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Marissa Celis
Mrs. Tyree
English III, Per. 3
22 January 2014
Herbal Medicine
The same medical treatments prescribed by the doctor are growing in the garden or
found in the nearby farm market. Herbal medicine is a viable alternative to traditional medical
treatment. Herbal medicine is more affordable. Herbal medicine is a healthier alternative.
Alternative medicines increasingly have become popular among Americans in recent years
(Bergner). Yet Plants have been used for medicinal purposes long before recorded history.
Ancient Chinese and Egyptian culture writings describe medicinal uses for plants as early as
3000 B.C. Indigenous cultures used herbs in their healing rituals while others developed
traditional medical systems. Researchers found that people in different parts of the world tended
to use the same or similar plants for the same purposes. In order for different people around
different parts of the world to use similar treatments for the same purposes concludes the
outcome was the same. In the early nineteenth century when chemical analysis first became
available, scientist began to extract and modify the active ingredients from plants, later, chemists
began making their own version of plant compounds and, over time, the use of herbal medicines
declined in favor of drugs. Regardless of the decline, the fact is that one fourth of pharmaceutical
drugs are derived from botanicals. Cost of prescription medications, is one of the factors for
returning to natural or organic remedies along with stress.( "Herbal drugs")
Stress is apart of everyday life for everyone. Published by American Journal of
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Epidemiology, 2009 study of 1355 American men and women found that weight gain is often
associated with stressors like job related demands, relationship problems and financial problems.
Sometimes with other things to worry about getting rid of weight is not an easy thing.
Attempting to lose the weight without harsh chemicals or dangerous surgical ways is not the only
solution. Soy reduces belly fat in obese postmenopausal women, according to a small study
published in American Journal of Obstetrics. Thirty- nine postmenopausal women were assigned
soy supplements or placebo. The results revealed that soy helped reduce belly fat. Green tea is
shown to speed up the metabolism. Green tea has been touted as a natural remedy for abdominal
obesity. (Johnston) Chickweed tea is an old remedy for obesity, and wise women still drink teas
of fresh chickweed as one of the classic spring tonics to cleanse the blood (Hussain) Fennel seed
has an ancient reputation as a weight loss aid still holds up today. Drinking a cup of fennel seed
tea 15 minutes before eating a heavy meal seems to take the edge off your appetite (Hussain).
Grapefruit increases circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system, and has a cleansing effect on
the kidneys, which may help to regulate body weight with regular use (Hussain). Phylum acts as
a safe and effective weight loss aid. The seeds expand in your stomach, increasing the feeling of
fullness and slowing down the absorption of simple carbs (Hussain). Yerba mate acts much like a
smooth caffeine. Additionally, it is believed to act to assist dieters in reducing food cravings and
by helping the body feel fuller, longer (Hussain). Fish oil’s omega 3’s fatty acids help change the
way body uses fat. Instead of storing it, the body burns fat as fuel (Hussain).
Depression
is a major public health issue, affecting many people, many of who do not
wish to use powerful synthetic antidepressants, which can have significant adverse effects
(Ernst). Extracts of St. John’s Wort have long been used in folk medicine (Ernst). St. Johns wort
plant grows in the wild, and has been used for centuries for health purposes. St johns wort is
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known to affect how the body uses breaks down a number of drugs. Kava kava is also said to
elevate mood, enhance well-being and produce feeling of relaxation. Several studies have shown
that kava may be useful in the treatment of anxiety, insomnia and depression. ("Information
About St. John's wort") Bladder infections are burning during urination, urinary frequency and
urgency, cloud or bloody urine. Cranberry lacks direct antiseptic or antibacterial properties and
was previously hypothesized to acidify urine sufficiently enough to produce an antibacterial
effect ("Information About St. John's wort"). Uva ursi is used to treat urinary conditions, due to
its antibacterial, astringent, and anti- inflammatory properties ("Information About St. John's
wort"). Due to genetics the diseases people tend to acquire are inevitable. In one case the father
of a family according to a source is diagnosed with thyroid. Thyroid is a large ductless gland in
the neck that secretes hormones regulating growth and development through the rate of
metabolism. The patient is prescribed with steroids to alleviate symptoms. Due to the chance that
it is hereditary a child or female would not like the side effects that come from steroids. Instead
an herbal alternative would be more accommodating. Studies have shown that Kelp is commonly
used to stimulate he thyroid function. Another disease that could later cross a person’s life is
dementia. Ginkgo has been used in traditional medicine to teat circulatory disorders and
enhances memory. Laboratory studies have shown that ginkgo improves blood circulation by
dilating blood vessels and reducing the stickiness of blood platelets. (Pirmohamed)
Cannabis is a herbal alternative used to treat disease or alleviate symptoms. The cannabis
plant has history of medicinal use dating back thousands of years across many cultures. Cannabis
has been used to reduce nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy patients and people with AIDs,
and to treat pain and muscle spasticity. Chemotherapy patients have trouble eating and are given
