Botanical Medicine Services
Modern medicine has helped us make some great advances in the treatment of disease and human wellness.
However, many of its advances are based on plant medicine.
In fact, many of the most common pharmaceutical drugs, like aspirin, Sudafed, codeine, and penicillin, are derived from plants.
Botanical medicine is the use of plant extracts to take advantage of their medicinal properties.
It has a wide range of different benefits, from disease prevention to symptom management to the promotion of overall health.
As a naturopathic doctor, Dr. Pat Nardini has been extensively trained in the use and application of botanical medicine.
Read on to find out more about how botanical medicine can help you.
What Is Herbal Medicine?
The term herbal medicine, or herbal remedies, is interchangeable with botanical medicine. However, botanical medicine makes more sense, since it’s more than just herbs.
There are plants with healing properties found in their herbs, as well as their seeds, roots, stems, stalks, and even their bark.
What Are Botanical Medicine Supplements?
A health product made from botanical extracts is called a botanical supplement, or herbal supplement. They can come in a variety of different forms. In some cases, it’s the plant itself, but you may also find it in the following forms:
- Pills or capsules
- Powder
- Tincture
- Dried for tea
- Gels
- Lotions
- Creams
- As an additive to bath water
How Can Botanical Medicine Help?
Botanical medicine is a broad discipline of medicine. Because there are so many different botanical substances with healing extracts, it’s difficult to list every condition it can help with.
However, here are some of the more common ones you may have heard of.
Echinacea
Echinacea supplements are derived from the echinacea flower, related to the daisy. It has a broad scope of possible uses, including:
- Preventing and reducing symptoms of the common cold
- The flu
- Anxiety
- Tonsillitis
- ADHD
- Gingivitis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Cold sores
- Chronic fatigue
- Reducing some side effects of chemotherapy
- Eczema
- Chronic pain
- Yeast infections
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a succulent plant native to modern day Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. It has since spread all across the world, for both its beauty and its medicinal properties.
If you’ve ever had a sunburn, you probably know aloe vera can be quite soothing. However, it can also help with:
- Fighting cavities
- Eliminating free radicals (antioxidant)
- Constipation
- Depression
- Memory issues
- Reducing some of the side effects of radiation therapy
Licorice
You might be most familiar with licorice candy, but licorice root is different. In fact, its use goes back to the ancient Egyptians. It has uses for:
- Soothing stomach cramps
- Reducing stress
- Eczema
- Respiratory problems
- Adrenal fatigue
Other Common Botanical Medicines
- Arnica
- Calendula
- Ginkgo biloba
- Garlic
- Valerian root
- Tea tree oil
- Comfrey
- Chamomile
- Milk Thistle
- Saw Palmetto
- Ginger
- Peppermint
- Mullein
- Dong Quai
- Ginseng
- Turmeric
- Feverfew
- Goldenseal
- John’s Wort
Can I Take Botanical Medicine And Pharmaceuticals At The Same Time?
Usually, yes. There are some situations, however, where certain botanical medicines may interact with your prescription drugs.
Though Dr. Pat doesn’t prescribe pharmaceutical drugs, he is trained in their side effects and what botanicals will interact with them.
This is why it’s always important to discuss your full healthcare regimen with Dr. Pat.
Is Botanical Medicine Right For Me?
Botanical medicine is beneficial for a wide range of different health conditions. However, not all botanicals are beneficial for everyone.
In particular, if you’re pregnant, nursing, elderly, or a young child, you may need to be cautious with or avoid certain botanicals altogether. In general, though, most botanical medicines are well tolerated by most people.
If you’re curious about botanical medicine and how it can fit into your healthcare strategy, contact Dr. Pat to book an appointment.
Dr. Pat offers a FREE health clarity consultation to first-time visitors who aren’t sure about what naturopathic medicine has to offer. During this 15-minute session, you’ll get a chance to sit down with Dr. Pat and discuss your concerns. He’ll answer all your questions and help you understand how botanical medicine and naturopathic medicine can help you.
Contact Dr. Pat to book your FREE health clarity consultation today.