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 belief of the Ancients was based on the idea of a plant that was not born from a seed. A plant with ashen leaves, a flavour reminiscent of soot and the smell of smoke, with a vaporous, evanescent appearance that evokes a blurred silhouette just like smoke rising from the bowels of the Earth… … Read more
Host of the countryside, the hawthorn likes the edge of forests where it seems to be on guard, both in the direction of open and covered places where, then, we see it teaming up with large deciduous or coniferous trees. But it is undoubtedly none to the hedge that it is, with the black thorn, … Read more
“Oh sun sun” … It is very tempting to spend hours basking in the sun to afford a perfect tan. However, be careful not to get sunburned! Indeed, overexposure to the sun can cause a superficial burn of the skin and increase the risk of the appearance of wrinkles , dark spots and even skin cancer . What is sunburn? Tanning is a protective reaction of … Read more
Who does not remember these Mediterranean landscapes where the dark cypress raises its narrow mourning columns against the violent blue of the sky? Before embellishing the Côte d’Azur and playing the useful role of a rampart against the wind and sand, the cypress took root in Asia Minor , where its presence is recorded in an old Assyrian … Read more
Activated charcoal (or vegetable charcoal)is obtained from organic plant materials rich in carbon: wood, coconut shells, olive pits, bark, etc. This material is subjected to calcination and then to a thermal shock. This eliminates most of the elements that form it. At the exit, we obtain a material composed almost exclusively of carbon. The only peculiarity: it retains certain molecules which come … 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
Medicinal plants can be of great help in losing weight naturally without straining your body. Taken as a complement to a food rebalancing, they allow you to lose weight, keep your figure and optimize your slimming capital. To support you in your weight loss, we have selected four plants for you in different dosage forms. … Read more
Most medicinal plants do not pose a significant health risk; however, there are cases where some herbs can produce unwanted effects. Therefore, their use is limited to certain situations. To assess the degree of toxicity of a substance, factors specific to the exposed subject such as age, weight, sex, physiological status, etc., as well as … Read more
The word alkaloid is a generic term to designate more or less complex compounds of plant origin, the main characteristics of which are the presence of nitrogen in the molecule and a more or less pronounced alkalinity. At low doses, they have physiological and pharmaceutical properties, but exhibit high toxicity at high doses. Among the … Read more
Spondylitis is a condition that affects the spine as well as the sacroiliac joints. Better known under the name of ankylosing spondylitis, it is a polygenic disease (due to several genes but also to environmental factors) which affects a relatively young population between 15 and 50 years old. What is ankylosing spondylitis ? Ankylosing spondylitis … Read more
Endometriosis is a condition affecting women of childbearing age. This pathology usually results in severe pain during menstruation and fertility problems. It is the presence, outside the uterus, of one or more clusters histologically similar to the endometrium (endometriomas) that define in particular the presence of endometriosis. These clusters are preferably located in the ovaries, … Read more
Originating in the rainforests of the mountains of southern China, theuse of green tea leaf as aninfusion is intertwined with the history of China, where the plant has been used in traditional medicine for over 5,000 years to stimulate cognitive functions, treat digestive disorders, promote the elimination of water, alcohol and toxins, stimulate blood circulation … Read more
The best use of plants and herbal teas for external use Aside from inhalation, the following herbal preparations are highly useful for topical care of local injuries, bruises and infections. Inhaling medicinal plants : Inhalation is very beneficial in cases of lung disease. This preparation is intended to enter the lower respiratory tract; the pulmonary … Read more
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant with a variety of uses, depending on whether you use its dried sap (latex) or the translucent gel at the heart of its leaves. Dried sap is a powerful laxative. The gel is used to treat wounds, stings and minor burns, and to combat certain skin infections. A little … Read more
Fibromyalgia is a delicate disease in many ways. Its origins are mysterious, it is thought to be a descendant of neurasthenia, and its astonishing frequency is still hampered by the lack of any formal identification. Because of its invisible nature, it remains unexplained, just like any other chronic pain phenomenon. This brings it closer to … Read more
Herbal medicine is the art of healing yourself with plants. It corresponds to traditional medicine, used before the invention of modern medicines. Associated with diet and physical activity, there are many medicinal plants and herbal supplements that can play an important role in diets and slimming. They are classified into three main categories: Fat burners; … Read more
Sleep plays an essential role in our well-being. Yet many people have difficulty falling asleep or suffer from sleep disorders. Rather than turning to sleeping pills, which often come with side effects, medicinal plants offer a natural and effective alternative. In this article, discover the best medicinal plants to help you fall asleep and improve … Read more
Often confused with cellulite, water retention causes swelling. With the arrival of warmer weather, water retention and cellulite become a major problem for many women. But we can’t tackle this problem without analysing the causes of their appearance. What’s the difference between cellulite and water retention? Under our skin, we have a panniculus of adipose … Read more