Herbs are different kinds of plants and plant parts that can be used for medicinal purposes. This can be the leaves, stems, roots or seeds of the plant. Herbs have been important traditional medicine for centuries in both the East and the West. In Western medicine, they have been largely replaced by drugs. Herbal treatments are, however, still an integral part of Eastern medicine. In recent years, interest in traditional medicine has increased in the West.
The main difference between herbs and drugs is that, while herbs are simply parts of the plant, drugs are specific chemicals in a pure form. Many modern drugs are derived from chemicals found in plants. One example is aspirin, which is made from a chemical extracted from the bark of the willow tree. Other drugs are entirely synthetic. Even those drugs that are derived from natural sources are heavily processed in order to purify and concentrate them. This allows drugs to be administered in very precise amounts. Different kinds of degrees and illnesses often require dosages that differ only slightly. A little too much or not enough of a certain drug can have negative effects on the patient. These undesired negative effects are called "side-effects."
The possibility of dangerous and unexpected side-effects from drugs has led many people back to traditional medicine. Herbal treatments seem more natural than modern drugs. Many feel that traditional medicine is more concerned with treating the underlying causes of disease instead of just the symptoms, though the truth of this claim is not yet clear.
There are, however, disadvantages to herbal treatments. Few herbal treatments have been scientifically studied. Because the active chemicals are not used alone, it is very difficult to determine the proper amount of treatment, since the levels of the chemical in herbs are not constant throughout the plant. Therefore, the risk of under - and overdose is higher than with drugs.
There are even certain herbs that can cause side-effects, just like a drug. Garlic and ginger are common elements in food that are also taken as herbal treatments, but they can be dangerous for people with diabetes. In general, herbs are most dangerous when they are taken along with common drugs.
Finally, because production of herbal treatments is seldom regulated, harmful substances can be present in herbal preparations. Herbs grown in polluted soil may contain lead, arsenic, or mercury. They may also be tainted with pesticides. It is for these reasons that herbs should not be treated as the perfect substitute for drugs. Although herbs appear to be quite distinct from modern drugs, it is important to use them with the same sort of care.
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