What you need to know about herbal medicine: discover the benefits of natural plant infusions and their side effects
The use of plants to cure ailments, alleviate or improve health is something that humans have been doing since the beginning of time. Even when we could not write, knowledge about plants and their healing properties was transmitted from generation to generation orally.
In fact, current drugs use, to a large extent, the active principles present in nature.
However, we must be careful with the intake of infusions since, just as they help us to take care of ourselves in a natural way, they can also be harmful if we abuse the quantities or if we mix them with other infusions or with pharmacological treatments.
That is why in this article you are going to discover what are the benefits of infusions and also what precautions you should take so that they do not harm you.
A little history about the origins of herbal medicine
Phytotherapy is called the natural therapy that uses plants for the prevention, cure or relief of symptoms and discomfort.
Since when is it practiced? Even before human beings learned to document their learning.
Our Neanderthal ancestors were already able to detect the effects that plants had on them after ingestion or application to wounds.
So we can ensure that the infusions have always been used.
The first written document on the use of healing plants dates from the year 3000 BC in what is considered the first civilization in the world, Sumeria in Mesopotamia.
Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and the clergy in medieval times used and documented the use of natural plants to treat ailments. Today, the pharmaceutical industry continues to use them to obtain the active principles of medicines.
Obviously, Right now we have a huge advantage over the past: we know perfectly the origin of the plants, the best strains are selected and traceability is known.
In addition, studies have been done on the recommended doses for our body and thus adverse effects can be avoided.
Let's demolish a false myth about natural remedies
If we listen to popular wisdom, it seems that something that has natural components will not be bad or can harm us.
This "if it's natural, it's good for your health" claim is a false myth.
Are poisonous mushrooms not natural?
In reality, not all plants are edible, for example poisonous or hallucinogenic; nor can we put our hand in the fire because they do not have adverse reactions or cause poisoning. In the worst case, a mistake could be fatal.
The advantage is that today, we have documented almost all the effects that plants have on our body, both harmful and beneficial.
This was learned by our ancestors based on tests and immediate reactions after ingesting some plants. But in other cases it has been science that has discovered side effects that are shown in the longer term.
Despite all this, one thing is clear: today phytotherapy has a very solid basis for knowing what properties each plant has, both beneficial and counterproductive. And also in what dose it is advisable to ingest them.
Therefore, we must not mistrust the infusions that are marketed in the market. You can rest assured and consume them without fear since each of them specifies exactly what composition it has, what is the maximum recommended dose and what each one is recommended for.
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Benefits of phytotherapy in fertility
As we have just mentioned, each infusion is designed to relieve or help your body according to your needs at that time.
The benefits of taking a natural remedy made with plants are many, and in fact more and more doctors rely on herbal medicine for ailments or minor or specific ailments and in those cases in which the side effects of the medication affect the health of their patients. patients.
If you also choose infusions prepared with organic, biological ingredients, free of pesticides and without additives, your body will appreciate it.
How to avoid problems with infusions
Of course, homemade mixtures or without measuring the amounts of each ingredient, unless prescribed by a professional, are not recommended. Remember that each plant has different properties and combinations between them can have unwanted effects.
Types of infusions in herbal medicine
There are many types of infusions to meet your needs at all times:
- The relaxants: which help you reduce stress and sleep better thanks to the fact that they contain valerian, lavender or linden.
- Stimulants: that help you in your day to day with energy thanks to the fact that its components include ginseng, green tea or mint.
- The refreshing ones: that even drinking them in summer they feel great thanks to mint or spearmint.
- Decongestants: if you need help with fluid retention or to improve blood circulation.
- Those specific to women: which take into account menstrual cycles.
There are many more. Almost as many as moods.
Special attention is required for women who are pregnant or who are seeking pregnancy. Here, we must also take into account the hormonal cycles.
Can I take infusions when I am trying to get pregnant or when I am already pregnant?
In Spain they are not yet well known but in Central European countries the use of cyclical infusions is much more widespread. They are infusions with a specific composition for the pregnant woman or for the one who has decided to have a baby and wants to prepare her body and help it to reinforce its natural function.
There are also specific infusions to cleanse your body when you want to conceive, which helps you eliminate toxins and also the remains of oral contraceptives.
In principle, and except for allergy or intolerance to any plant, the consumption of infusions in pregnant women is not harmful. However, the ideal is always to consult your gynecologist or a fertility specialist.
And of course, if you are taking any medication, it is essential to ask your doctor what infusions you can take.
You may be interested in:
- Detox infusions for fertile women: Nido Sano
- The infusions that improve your fertility: cyclical infusions 🍵
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