Indigenous people worldwide, revere much of the natural world as sacred. And rely on its elements to ease many health problemes. For much of humankind, especially in the groves of africa, possessing plant knowledge, or having access to a person who did, made the difference between life and death. In fact, the majority of the world still relies on traditional medicine, and even in industrialized countries, folk remedies are still used to treat illness everyday.
It’s not a surprise then, in these modern times with the growing options of medical technology, that there’s a rising movement to restore ancient plant-based healing practices. Having access to modern healthcare is not easy, costs are skyrocketing and the quality of medical care is degrading in developed countries, let alone the tird world, leading a large population to seek alternatives outside of the mainstream medical system. Herbal medicine might be a more accessible solution.
There are many different systems of traditional medicine, and the philosophy and practices of each are influenced by the prevailing conditions, and geographic area within which it first evolved. The commun property of all the systems is there emphasis on the equilibrium of the mind, body, and the environment. Generally, the focus is on the overall condition of the individual, rather than on the particular ailment or disease from which the patient is suffering, and the use of herbs is a core part of treatment.
Traditional Chinese medicine is an important example of how ancient knowledge is applied in a holistic approach. Treatments are based on a large view of the patient, expressed in terms of the balance of yin and yang. Yin represents the earth, cold, and femininity, whereas yang represents the sky, heat, and masculinity. The actions of yin and yang influence the interactions of the five elements composing the universe: metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The practitioners seek to control the yin and yang levels and the energy through the body by making recourse to herbal remedies.
In modern days, the usage of natural products other than vitamins and minerals are the most commonly used alternative medicines, because they are widely perceived as natural, safe, more affordable, closely corresponding to the patient’s ideology and allaying concerns about the adverse effects of chemical (synthetic) medicines. They also satisfy a desire for more personalized health care. Furthermore herbal therapy increases when conventional medicine is ineffective in the treatment of disease, such as in advanced cancer and in the face of new infectious diseases.
