Herbs

Plants have been the primary source of medicine for people throughout the world since the down of recorded history and even today in most countries. Over 4,000 years of European and Mediterranean culture have used medicines referred to as herbs. The term herb used to apply to non-woody plants, but today it refers to any part of any plant used for flavoring or medicine. It may be bark, flower, fruit, leaf or root as well as a non-woody plant.

As for medicinal qualities: Is garlic a medicine or a food? Medicine is anything which enters the body and alters its structure or function according to the medical definition. So all foods and even water and air could be considered medicines, right? Most people do not think this way and consider medicines dangerous or toxic substances that must be used with care. Simple fact: Garlic is both a medicine and a food. It aids circulatory and immune systems as well as provides nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates and fats. Therefore, it is considered a medicinal food.

The FDA classifies herbs as foods when no claims are made that the herb will cure, treat or mitigate/prevent a disease. When these claims are made, the herb is regulated as a medicine. Since companies that sell herbs as food cannot publish materials relating the use of their products to diseases without risking prosecution, herbs must be sold as foods and then may be used as medicines.

This information comes from a wonderful book that addresses both the nutritional and medicinal qualities of herbs: "Nutritional Herbology: A Reference Guide to Herbs" by Mark Pedersen

Any questions, please let me know: www.mynsp.com/aboutlife