Herbs themselves are full of mysteries but modern science has confirmed the healing power of plants. Many drugs were originally derived from herbs, such as aspirin from Willow bark, and digoxin from Foxglove. Today, plants are providing new and promising medicines in fields such as chemotherapy for cancer and leukemia. Natural does not automatically imply safe, but at normal therapeutic doses most herbs can be taken without risk. Qualified professional herbalists are experienced with the properties and effects of herbs, their limits and strengths, and are trained to know when to refer to conventional physicians for appropriate medical care.
Herbal medicine can be helpful to almost everybody.
It can help both acute and chronic conditions, whether slight or serious. Herbal medicine can usually be safely taken by people who are already receiving orthodox treatment, although professional herbalists should be consulted to understand potential herb-drug interactions, and the impact of any conventional medical diagnoses or therapies for herbal treatment. Equally important, herbs can also provide the cornerstone for preventative and wellness strategies to aid vitality, longevity, and optimal wellness. Herbal medicine has always been the people's medicine. For many this is the start of a path to become herbalists themeselves.