cannabis due to its ability to increase appetite. (Pirmohamed)
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Addiction is an everyday problem and struggle. The most common addiction we have
today is to Adderall. Adderall is being abused by people mostly in the age groups of high school
through college. Adderall is the best-known stimulant used to treat ADHD. Since Adderall is an
amphetamine, the probable outcome is addiction. Regardless if it is prescribed or not, the users
body begins to depend on Adderall. Increasing iron intake with iron pills because iron
deficiency causes short attention span. Tryptophan, found in poultry, aids in the production of
serotonin-a brain chemical that promotes confidence, appetite and restfulness. (Johnston)
Sleeping pills are a large factor with addiction today. Valerian is a popular alternative to
commonly prescribed medications for sleep problems because it is considered to be both safe and
gentile. Due to lack of ability to afford proper medical treatments, herbal medicine is a suitable
alternative. (Johnston) Herbs cost much less than prescription medication. Research, testing, and
marketing add considerably to the cost of prescription medicines. Herbs tend to be inexpensive
compared to drugs. Herbal medicine is an inexact science. Although history has provided
decades of information many common drugs we use today were derived from plant-based
sources. Most herbal medicines are well tolerated by the patient, with fewer unintended
consequences than pharmaceutical drugs. Herbs typically have fewer side effects than traditional
medicine, and may be safer to use over time. Herbal medicines tend to be more effective for
long-standing health complaints that don’t respond well to traditional medicine. Herbs are
available without a prescription and can be simply grown at home, making accessibility easier
than traditional medicine. .In some remote parts of the world, herbs may be the only treatment
available to the majority of people. It is very east to obtain herbal medication for the treatment of
just about any symptom imaginable. Many remedies have been proven time and again to help.
Unless herbal medications are mixed with other ingredients during processing, they are
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considered all natural. Of the advantages and disadvantages of herbal medication, this is one of
the pros that appeal to many. Herbal remedies have been in use long before traditional medicine.
A majority of traditional medications derive from plants. Therefore the plants must contain the
ingredients needed for the treatment. With a large majority either not being able to afford or
transport themselves due to physical disabilities, being able to grow a majority of the herbal
treatments is a major pro. Traditional treatments are sometimes created with harsh chemicals
leading to the possibility of addiction. Substituting medications such as amphetamines used for
learning disabilities, the herbal alternative is better for avoiding addiction. Also the inevitable
stress carried throughout everyday life contributes to weight gain. Instead of the chemically
harsh weight loss supplements the herbal supplements are by far more beneficial to the human
body due to its natural ingredients. While herbal medications do have some very big perks, there
are a few cons to watch out for. In some cases people turn to herbal remedies to treat symptoms
without really knowing what they are dealing with condition wise. (Bergner). The advantages
and disadvantages of herbal medication tend to weigh in favor of their use in most cases
(Bergner).
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Works Cited
Bergner, Paul. "Traditional Herbalism and Natural Medicine." Townsend Letter for Doctors and
Patients Jan. 2001: 129. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Capriotti, Theresa. "Exploring the `Herbal Jungle'." MedSurg Nursing Feb. 1999: 53. Academic
OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Combest, Wendell, June Hannay Kosier, and Marian Newton. "Select Herbal Remedies Used to
Treat Common Urologic Conditions." Urologic Nursing June 2001: 232. Academic
OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Ernst, E. "Herbal remedies for anxiety--a systematic review of controlled clinical trials."
Phytomedicine: International Journal of Phytotherapy & Phytopharmacology 13.3
(2006): 205+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
"Herbal drugs." Drugs and Controlled Substances: Information for Students. Ed. Stacey L.
Blachford and Kristine Krapp. Detroit: Gale, 2010. Student Resources in Context. Web. 4
Feb. 2014.
"Herbal remedies for asthma." Bandolier 8.1 (2001): 6. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Hussain, Khalid, et al. "Traditional and complementary medicines: quality assessment strategies
and safe usage." Southern Med Review Apr. 2009: 19+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb.
2014.
"Information About St. John's wort." Pamphlet by: National Institute of Mental Health. National
Institute of Mental Health, 2001. 1. Student Resources in Context. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Johnston, S. Laurance. "Ancient medicine for a modern age." PN - Paraplegia News 63.4
(2009): 12+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
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Klotter, Jule. "Clinically tested herbal medicine." Townsend Letter: The Examiner of Alternative
Medicine Feb.-Mar. 2006: 126+. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
Pirmohamed, M. "Herbal medicines." Postgraduate Medical Journal Sept. 2003: 489. Academic
OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
"Q & A." Health News Magazine 14.4 (2008): 12. Academic OneFile. Web. 4 Feb. 2014.
This is still not a full five pages, and it is still pretty much just a list of facts about various
herbal remedies with little analysis. Review format for in-text citations.
Content: 20/40; Organization:27/30; Grammar: 16/20; MLA: 5/10 Grade: 68