experience botanical energy of whole herbs and therapeutic healing of pure essential oils
Herbs have been used in all cultures throughout history and have always been integral to the practice of medicine. Extensive scientific documentation now exists concerning the use of botanicals for major and minor health conditions. The classic botanical definition is that an herb is a nonwoody plant that dies down to its roots each winter. This definition excludes woody trees and shrubs, including ginkgo and hawthorn, two of the biggest-selling medicinal “herbs” in Europe. That`s why the most preferred term is botanical (botanical medicine) as it includes trees and shrubs, as well as herbs valued for their medicinal or therapeutic properties. Botanical medicines can be derived from either the roots or aerial parts, such as flowers, bark, seeds and leaves. All herbal supplements and phytomedicines are botanical products.
For much of human history, botanicals were the only medicines available and there are well-developed botanical healing traditions in many parts of the world. The efficacy of these herbal approaches is underscored by the many pharmaceuticals that are derived from traditional medicinal plants. Read more about Phytomedicine.
In general, herbal medicines work in much the same way as conventional pharmaceutical drugs – via their chemical constituents. Herbs contain a large number of naturally occurring chemicals that have positive biological activity. A great deal of pharmaceutical research has gone into analyzing the active ingredients of herbs to find out how and why they work. This is referred to as the herb`s pharmacological action, the ways in which the remedy affects human physiology. In some cases, the action is due to a specific chemical present in the herb, or it may be due to a complex synergistic interaction among various constituents of the plant.
A much older and far more relevant approach is to categorize herbs by looking at what kinds of conditions can be treated with their help. Plants have a direct impact on physiological activity and by knowing what body process one wants to help or heal, the appropriate action can be selected.
The most common topical uses for botanicals are:
Antimicrobials: Herbs that help the body destroy or resist pathogenic (disease-causing) microorganisms. While some herbs contain chemicals that are antiseptic or poisonous to certain organisms, in general they aid the human body`s own natural immunity.
Anti-inflammatories: Herbs that soothe inflammation or reduce the inflammatory response of the tissue directly. They work in a number of ways, including inhibiting the formation of various chemicals produced by the body that tend to increase the inflammatory process.
Analgesics: Analgesic herbs have all-natural, nourishing, calming, and soothing analgesic effect and that too without any side effects.
Astringents: These herbs have a binding affect on mucous membranes, skin, and other tissues, reducing irritation and inflammation and creating a barrier against infection that is helpful to healing wounds and burns. This may result in the toning and tightening of the skin and tissues.
Demulcents: Herbs rich in mucilage soothe and protect irritated or inflamed tissues.
Historically, herbal remedies consisted of whole plants or parts of plants, and essential oils often blended for synergistic effect. It is following these principles that Folium Medica creates oils and detoxifying clay masks. They are the same Founder Natasha Samardzic used to heal her skin and resolve a chronic acne problem.
Folium Medica products are made from special botanicals only found in Europe/Mediterranean and have been used for generations and generations in that part of the world to keep skin healthy.