Phytotherapy, also known as herbalism, is a medicinal approach based on the use of the properties of plants to prevent, relieve or treat various ailments. It relies on the richness of bioactive compounds in plants, which can have beneficial effects on human health.
Medicinal plants contain a diversity of compounds, such as polyphenols, terpenes, flavonoids, and alkaloids, which can act in different ways on the body. These compounds may have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other beneficial actions.
Herbal medicine is used to treat a wide range of conditions, including gastrointestinal disorders, sleep problems, skin conditions, hormonal imbalances, respiratory disorders, and even emotional aspects such as stress and anxiety .
Certain plants are renowned for their potential to support weight loss, but it is essential to emphasize that herbal medicine alone is generally not a miracle solution for weight loss. It can be used in addition to a healthy diet and exercise.
The effectiveness of herbal medicine depends on the disorder being treated, the plant used, and the individual response. Some plants have well-studied and research-backed properties, while others still require further investigation.
Herbal medicine may be recommended by qualified health professionals, such as herbalists, naturopaths, integrative physicians, or certified herbalists. These practitioners are trained to assess individual needs and recommend personalized approaches.
Herbal medicine products include a diverse range of plant extracts in different forms, such as herbal teas, tinctures, dietary supplements, ointments and essential oils. These products are often available in specialty stores or under the supervision of health professionals.
Although considered safe, herbal medicine may pose risks for certain people, such as pregnant women, children, and those with specific health conditions. Prior medical consultation is recommended.
Reliable information can be obtained from qualified health care practitioners, herbal medicine professionals, medical publications, and reputable online sources. It is essential to verify the credibility of information sources.
The adjective birch is attributed to the silvery sheen of its papery bark. The birch is a particularly typical tree species in Eurasia. Although commonly grown as an ornamental tree, it is no less a host to young woods, steep acid soils, stony soils and sandy soils. Surprisingly, birch sap harvested in early spring has … Read more
The therapeutic properties of liquorice have been known since ancient times, when it was used by the Romans and Greeks to treat asthma and ulcers. Scientists of the time named it glycyrrhiza from glycys, for sugar, and rhidza, for root , meaning sweet root. A little history Chinese medicine considers it to be one of … Read more
If there’s one medicinal plant that can be found all summer long by streams and in damp, sandy places where it thrives, it’s horsetail. Common and seemingly banal, this is an extraordinary plant, one of those that have survived the ages, just like ginkgo biloba. Horsetail is a very old lady, over 270 million years … Read more
The dandelion is a very common plant, impossible to ignore and full of treasures. A headache for botanists, there are no fewer than 60 species groups and over 1200 species in total (in Europe alone). The dandelion is widespread in most temperate zones of the northern hemisphere (Europe, North America, North Africa, China, India, Iran, … Read more
Scots pine, whose botanical name is Pinus sylvestris L., belongs to the Pinaceae family. Its essential oil is obtained from the needles. The origin of Scots Pine’s Latin name is debated. Alexandre Etienne Guillaume “de” Théis, in 1810, maintained that it comes from the Celtic “pinus”, meaning mountain or rock. However, Félix Gaffiot, in his … Read more
Legend has it that a hawk feeds on the juice of hawkweed to improve its eyesight. Hierakon, from which we can guess the Latin name for hawkweed. Hieracium was already the Greek name for several Chicoraceae. But it also contains Hierax, meaning “falcon”. The nameHieracium was therefore given to hawkweed “without any explanation other than … Read more
Passionflower, or Passiflora incarnata, is a climbing plant native to the south-eastern United States and Mexico, renowned for its medicinal properties. Traditionally used to treat insomnia and anxiety, it has gained an important place in the French pharmacopoeia. Its richness lies in its unique constituents, notably flavonoids and indole alkaloids. This article explores the many … Read more
