Many of us are convinced that herbal medicine works. And the main proof is that herbs have been treated since ancient times and continue to this day. Many medicinal ointments, tinctures, and tablets are made from plants. They contain many studied substances and compounds. This is all true. But is this the whole truth? What do we know about modern plants and medicines based on them? Let’s find out.
Yes, herbs and fruits of some plants do contain substances that the body needs. Many cannot be synthesized artificially. The production of herbal medicines begins with the cultivation of the necessary herbs. Sterility, constant monitoring of growth, maturation, content of useful and harmful substances, determination of the moment when the plant has reached the optimal level of these substances and its collection. Here are the stages of procurement of raw materials for subsequent production.
But what if we ourselves collect our own “bouquet” of medicinal herbs? This is where the main danger lies. The herbal gatherer will have to solve several difficult tasks.
First, find the exact herb you need. With all the abundance of information sources – reference books and encyclopedias, even experienced botanists often confuse herbal varieties. This is due to the fact that their appearance varies greatly even depending on the specific forest, not to mention the regions of Russia. Two varieties of the same plant species, one useful and the other neutral at best, are often indistinguishable by eye.
Next is the collection time. Depending on the season, the set of substances in the plant can change dramatically. Finding the right weed at the right time is a task that requires colossal experience or a special technical base.
The third factor is the place of collection. And there are very, very few places where flora can exist in its pristine purity and not be influenced by civilization. This influence is well known: engine exhaust gases with all carbon monoxide gases, lead and other things, soil contaminated with toxic substances, saturated with water from poisoned rivers. It sounds grim, but to a greater or lesser extent, this is true for all areas inhabited by people. Thus, the concentration of harmful substances in herbs and roots may exceed the beneficial ones.
And that’s not all: the collected herbs require processing. If this is a small production “at home”, then their cleaning, grinding and drying are clearly not in laboratory conditions. This threatens the development of bacteria and mold in such a collection. Naturally, they will not bring benefits.
The last task is to prepare the medicine itself. Whether it is an infusion or a collection for brewing, the amount of substances must be accurately calculated. The benefits of a small amount of certain substances can easily turn into harm from an excess of them.
In addition to all of the above, even if the medicine is prepared in compliance with all technologies, there are indications for use. If any medication is misused, it can also harm the body. After all, any medication should be taken only as directed by a doctor.
Now, seriously. The last point includes one major factor: herbs do not heal everything. If coughs, nausea and insomnia are quite amenable to herbal treatment, then there are diseases that are not susceptible to this kind of therapy. Unfortunately, sometimes people overestimate the possibilities of herbal medicine, and try to treat such serious diseases as diabetes, hepatitis and even cancer.