rebirth. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 80% of the world's population prefer to be treated with herbal remedies. Currently, more than 23,000 plants - about 7% of the earth's flora, are implemented in phytotherapy.
Due to the absence of toxic effects on the body, a variety of herbal remedies can be taken for a prolonged time. This allows you to achieve excellent results in the treatment of many chronic diseases, because short-term pharmaceutical therapy provides only temporary relief, and the feasibility of long-term treatment with drugs is questionable, as toxic and side effects often outweigh therapeutic results.
In my practice, I recommend infusions (tea), tinctures, tablets, ointments and only occasionally capsules made from different plants that are authorized in the EU countries.
Aromatherapy
Aromatherapy is a branch of herbal medicine which affects the body by volatile (essential) aromatic substances derived primarily from plants.The essential oils have dual therapeutic effects. The first one is the influence of aroma on the brain and its limbic system, which is involved in regulating the autonomic function of organs, olfaction, emotions, instinctive behaviors, memory, sleep and alertness. The second one is the exposure to the volatile substances themselves that have a direct pharmacological effect.
In my practice, I use essential oils in combination with other treatments. As a general rule, I recommend and use them only externally: applying on the skin, cold compresses, baths, and occasionally inhalation.