In a world where natural health is gaining in popularity, it’s essential to explore the many possibilities offered by medicinal plants. Among these, Orthosiphon, also known as Java tea, stands out as an ancient remedy for the urinary tract. Native to South-East Asia, this plant with its many virtues has long been used in traditional … Read more
ELEUTHÉROCOQUE (Eleutherococcus senticosus) Where did he come from? Classified among adaptogenic plants, the eruceterocoque, sometimes called Russian ginseng, has a very global action. It acts simultaneously against fatigue and the effects of stress, it is a stimulant of the nervous system and memory, it is notably anti-inflammatory as well as immuno-stimulating! Its actions are similar … Read more
The olive tree, an emblematic tree steeped in history and mythology, also has many little-known therapeutic powers. In this article, we invite you to explore the fascinating world of the olive tree, from its mythological origins to its contemporary medicinal applications. We begin our journey by going back to the mythological roots of the olive … Read more
The cold and the microbes of winter put your immune system to the test. Colds, sore throats, nasopharyngitis, flu… there are many ailments that the body has to contend with. To boost your immune defences, your pharmacy can advise you on the best use of natural medicines. Phytotherapy (health through plants) has specific applications that … Read more
Lavandin is the result of hybridisation (natural at first) between the two species Lavandula vera and Lavandula latifolia, and its aromatic profile is close to that of Lavandula vera (but with 6-8% camphor ). This hybridisation gave rise to four varieties of lavandin in Provence: Super, Grosso, Sumian and Abrial. Nowadays, lavandin is much more … Read more
Guarana is native to the lower Amazon, Brazil more exactly, where it grows in abundance. Cultivated in a few localities on the South American continent, this plant has only been known in Europe since 1817. Guarana is a Brazilian name which derives from the name of the Guarani tribe , indigenous to the Amazon. A little bit of mythology … Read more
Can herbal medicine help prevent cancer? Although there is a genetic predisposition to certain cancers , gene expression can be modulated through epigenetics; recent discipline, which explains how the environment and individual history modify gene expression. These phenomena are transmissible from one generation to another, but can be reversible, in particular under the influence of nutritional factors … Read more
Chaste tree, a medicinal plant revered since ancient times, is now attracting renewed interest for its remarkable therapeutic properties. Used by Hippocrates and Dioscorides for its curative virtues, chaste tree, or Vitex agnus-castus, offers a range of benefits from hormone regulation to anti-inflammatory applications. In this article, we delve into the fascinating world of chasteberry, … Read more
Alongside age-related macular degeneration, cataracts are a degenerative eye disease whose prevalence is increasing as the population ages. It is the leading cause of blindness worldwide, with 18 million cases, according to the WHO. In France, 600,000 cataracts are operated on every year. The incidence of cataracts increases with age, affecting around 20% of people … Read more
When we speak of an obsessive disorder in the sense of a disease, we describe a behavior , characterized by the irrepressible need to constantly repeat a ritual , often bizarre (compulsion). Professional, family and social life can be seriously threatened. Obsessive thoughts are absurd thoughts. The person who suffers from them feels them as such, but fails to get rid of … Read more
Like any solar plant , echinacea offers medical matter its flower head, the culmination of this plant, but also what is diametrically opposed to it, namely, a ruffled root strain. Although arriving late in Europe (1930s), echinacea, the study of which began after World War II, particularly in Germany, have since revealed some of their secrets . A little history … Read more
Native to Central Asia or the Caucasus, garlic(Allium sativum) has been cultivated and eaten for over 6,000 years. It has always been considered a panacea. In ancient Rome, Pliny the Elder listed 61 illnesses that could be cured with garlic. Before the discovery of antibiotics, crushed garlic cloves were used, among other things, as an … Read more
A herniated disc is the protrusion of an intervertebral disc or its nucleus outside its normal limits. In France, this condition affects men more than women, mainly between the ages of 20 and 30. A disc is made up of a gelatinous nucleus, the nucleus pulposus, and an envelope of peripheral fibres that connect the … Read more