Herbal Medicine and Its Powerful Healing Properties

Did You Know That Herbal Medicine Is As Old As Time?

In the ancient world there were no medical doctors and when people became unwell they would go to the village elder with the knowledge of the healing effects of various plant leaves, stem, flower and root that grew wild in the local natural environment.

Medicine from herbs is one of oldest forms of healthcare. It has a long and respected history of plants and parts of the plant being used for medicinal purposes based on the observation and testing of indigenous people.

Use of leaves, flowers, stems, berries, and roots of plants to prevent, relieve, treat and cure various medical conditions is known as herbal medicine.

Many modern medications have been derived from the knowledge of herbs and their healing properties. The medicinal component of the plant, herb, root or berry is analyzed and isolated. This component is then artificially stabilized and manufactured in large laboratories for use in pharmaceutical preparations.

Before the discovery and synthesis of antibiotics, Echinacea was most widely administered medicine to fight infection. It was even part of the medical kit for the men going to war. Echinacea is a herb that comes from a plant, commonly known as, purple coneflower. The scientists’ research today have found that it has immune boosting properties by encouraging the body to produce disease fighting white blood cells.

In the 1900’s as the Western medicine developed, through scientific research from an art to a science, modern medicine produced in pharmaceutical laboratories based on synthetic counterparts of medicine made from herbs became more popular pushing the practice of ancient traditional herbal medicine into relative obscurity.

But the big problem is WHY do they have side effects?

The World Health Organization has researched that out of 119 plant derived synthetic medicine, 74% are being prescribed for the same healing properties as has been used by indigenous people as herbal medicine, for centuries.

Pharmacologists identify, isolate and extract the active component and then synthesize it in the laboratories. The resultant powerful medicinal quality of the active component becomes toxic, creating side effects. It becomes toxic because it has been removed from its natural environment. The other supportive important components of the plant like vitamins, bioflavonoid, volatile oils, glycosides, minerals, alkaloids etc that enhance the properties of the active component have been eliminated. So the herbal medicine that was originally safe has a synthetic counterpart, which has side effects.

Herbal medicines in there natural forms are safe and do not usually suffer from the problem of side effects and are apt at addressing targeted problems.

WHO, World Health Organization has found that estimated 4 billion people, i.e. 80% of the World’s population, uses herbal medicine as their primary form of medication. Herbal medicine is a major part of indigenous peoples’ traditional medicine around the World, be it ayurveda, homeopathy, traditional Chinese medicine, naturopathy or native American Indian medicine.

Herbs and prepared herbal medicine are available in many different forms with unique properties for healing various medical conditions. They are available in the form of raw herbs, tinctures, extracts, capsules, tablets, lozenges and ointments.

Incredible Facts About Medicine Of The Ancient Romes

In the ancient world, the Greeks and Romans were brothers. There was the obvious close proximity of the two countries. However, their relationship was deeper than that. In fact, their cultures were so closely linked that the Greeks and Romans shared gods with different names, but similar backgrounds! However, both groups maintained a unique history and culture. For instances, here are some of the highlights about ancient Roman medicine:

1. Doctors were vital to the Roman Empire

The Roman’s Empire’s public health system was actually quite broad. While doctors in ancient Rome could receive formal training, here are some other interesting facts about them:

Anyone in ancient Rome could refer to himself or herself as a “doctor.”
Doctors would often serve as surgeons in the Roman Empire’s army.
Several female doctors existed.
Women typically served the healthcare needs of other women.
Doctors provided free healthcare services, to those living in impoverished towns.

2. Much of Roman medicine was Greek medicine

The Roman defeated the Greeks, in the former’s formation of the Roman Empire. Afterwards, Roman doctors then accepted many of the ideas that the Greeks had, concerning medicine. In fact, most of the doctors who were practicing in the Roman Empire–were Greek! Furthermore, the works of Hippocrates, the Greek “Father of Medicine,” served as the basis for numerous Roman doctors’ training.

3. The Romans focused on public health

Obviously, the Romans were unaware of bacteria, and the use of cheap urbane scrubs to reduce their transmission. However, the Romans placed an emphasis on public health. Improvement in personal hygiene would ultimately improve public health and reduce diseases’ occurrence.

