The use of alternative herbal medicine can be traced back to ancient times. The lack of modern medical technology has made our ancestors improve their healing arts by making use of nature's gifts. Even today, current medical discoveries are mostly based on the findings and usage of natural herbal components by early civilization, improving it to become useful in today's health-related concerns. Where It All Began The use of alternative herbal medicine started out as trial and error. Application looms large in the practice than actual research; though the latter came sometime later when medical practices started its evolution. The basic application of herbal medicine involves disinfecting wounds or used as a poultice. Later discovery on the method involves pounding leaves and roots to paste for directly administering it to patients. Healing Power Of Herbs

It later evolved into combination with other potent medicine to improve its effects and was even later introduced to meals and normal human diet to promote better health and improve physical, emotional, and mental recovery. Variation Of Use The use of herbal medicine varies according to the customs, traditions, and beliefs of the different races. Medical practitioners of the Orient tend to use herbal components in all aspect of their daily lifestyle -- integrating them into a person's daily diet to promote healing and longevity, as well as improving their normal rejuvenation capabilities. Oriental medical practitioners are also known to use herbal products alongside energy therapy, like Qi Gong and Reiki. Energies provided by an experienced practitioner of the arts stimulate the healing process from the outside, while nutrients and extract from herbal components works its function on the inside to achieve total body rejuvenation. North American's use of herbal medicine varies; aside from its basic use to treat wounds and cure minor ailments, these natural components are also utilized in tribal ceremonies and customs - to drive away evil spirits, blessing during weddings and celebrations, and so on. Some of these healing traditions involving herbal components are carried on even today. Uses Of Herbal Medicine Alternative herbal medicine has many uses today. Aside from being utilized for physical ailments -- like sore throat, fever, flu, diarrhea -- herbal concoction are now being used to address emotional and mental problems.