Overview
Have you been experiencing sudden neck or knee pain? Or are you having trouble sleeping? A herbal medicine appointment with us might be just what you need to increase your wellbeing. Here’s what you should know about herbal supplements for functional medicine.
What is Herbal Medicine?
Herbal medicine is a form of functional medicine that makes use of plants to treat the symptoms of illness and disease. Herbal medication makes use of all parts of the plant, including its leaves, flowers, seeds, and roots, as each of them provides particular benefits to help you achieve wellness.
Use of herbal medicine to alleviate disease has been used for thousands of years across the world. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), for example, herbs can be used alongside other forms of mind-body therapies to help bring balance to the body’s energy channels. An imbalance or stagnation of energy in your body can result in stress, migraines, digestive issues, and chronic pain.
Herbal medicine is considered a form of dietary supplements and is available as pills, capsules, powders, extracts, and tinctures. Common herbal medicines include chamomile, rosemary, and lavender, as well as garlic, ginger, and milk thistle.
What Are the Benefits of Herbal Medicine?
Herbal or botanical medicines can be used to treat a variety of ailments. Recent studies have shown that regular use of herbal medicines can:
- Improve immune function
- Reduce chronic pain
- Improve blood circulation and heart health
- Alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and depression
- Promote restful sleep
- Decrease digestive issues, including constipation and nausea, reduce inflammation
What to Expect During Your Herbal Medicine Appointment
If you’ve never taken herbal medicines before, it’s best to consult with a trained herbalist or certified naturopathic doctor at Chris Strickland before you begin. Some botanical dietary supplements can be toxic in high doses or negative interactions with your medications, so working with a trained professional is highly recommended. A certified herbalist or naturopath will begin your first appointment by asking you a comprehensive series of questions regarding your current health and whether you’re experiencing any symptoms of pain or illness.
These sessions typically last an hour and consider any current medications you may be taking, your diet, and overall physical and mental health. Your practitioner will then formulate an individual plan of treatment that includes herbal supplements, complementary therapies, and any dietary changes. You will typically be recommended to follow this plan for one to three months, and a follow-up consultation helps assess your progress along the way.
For more information about herbal medicine, contact Chris Strickland at (706) 769-9779.
Resources:
-
Bonding
Category:
Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Bonding is a process in which an enamel-like material is applied to a tooth`s surface, sculpted to an ideal shape, hardened, and then polished for an ideal smile. This procedure usually can be accomplished in a single visit.
Bonding is often performed in order to fill in gaps or change the color of
Read more
-
Braces (Orthodontia)
Category:
Treatment
Braces are applied to teeth for various reasons, including poorly aligned jaws, crooked, crowded and missing teeth, or a bad bite (also called malocclusion).
Various things can cause teeth to become crooked or jaws misaligned, including thumb-sucking or a traumatic injury. Some conditions are inherited.
Children
Read more
-
Breaking the Pain Cycle
Category:
Understanding Pain
Understanding the Pain Cycle
Pain is a complex physiological response that serves as the body's warning system. When we experience injury or illness, our nervous system sends signals to our brain, which interprets these signals as pain. This is known as the pain cycle.
In chronic conditions, this pain
Read more
-
Bridges
Category:
Treatment
Bridges are natural-looking dental appliances that can replace a section of missing teeth. Because they are custom-made, bridges are barely noticeable and can restore the natural contour of teeth as well as the proper bite relationship between upper and lower teeth.
There are several types of fixed
Read more
-
Brushing
Category:
Tooth Care
Brushing is the most effective method for removing harmful plaque from your teeth and gums. Getting the debris off your teeth and gums in a timely manner prevents bacteria in the food you eat from turning into harmful, cavity causing acids.
Most dentists agree that brushing three times a day is the
Read more
-
Bulimia Nervosa
Category:
Dental Problems
People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is because many of the behaviors associated with anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa—such as binge eating, self-induced vomiting, and use of diuretics or laxatives—cause changes in the mouth.
For example, repeated
Read more
-
Caloric Testing
Category:
Balance and Vestibular Disorders
The human sense of balance is a delicate orchestration of intricate mechanisms within the inner ear. Caloric testing, a specialized diagnostic procedure, takes center stage in unraveling the mysteries of vestibular function. In this exploration, we delve into the significance, procedures, and applications
Read more
-
Cancer Pain Management
Category:
Specialized Pain Conditions
Cancer pain is a complex condition that can be caused by the cancer itself, or as a side effect of treatments like surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation. It’s a specialized pain condition that requires a comprehensive and personalized approach to manage effectively.
The Complexity of Cancer Pain
Cancer
Read more
-
Canker/Cold Sores
Category:
Dental Problems
People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated. Both can be painful, but knowing the differences can help you keep them in check.
A canker sore is typically one that occurs on the delicate tissues inside your mouth. It is usually light-colored at its base and
Read more
-
Cavities and Tooth Decay
Category:
Dental Problems
What Is Tooth Decay?
Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities are called caries, which are caused by long-term destructive forces acting on tooth structures such as enamel and the tooth's inner dentin material.
These destructive forces include frequent exposure to
Read more
-
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) Assessments for Adults
Category:
Diagnostic Audiology
Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD) assessments play a crucial role in understanding and addressing adult auditory processing challenges. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the intricacies of CAPD assessments, elucidating their significance, methodologies, and the transformative
Read more
-
Chipped, Cracked, and Worn Teeth
Category:
Treatment, Cosmetic Dentistry
Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn down, cracked and chipped teeth. Veneers can also be used to close unsightly gaps between teeth. Stronger types of veneers made of porcelain, also called composite veneers, typically last longer because they are bonded
Read more
-
Choosing a Toothbrush
Category:
Product Reviews
Never before has there been such a dizzying array of toothbrushes on the market. Consumers are inundated with new designs, materials, attachments, and colors. Whatever toothbrush design you choose, the most important thing is that you use the toothbrush at least 2-3 times a day. Moreover, how long you
Read more
-
Chronic Prostatitis
Category:
Male Conditions
Chronic Prostatitis is a condition characterized by long-term pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, particularly in the prostate gland. It can cause symptoms such as pain or burning during urination, pain in the lower back, genital area, or between the scrotum and anus, and frequent urges to urinate.
Read more
-
Circumcision
Category:
Pediatric
Circumcision is a surgical procedure in which the foreskin of the penis is removed. It is a common practice in many cultures and is often performed for religious, cultural, or medical reasons. In some cases, circumcision may be performed to treat conditions such as phimosis (an inability to retract the
Read more
-
Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Pain
Category:
How Pain is Treated
The Power of the Mind in Pain Management
Pain is not just a physical sensation. It is a complex experience influenced by our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. This is where cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) comes into play. CBT is a psychological treatment that helps individuals understand the interplay
Read more