The Natural Beat

Tess August 18th, 2008

The word drug is derived from druug, Swedish for ‘dried plants’. A large proportion of the early conventional medicines and drugs that were discovered, originated from plants.

Aspirin was originally developed after isolating acetysalicyclic acid from a plant known as meadowsweet (Latin: Spiraea). Quinine has its origins in cinchona, medicinal bark of the cinchona tree. Morphine and codeine have their roots in poppy plant.

However, there are certain aspects that differentiate conventional drugs from herbal remedies and homeopathic remedies, as well. These are:

-    Conventional drugs are based on a single compound that is isolated from herbs or plants. On the other hand, therapies that are based on natural remedies, use the entire herb without isolating the active ingredient. This is done on the belief that a combination of compounds produces a better therapeutic value and work together to reduce toxicity.

-    Chemicals and synthetics are used in the manufacturing process for conventional medicine. In many cases the compound is synthesized. Herbal remedies do not use chemicals or synthetic products during the process of preparing a remedy. In fact, synthetic products are not used even as catalysts or aiding agents in the preparation of herbal or homeopathic products.

The harshest criticism of herbal supplements and remedies is that many herbs are toxic in nature and that they can be dangerous to ingest. It is a known fact that some herbs are extremely toxic in nature. However, herbalists profess that the preparation process of herbal medicines ensures that the toxic effect is negated. Homeopathy makes use of even poisonous plants and herbs to arrive at suitable remedies.

Nux vomica and rhus toxicodendron are two commonly prescribed homeopathic remedies and both of them are prepared from toxic plants. Lachesis muta, on the other hand, is made from the venom of bushmaster snake. To understand how these poisonous substances are converted from poisons to remedy it is necessary to know the basics of how a homeopathic remedy is prepared.

Remedy, in homeopathy does not have the common meaning that we all are conversant with. In homeopathy it is a technical term applied to herbs, plants, minerals, live specimens or any other natural substance that has undergone a specific procedure so as to be able to treat a patient (not a disease).

Homeopathic remedies are prepared using a process called ‘potentisation’. The basic ingredient is diluted in water or alcohol and vigorously shaken ten times against an elastic body. The process is repeated with further dilutions based on the potency that is required. During this process, known as succussion, the vital energy of the natural remedy is activated and released.

The curative properties of the ingredient are also transferred to the diluting liquid. Contrary to general belief, higher the dilution and succession, the higher the potency of the remedy!

The end product is completely natural and the original herb, plant, natural substance or poison is present in a negligible ratio

Homeopathy is based on the principle of ‘similar treats similar’, which means that a symptom caused by a substance is cured by the same substance.

Conventionalist may find it difficult to believe that such huge dilution can have any therapeutic value but homeopathy has remedies that produce positive results if prepared, prescribed and taken according to the principles defined by homeopathy.

• Herbs For Health , General Health Info , Homeopathy
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