Herbal therapy is a theoretical and practical medicine based on the scientific study and use of medicinal plants or drugs obtained from them for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes. It is applied for the treatment of chronic severe diseases, such as cancer, and also for stimulation and mental health. Although traditional medicine has been displaced by chemical production, herbal therapy’s popularity and studying this phenomenon are steadily growing worldwide.
Herbal medicine has a milder effect on the body compared to any pharmacological agent and minimizes side effects and allergic reactions. The most frequently used herbs in treatment are eucalyptus, chamomile, mint, echinacea, and feverfew (Gharaibeh & Tawalbeh, 2017). There are several herbal appliance methods; for instance, these are essential oil, tisane, maceration, salves, and balms. According to Ezhilarasan (2018), herbal medicine in oncology is assigned to activate the body’s protective functions to combat the disease. In cancer treatment, herbal medicine solves two critical tasks; they are pain relief and stimulation of the immune system (Ezhilarasan, 2018). Moreover, the body’s resistance towards infections increases; it also diminishes a wide range of damaging pathogens and effects, such as anoxia or various toxins (Gharaibeh & Tawalbeh, 2017). Some people tend to rely on medical herbs more than on synthetic medication.
From a psychological perspective, herbal treatment is associated with nature and is perceived as a more natural treatment method. In some cases, patients negatively perceive the need to prescribe medications (Gharaibeh & Tawalbeh, 2017). Consequently, starting treatment of such patients with herbs, the physician gradually forms the motivation for more thoroughgoing treatment (Gharaibeh & Tawalbeh, 2017). With an adequate appliance of herbal preparations and a specialist’s control, this therapy can be beneficial.
Herbal medicine is considered to be an alternative treatment because, since ancient times, people have fought diseases with medicinal herbs. It can be defined as a set of therapeutic measures using medicinal products from plants. One of the primary purposes of using pharmacological agents is to neutralize the negative consequences of stressful environmental influences or somatogenic effects if non-pharmacological agents do not affect the expected result.
References
Ezhilarasan, D. (2018). Herbal therapy for cancer. In P. S.T. Shanmugam (Ed.), Understanding cancer therapies (pp. 129-166). CRC Press.
Gharaibeh, B., & Tawalbeh, L. (2017). Beliefs and practices of patients with diabetes toward the use of herbal therapy. AIMS Public Health, 4(6), 650. Web.