Virtual Herbal Medicine Chest, Term Paper Example

Introduction

Creating a medicine chest of herbal remedies requires knowledge of the different types of remedies and the options that are available to treat a variety of conditions. These remedies must be able to provide value and viable health benefits to consumers in order to accomplish their intended objectives. This is an important step towards the discovery of new ideas and approaches to facilitate positive health and wellbeing, using natural remedies as a viable option. In the prevention and/or treatment of different conditions, a number of herbal supplements may serve as viable remedies in this context, thereby creating an environment in which there is likely to be a positive impact on outcomes for individuals with the use of these herbs.

Body

Common herbal remedies that may be beneficial to health include the following:

Gingko biloba: This is a common herbal supplement that is used to promote memory improvements and to stimulate increased blood circulation in many patients; however, this supplement should be taken with caution, as there are a number of risks related to its use for patients taking blood thinners and those who have had seizures in the past (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013).

Saw Palmetto: This herbal supplement is typically used to manage benign prostatic hyperplasia in many males, particularly those who experience difficulties with urination and those who frequently urinate throughout the night, thereby alleviating these symptoms in some patients (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013).

Valerian root: This is an herbal supplement that is commonly used to treat sleep problems, such as lack of regular sleep in some patients, as it has a lower number of side effects relative to traditional prescription sleeping medications; however, it must also be closely evaluated as an alternative for patients who take other types of medications (University of Maryland Medical Center, 2013).

Ginger: This supplement is widely available and is known to reduce the effects of nausea in some patients, in addition to improving circulation and reducing chills and sweating; this type of supplement is available fresh, in oil, and in a dried version (University of New Hampshire Health Services, 2015).

Ginseng: This herbal supplement is typically used to reduce fatigue in some patients and to also improve immunity, and in some patients, may be used to alleviate blood pressure; this supplement is available in a powder or tincture format (University of New Hampshire Health Services, 2015).

Chamomile: This herb is commonly used in order to alleviate stress, anxiety, indigestion, and insomnia in patients and is available through inhalation, infusion with tea, and as an ointment (University of New Hampshire Health Services, 2015).

Echinacea: This supplement is typically used to alleviate some of the symptoms that are associated with colds and flu, as well as the management of some types of infections that impact the kidneys (University of New Hampshire Health Services, 2015).

Conclusion

Herbal supplements and remedies often provide numerous benefits to patients when used under the appropriate conditions; however, these supplements must be taken with caution in order to minimize possible side effects and other complications that may arise when taking other medications (MedlinePlus, 2015). This is an important step towards the discovery of new ideas to ensure that patients receive the best possible treatments in a manner that is consistent with improving health and wellbeing on a continuous basis.

References

MedlinePlus (2015). Herbal medicine. Retrieved from            http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/herbalmedicine.html

University of Maryland Medical Center (2013). Herbal medicine. Retrieved from            http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/treatment/herbal-medicine

University of New Hampshire Health Services (2015). Herbal medicine. Retrieved from http://www.unh.edu/health-services/ohep/complementaryalternative-health-practices/herbal-medicine