4. Rome further developed the Greek’s theories about medicines

The Romans adhered to many of the beliefs of the Greeks, about maintaining the health of humans. For instance, they focused on the importance of cleanliness and exercise. This was due to the Romans’ borrowing theories from the Greek, Hippocrates. A second century AD Greek doctor, Galen, was instrumental in developing these theories. Galen further developed Hippocrates’ notion that human bodies contained four “humours.”

5. Galen influenced both Roman and European medicine

In addition to affecting Roman medicine, Galen also influenced European medicine for more than 15 centuries! His theories and practices focused on obtaining a balance of the four humours, which he believed were inside human bodies.

The Romans would obtain advice from their doctors, while also presenting offers to various Roman gods, such as the Roman goddess of safety–Salus. Interestingly, during the 3rd century BC, this god became linked to Hygieia–the Greek goddess related to healing. Furthermore, the Romans also used Temples of Asclepius, which had originated from the Greeks.

While the Romans were not as innovative as the Greeks were, in the study of medicine, the former certainly contributed to the development of Greek concepts related to medicine. Ultimately, the Romans improved humans’ overall understanding of hygiene and health, which is noteworthy. After conquering the Greeks, the Romans would contribute to humans’ epic war on bacteria!

What is Homeopathy A Brief History of this Medicine

The term “homeopathy” comes from the Greek words “homios” and “pathos”, meaning “similar suffering”. “Homeopathy” was coined in 1824 by the German physician Samuel Friedrich Hahnemann (1755-1843). It is a system for treating disease based on the administration of minute doses of a remedy, which, when given to healthy individuals, produces symptoms similar to those of the disease itself. It is based on “similia similibus curentur”, or “like cures like”.

The remedies are made from natural animal, plant, and mineral sources. They undergo a series of dilutions and succussions in order to become potentized. A point of interest is the fact that the higher the dilution, the more potent the remedy becomes. Currently there are thousands of remedies from which to choose. There are no artificial pharmaceutical drugs prescribed. Consequently, there are few harmful side-effects from the remedies, which is a big safety factor.

Dr. Samuel Hahnemann was a physician, chemist, linguist, historian of medicine, and scientific revolutionary. He stopped practicing medicine because he believed that the methods he was taught would do more harm than good. The system at the time was called “allopathic medicine”. Allopathic medicine is the treatment of disease using medicines whose effects are different from those of the disease being treated. It is based on “contraria contrariis”, or “the law of opposites”.

Hahnemann conducted many experiments over many years, and this led him to write a number of important medical texts, still in use today, including “The Organon of the Medical Art”, published in 6 editions, the last being in 1842. He also wrote “The Chronic Diseases. Their Peculiar Nature and Homeopathic Cure”, published in 1835. His system of medicine became known as Homeopathy. It became popular from the 1830s to early 1900s.

Constantine Hering (1800-1880) was considered the father of American Homeopathy. His greatest work was the 10 volume “Guiding Symptoms”, which was completed in 1895 by Knerr. The Allentown Academy was the first school of homeopathy, which opened April 10th, 1835. The American Institute of Homeopathy (AIH) was formed in 1844, and was the first national medical organization. The American Medical Association (AMA) was formed in 1847, in response to the spread of homeopathy. Homeopathy was growing, and in 1867 and 1869 two homeopathic colleges were formed in Philadelphia, the “Homeopathic Medical College”, and “The Hahnemann Medical College”. They merged in 1886 to become “The Hahnemann Medical College and Hospital”.

Around the turn of the century, Constantine Hering dies. For the first time in 50 years, homeopaths had no strong leadership. The schools became increasingly divided over philosophical issues, which started the decline of homeopathy. The colleges slipped into the teaching of keynote prescribing, use of conventional medicines, and lack of philosophy.

In 1909, James Tyler Kent started the “Society of Homeopathicians”, in an attempt to keep homeopathy going. His established Rules of Practice are:

1)Only one remedy is to be given at a time.
2)Remedies must be potentized.
3)Surgery was only to be performed as stated in Aphorism 186 of the Organon.
4)Suppression of symptoms by crude medicines, local treatment, or other means, is un-homeopathic.

