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Herbs Used in Alternative Medicine

There are many useful herbs used in alternative medicine. This article will give you a good bit of information to whet your appetite so that you can then explore on your own the many ways that herbs are used in alternative medicine.

Aloe Vera has been used for healing as far back as 6,000 years ago in early Egypt. It has been used to heal wounds and to treat various skin conditions as well as used as a laxative. It has also been used to treat asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and osteoarthritis.

Bilberry has been used to treat many conditions including diarrhea and scurvy, menstrual cramping, eye problems, and varicose veins. It has even been used to treat diabetes. You can eat the fruit of the bilberry plant or make it into extracts and used in teas. It has even been used to improve night vision (not verified by scientific study).

Black Cohosh is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, muscle pain, night sweats, vaginal dryness, hot flashes and other menopausal symptoms as well as to treat menstrual irregularities, to treat women suffering from premenstrual syndrome and also to for pregnant women to induce labor.

Cat's claw has been used both to prevent and to treat disease including viral infections including the HIV virus and herpes, and other diseases such as arthritis, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. It is used to support the immune system and to insure kidney health.

Chamomile has been used for thousands of years to treat sleeplessness, anxiety, upset stomach, diarrhea and gas it can also treat mouth ulcers that result from cancer treatment.

The cranberry is both a food and a herbal product. The leaves and fruits have been used to treat liver problems, to heal wounds, to treat urinary disorders, diarrhea, diabetes and also stomach upsets.

The dandelion is a very common plant used to treat kidney disease, liver disease, spleen problems, digestive disorders and skin issues.

There are nine different species of echinacea that grow in the U.S. and Canada with the most potent being Echinacea purpurea. It is used to treat as well as to prevent the common cold, flu and other respiratory infections. It can stimulate the immune system so that it can better fight off infections and can also be used to heal wounds, to heal acne or also to heal other skin conditions such as boils.

Evening primrose oil is used to treat eczema, and rheumatoid arthritis. It can also be used to treat menopausal symptoms such as breast pain.

Feverfew has been used for quite a long time to treat fevers, headaches, toothaches and stomachaches, insect bites and menstruation problems. It can also be used to treat migraine headaches and the pain of rheumatoid arthritis.