Herbs in Many Forms

Herbs and herbal products come in many forms, and are now available not only in natural food stores, but also grocery stores, drugstores and gourmet food stores. Also, a number of multilevel marketing organizations sell a variety of herbal products, as do mail order purveyors.

Conditions Benefited by Herbal Medicine

Herbal remedies and supplements can be used for a wide range of minor ailments that are amenable to self-medication, including stomach upset, the common cold, minor aches and pains, constipation and diarrhea, coughs, headaches, menstrual cramps, digestive disturbances, sore muscles, sore muscles, skin rashes, sunburn, dandruff, and insomnia. A growing number of American health consumers use herbal remedies for these conditions, which have been traditionally the domain of the nonprescription or over-the-counter drugs.

Other conditions that respond well to herbal medicine include:  digestive disorders such as peptic ulcers, colitis and irritable bowel syndrome; rheumatic and arthritic conditions; chronic skin problems such as eczema and psoriasis; problems of the menstrual cycle and especially premenstrual syndrome; anxiety and tension-related stress; bronchitis and other respiratory conditions; hypertension; and allergies. 

Herbal medicines can also be used for a number of conditions normally treated by prescription only. One example is milk thistle seed extract for use in cirrh