However, probably the biggest reason for the decline of homeopathy at the turn of the century was the rise of Modern Medicine. Claude Bernard (1813-1878) was an instigator, and “conventional medicine” grows from statements made by Bernard. He thought that the body is a machine, responding to laws of chemistry and physics. The goal of the physician is not “to restore the sick to health, to cure”, as Hahnemann described, but to correct the abnormality. This was done using drugs which can manipulate through destruction (anti-biotics, radiation), substitution (thyroid extracts), or inhibition (MAO inhibitors). Medicine becomes increasingly driven by science and specialization.

The biggest difference between Homeopathy and Modern Medicine is that in Modern Medicine, the body is examined and broken down into bits and pieces, different parts and organ systems. This works very well for physical symptoms. However, modern medicine does not often include the mental and emotional symptoms. Homeopathy views the body as a whole, functioning not only as a sum of its parts, but which also has a “spirit”, a “soul”, or a “life-force”. Therefore, homeopaths put weight on all three; mental, emotional, and physical symptoms. Each person is an individual. They try to match the “state” of the patient with the “state” of the remedy. By analyzing the totality of symptoms, they find the remedy which works best for that individual.

In 1910, the “Flexnor Report” closed many homeopathic schools.
By 1925, only 2 remain.
In 1935, all hospitals dropped the word “homeopathic”.
By the 1940s, the Hahnemann Medical College is the only remaining school.
The 1970s saw the resurgence of Homeopathy in the U.S.

Homeopathy in Canada

Homeopathy in Canada started in the 1840s. Two early homeopaths were J. Lillie and J. Lancaster. In the 1850s there was an act to qualify and license homeopaths. In 1869, Ontario establishes the “College of Physicians and Surgeons”. Homeopaths had 5 members until 1934, then it dropped to 1.

The 1970s also saw the resurgence of Homeopathy in Canada.
In 2007, Bill 171, enacted June 4th, 2007, establishes the regulation of Homeopathy in Ontario, and creates “The College of Homeopaths of Ontario”.
Homeopathy is now an integral part of the Health System.
The government is confident that homeopathy plays a valuable and significant role in the provision of health care to patients.

Chinese Medicine Import And Export Volume Increased 5-fold In Ten Years

Since accession to the WTO in 2001, China’s pharmaceutical trade gained rapid development. Chinese medicine trade in 2001 totaled only $ 9.5 billion, by 2010 this figure had reached $ 60.2 billion, an increase of over 10 years ago, more than 5 times. Among them, the imports increased from $ 4.1 billion to 205 billion U.S. dollars, about 20% compound annual growth rate of exports from 54 billion dollars to nearly $ 40 billion, the annual compound growth rate of 25%, import and export growth in excess of the overall foreign trade level.
Decades, China’s pharmaceutical market continues to expand foreign trade, import and export growth in the country from 196 to 221, covering almost all the world’s countries (regions). In addition, Chinese medicine to optimize the export structure, formed bulk drug products, based on high-tech products export-oriented development model. As Chinese medicine raw materials industries, the pharmaceutical exports has always been dominant, ten years exports increased from $ 2.8 billion to 203 billion dollars, saccharin sodium, vitamin C, penicillin industrial salt, vitamin E and drugs paracetamol and other bulk materials exports have accounted for 90% of world trade, 65%, 60%, 44% and 40%.
Decades, China’s pharmaceutical market, the main foreign trade has undergone profound changes, plant extracts from a state-led, foreign investment, supplemented by private and other business structures gradually changed to private, foreign-led, diverse forms of ownership and common development of a new pattern. Among them, the state-owned enterprise market share from 60% in 2001 decreased significantly from 20% in 2010, foreign-funded enterprises rose from 32% to 42%, private enterprises increased from less than 8% to 37%.
Accession to the WTO, China has significantly improved the overall environment of pharmaceutical trade, but with the foreign markets, the removal or reduction of tariff barriers, technical barriers and trade frictions over the rise before the WTO, also significantly increased the difficulty of response.
Deal with technical barriers to trade in, since 2001, Health Insurance Association several times through international dialogue, reflect the demands and maintain industry interest. Registration Act for the EU’s traditional medicine in Chinese exports may cause serious obstruction problems, Health Insurance Association on behalf of domestic industry under the framework of trade barriers through the WTO notification mechanism for formal concerns and views of the industry, causing the EU to focus on and respond, To properly resolve relevant issues played a positive role.
In response to trade friction, the decade of the lead in organizing the Chamber of Commerce over 30 foreign anti-dumping and safeguard measures responding to the survey work, and has launched an industry representative organizations as injury defense. Tartaric acid in the EU anti-dumping cases on me, resveratrol including many cases, some of the companies involved to a zero tax rate for the ruling, or the investigating authorities to reach a reasonable quantity / price promise settlement.
Overall, pharmaceutical trade friction cases in the WTO the following characteristics: First, no significant increase in the number of incidence; the second is involved in product exports hit record highs, including penicillin industrial salt for me in India and 6-APA-sponsored anti-dumping investigations involving more than $ 200 million, China’s pharmaceutical industry is by far the anti-dumping cases involving the highest amount; third country to initiate an investigation was the diversity, the emerging pharmaceutical markets such as Brazil, Russia, Argentina and other pharmaceutical products, I have initiated anti-dumping or safeguard measures, pharmaceutical raw materials while traditional markets such as the European Union, China, India and other trade remedy cases as the main sponsors of the situation has not changed, the overall trade friction involved into diversified country; four is involved in drug products from raw materials to medical device extension of the field, including patient monitors, including the high-tech medical products become the new target of investigation.

