In recent years, the issue of alternative healing has skyrocketed to the forefront of the medical field. A recent government survey concluded that more than one third of adults use alternative medicine and healing.

One facet of this burgeoning interest is herbal medicine. While it may seem “trendy” to some, herbal medicine has been around for thousands of years. In fact, many of the familiar pharmaceutical medications we use today were originally created from “natural” ingredients. Drugs like opium (from poppies), aspirin (from willow bark), digitalis (from foxglove) and quinine (from the cinchona tree.)

Interestingly, the synthetic version of “aspirin” is credited with the beginning of the pharmaceutical industry. A chemist working for the Friedrich Bayer Company in Germany created the synthetic. The company registered the term “aspirin” as a trademark but Bayer lost the patent rights when the Allies seized and resold its foreign assets after World War I.

The right to use the term “aspirin” in the United States was purchased by Sterling Drug in 1918. But even before the patent expired in 1917, Bayer had been unable to prevent their formula from being copied. Hence, the term “aspirin” has been a generic term in the U.S. ever since.

It would be impossible to cover this topic adequately in one online guide. What I will endeavor to do with this guide is provide you with an overview of herbal remedies and subsequently give you an in-depth look at simple herbal remedies to common, everyday ailments.

Please remember that there is no substitute for advice from a medical practitioner. The contents provided here should not replace a health and fitness program and is provided for educational purposes only. You should consult your own medical practitioner before embarking on any program that affects your health and well being.

• The history of herbal medicine
• Herbal remedies: Agar Agar - Astragalus
• Herbal remedies: Balm - Bitter Root
• Herbal remedies: Bitter Sweet - Butternut
• Herbal remedies: Calamus - Corn Silk
• Herbal remedies: Damiana - Fo-ti
• Herbal remedies: Garlic - Hyssop
• Herbal remedies: Juniper Berries - Myrrh Gum
• Herbal remedies: Nettle - Rue
• Herbal remedies: St Johns Wort - Squaw Vine
• Herbal remedies: Tansy - Yucca
• How to choose the right herbal remedy
• Natural herbal remedies: Acne - Athlete's Foot
• Natural herbal remedies: Bad Breath - Coughing
• Natural herbal remedies: Dandruff - Gout
• Natural herbal remedies: Headache - Nausea
• Natural herbal remedies: Osteoporosis - Swelling
• Natural herbal remedies: Tinnitus - Yeast Infections
• What are the harmful effects of herbs and herbal remedies?
• 14 quick and effective herbal remedies