Herbs in Our Lives

HW499 Unit 4 Assignment

Jennifer Kegley
Kaplan University

Herbs in Our Lives

What is an herb?
Herbs in medicine
Where to find information
Research
Conclusion

What is an herb?
Herb (h)rb
Noun
any plant with leaves, seeds, or flowers used for flavoring,
food, medicine, or perfume.

Herbs in Medicine
Herbs can be used as food, made into teas, or
applied to the skin such as a salve.
The use of herbs is shown in Western medicine in
63% of our current pharmaceuticals are derived
from plants.
More than half of the worlds population still
depends on plants for medicine.

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Has been in use for over 2500 years
Herbal medicine used along with mind and body
practices for a total health solution

Can incorporate the use of many herbs in one

formula to affect healing

Ayurveda
Originated in India more than 3,000 years ago
The goal of Ayurveda is disease prevention
Incorporates the use of herbal remedies

Herbal Information Sites

American Botanical Council http://
abc.herbalgram.org/site/PageServer

National Center for Complimentary and Integrative Health https://

nccih.nih.gov/health/herbsataglance.htm

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database

http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/home.aspx?cs=&
s=ND

Research
Herbal remedies are increasingly finding there way into
the daily lives of the Western world. Our Western medicine
is based on scientific proof that something works, and
studies into herbal remedies have been ongoing to provide
the population with the best information.
The University of Chicagos Tang Center for Herbal
Medicine Research and Delaware State University are two
facilities investigating the effects of herbal medicine.

Conclusion
Herbs were our healers in the past, and they are
coming around full circle to be our healers again in our
future. Many people are looking into the health benefits
of herbal remedies for continued health maintenance
and as alternative approaches for treatment of a known
condition. The main points to keep in mind is to
research your chosen herb, purchase products from a
reliable manufacturer, and discuss with your physician,
especially if you are currently taking other medications.

Q&A
Have questions? Now is your time!
Please ask away!

References
Metropolitan State University of Denver. (n.d.) In Herbal medicine. Retrieved on September 20, 2015
from https://www.msudenver.edu/integrativetherapeuticpractices/careers/herbalmedicine /
National Institute of General Medical Sciences. In Medicines by design. Retrieved on September 20, 2015
from http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/medbydesign/chapter3.html
National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2015). In Ayurvedic medicine: an
introduction. Retrieved on September 20, 2015 from https://
nccih.nih.gov/health/ayurveda/introduction.htm
Traditional Chinese Medicine World Foundation. (2015). In TCM healing modalities. Retrieved on
September 20, 2015 from http://www.tcmworld.org/what-is-tcm/tcm-healing-modalities /
University of Maryland Medical Center. (2013). In Ayurveda. Retrieved on September 20, 2015 from
https://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/ayurveda
University of Minnesota. (2013). In IsTCM Evidence-Based and Safe?. Retrieved on September 20, 2015
from http://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/explore-healing-practices/traditional-chinese-medicine/tcm-evidence-based-and-safe