Get Internal Medicine Certification for Better Career Opportunities in Medical

The American Board of Internal Medicine conducts certification exam for physicians who are practicing internal medicine or the sub-specialties. Though the organization is a non-profit, independent physician organization in the USA, it still charges fees for Internal Medicine Certification which is $1,345. Similarly, candidates are asked to pay $2,165 (except for Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Transplant Hepatology, Cardiovascular Disease, Interventional Cardiology, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology) for Sub-specialty Certification Exams.

Candidates doing Sub-specialty Certification Exam in Cardiovascular Disease need to pay $2,310 and doctors willing to get Sub-specialty Certification in Advanced Heart Failure & Transplant Cardiology, Transplant Hepatology, Interventional Cardiology, and Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, etc. need to pay $2,785. The non-refundable Late Registration fee is $400 and fees for International Test Center are $500.

Important Dates For the year the 2011 deadline for the registration is February 1. For the year 2012, it is February 1. Similarly, the last date for late registration which requires a non-refundable late fee is February 2 for the year 2011. The February 2 will be the last date for late registration for the year 2012. Whereas deadline for Late Registration is March 1 for the year 2011, March 1 will be the deadline for late registration for the year 2012. Nonetheless, the deadline date for Cancellation will be June 1 for the year 2011 and for the year 2012, the date will be June 1.

What is Internal Medicine? This is a kind of medicine which is used for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of adult diseases. Thus, the medical professionals involved in internal medicine should not only possess excellent knowledge but also an expertise on internal medicines. The certification exam conducted by the American Board of Internal Medicines asks questions from the following disciplines:

Medical oncology, Nephrology, Pulmonology, Rheumatology, Adolescent medicine, Clinical cardiac electrophysiology, Critical care medicine, Geriatric medicine, Interventional cardiology, Hospital medicine, Sleep medicine, Sports medicine, Transplant hepatology, etc. The comprehensive internal medicine study with the help of study material can help candidates prepare well for ABIM certification. However, once certified, candidates require re-certifying themselves every ten years.

Candidates appearing for internal medicine certification must have successfully completed residency or fellowship training. Medical professionals feel the requirement for internal medicine for the reason that it is considered a mark of excellence in the field and enhances the employability. Nonetheless, the ABIM being the only recognized U.S. board in the specialty of internal medicine; it is recognized widely among medical practitioners.

ATI Medical Education provides Internal Medicine Board Review CD-ROM for candidates doing internal medicine internship. Priced at $199.95 the program/software is auto-installable onto the computer by the insertion of disc. It compatible with Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/2003/XP/Vista/7 and can be used offline. http://www.medvideoprep.com