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.
Lapacho is a tree native to South America, revered for its bark, which is used in traditional medicine. It is renowned for its curative and regenerative properties. But what exactly are the benefits of lapacho? That’s what we’re going to find out together in this full, detailed article. The history of Lapacho Lapacho, with its … Read more
Indoor air can be up to five times more polluted than outdoor air. The causes? A variety of factors, including chemicals emitted by furniture, cleaning solvents, personal care products, pet hair and household appliances. However, there are natural solutions to combat indoor pollution. Depolluting plants, essential oils and natural air purifiers can all be effective. … Read more
Matcha, a premium green tea powder from Japan, has long been renowned for its health benefits. However, with its growing popularity, it’s essential to understand its proven benefits. In this article, we’ll explore the scientific benefits of matcha in detail, helping you to make the most of it for your well-being. Discover the secrets of … Read more
Immerse yourself in the revitalising world of mate, this emblematic South American drink with energising properties. Discover how drinking it can not only boost your day, but also bring considerable benefits to your overall health. We explore the ancient secrets and scientific evidence behind mate, to reveal why this infusion deserves its rightful place in … Read more
Champagnethe holidays are often high in calories. So now it’s time to take charge of your life by getting back to a healthy lifestyle, thanks to our 5 detox tips after the holidays. Detox” mode consists of cleansing your body of the excesses accumulated during the festive season. Indeed, with their high alcohol, fat and … Read more
Hypertension is characterised by abnormally high blood pressure on the artery walls. In stressful situations or during physical effort, it is normal for blood pressure to rise. But in people with hypertension, blood pressure remains high at all times, even at rest or in the absence of stress. What is hypertension? Hypertension is a disease … Read more
Cellulite, also known as dimples or orange peel skin, is the result of a change in the structure of the fatty tissue under our skin. In fact, it gives the skin a rather unsightly appearance. It is mostly found on the back of the thighs and on the buttocks, but it can also affect different … Read more
Ashwagandha is one of the most important plants in Ayurveda, which is a traditional form of alternative medicine based on Indian principles of natural healing. What is ashwagandha? “Ashwagandha” means “smell of the horse” in Sanskrit. Indeed, this refers to both the smell of the plant as well as its potential to increase strength. In … Read more
Legend says that it was the leaf of a heart-shaped linden tree that landed on Siegfried ‘s back , the only vulnerable place in his body after he bathed in the blood of the vanquished dragon ( saga of the Nibelungen ). The genus Tilia includes many species and hybrids. More than 100 taxa have been counted for these lime trees, some of … Read more
Wasps belong to the order Hymenoptera. Equipped with stings, they also belong to the suborder Apocritus. Among wasps, it is the females that can sting; the workers and queens. Species that compete with humans for food also sometimes sting. In fact, these insects sting mainly to protect themselves from other hymenoptera, such as when they … Read more
In ancient Greece, Theophrastus and Dioscorides spoke of a plant called Klymenos . At the same time, among the Romans ( Virgil , Pliny , Columella …), the case of Caltha is mentioned. Some writers who are not very informed have wanted to see in these two names the concern . If the first of these terms is forgotten, confusion over the second term persisted for so long that in the 16th century Jean Bauhin designated … Read more
The oldest medicinal plants in the vegetable kingdom are, as Darwin said , a veritable “living fossil”. Ginkgo is part of a plant group that developed in the Carboniferous, during the heyday of giant horsetails, 200 to 250 million years ago. Among other things, this tree has the advantage of being able to age for millennia . If we generally agree that 4000 years is … Read more
Saffron is an atypical crocus in many respects and whose reputation is well established. Unlike other crocuses , it is the only one whose flowering is autumnal . The preciousness that characterizes it makes it particularly expensive, and this since the highest antiquity, and also remarkable; as I will now practice demonstrating. A little history 4000 years, it is approximately the age of the … Read more
Keeping fit throughout the day is no easy task. It requires a healthy diet, regular physical activity, but also appropriate supplements. To improve your physical condition, get back into shape and then stay there, your body needs micronutrients that are not necessarily available in the foods you eat every day. This makesNat & Form food … Read more
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
Rosemary smells of Provence. In our imagination, it rubs shoulders with thyme and wild thyme. Undoubtedly, it evokes good herbs , and its use imposed itself first in food, for the pleasures of the nose and the palate, even before we realize that a meal decorated with rosemary not only tastes better, but also digests better. It is thus part … Read more
To unearth the oldest written traces linked to the meadowsweet, it is necessary to wait for the Middle Ages, but they still have nothing to do with its medicinal value . It was made into crowns, especially at weddings, because its flowers symbolized virginity . A little history It was not in fact until the Renaissance that it was possible … 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
In the underground world of roots, nothing is really very simple, and it is all the more so with the black radish whose origin is still uncertain , even if we wanted to see in the south of the Asia his native land. A little history What we do know, however, is that in the oldest Chinese … 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