Submitted by Doc Dean on
The FDA mandates the following disclaimer for all herbal remedies and information:
"Natural remedies, such as herbs, are not a substitute for professional medical treatment. We are not qualified to answer medical, behavioral or health related questions. We recommend that you review the information on alternative medical therapies and consult with your doctor or other medical professional before making any decision regarding their use in your medical treatment."
Herbs have been used from the beginning of time. Animals instinctively learned to use different plants for their own healing and strengthening. Man has also used herbs to treat his illnesses for thousands of years and the usage of herbs by humans has been documented in all major ancient civilizations. Many people, throughout the world, still continue to use herbs to benefit their lives. Herbalists believe that herbs put the body in tune with nature and scientific studies are being done into the folklore of herbal uses to help develop new therapeutic medicines
In ancient times, herbalism was a mixture of medicine and magic. Herbs have been used in magical rituals for centuries by women and men alike and are one of the main tools of wizards and witches. Theirs has been a tradition of honoring and keeping the ancient ways of the use of herbs.
It was the belief of the ancients that all things were connected with nature and the universe and comprised of the four elements (fire, earth, air and water) and the dual energies (masculine and feminine/yin and yang). It was also believed that all things were influenced by a particular planet and influenced by its respective qualities. The human body was seen as a miniature replica of our solar system with each body part and system symbolically representing a sign and planet. Hence, the planetary correspondences and elemental natures were established by observing what condition a plant was effective for and this was detailed within the pages of “The Doctrine of Signatures” as one aspect of herbal medicine.
"The Signatura Rerum" or "The Doctrine of Signatures" is a traditional herbalist work that contends that every plant has a pattern which resembles a body organ or physiological function and that these patterns act as a signal or sign as to the benefit the plant provides. For example; Tomatoes have four chambers and are red. The heart is red and has four chambers; therefore tomatoes are indicated for conditions of the heart and blood. Kidney Beans look exactly like the human kidney; therefore they are used to heal and help maintain kidney function. Ginseng Root resembles the shape of a human body: therefore it is believed ginseng is able to restore harmony to the entire body.
The earliest herbal medicines were discovered by trial and error. Today, many traditionally used herbs have been put to the scientific test and many have proven to possess remarkable curative powers. Herbs are often proving to be effective and safe alternatives to dangerous and costly drugs.
But beware, my young friend.
There are counterfeits among nature.
Every plant that is good for food is mimicked
by another that will make you ill.
In this, nature teaches about life.
For there are many dangerous elements
who will try to make themselves appealing in your eyes.
Most of them will not think themselves dangerous, and the
danger is that you will not, either. They may act in ways you
find fun and exciting. And in their delivery of gratification,
you may mistake them as doing you a service.
But beware. Some oak is good, other is poison.
There are many whose offering—however enticing—
is not joy but strife.
Just as you must separate the good from
the counterfeit in nature, so must you do in your life.
Read more @ http://www.spiritwalkministry.com/plants_and_herbs