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The Essential Guide to Women’s Herbal Medicines

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If you are a woman of any age interested in herbal medicines and natural cures, The Essential Guide to Women’s Herbal Medicine
is a must read.

This wonderful guide was written by naturopath Dr. Cyndi Gilbert. Botanical medicine is one of the main therapies employed by naturopathic doctors.

Men and women alike are now turning to natural remedies for both treating and preventing health problems. It is becoming more and more accepted and understood that our ancestors had a lot to teach us, but for years most of us have been ignoring all of it, choosing to opt for modern chemical based medications. With all of the side effects of these medications, more and more people are choosing to learn more about traditional therapies and remedies, and are either using them as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs, or as a complement to conventional health care.

Dr. Gilbert provides clear information on herbal medicine treatments in her essential guide. She covers 25 topics, some that are specific to women only, but others that affect both men and women, like diabetes, high blood pressure and arthritis. She lists the signs and symptoms for each issue, so you can more easily decide if this is something that affects you personally. A complete profile for 49 herbs is also provided with the corresponding condition or ailment it treats, along with an easy-to-follow instructions for their use.

All of these herbal supplements can be found in your local pharmacy or health food store. Dr. Gilbert also includes special instructions for the safety of each herb along with any potential adverse effects and drug interactions. It really is an extensive guide to treating and preventing more than 20 health issues that often plague women, presented in an easy-to-understand format, combined with the most current research information available.

Dr. Gilbert provides case studies about each of the herbs she discusses, information on the history and energetics of herbs, as well as recipes for things like Anxiety Relieving Tea, a Cayenne Pain-Relief Balm, Open Heart Tea and more.

Did You Know?…


…that willow bark is one of the original inspirations for making Aspirin?

…that the medicinal uses of many herbs found in mythology and literature have now been proven by scientific research?

…that the plant chemical found in Berberine is comparable to the drug Metformin in the treatment of diabetes?

In an interview Dr. Gilbert answered a few questions for us about herbal medicine –

1. Why is herbal medicine important in this modern age?

Herbal medicine has always been the primary source of medicine in developing countries. In developed countries such as the U.S. and Canada, there has been a growing resurgence of interest in herbal medicine in part due to interest in complementary and alternative medicine, as well as a desire to reduce the use of pharmaceuticals, avoid side effects associated with certain drugs, and a shift to people taking more control of the health overall.

2. Many people are intimidated by home herbal remedies. How would you address their concerns?

Herbal remedies can be intimidating, especially when there are so many different ones available. This book provides a concise overview of the most commonly used and well researched herbs for different health conditions common to women. With the information provided in this book, women can have more informed discussions with their health care provider(s) about using herbal medicine and incorporate herbal medicine into their overall health plan.

3. What do you most want people to learn/take away from this book?

That many safe and effective medicinal herbs can be found in your kitchen or back yard. Choosing the best-suited herb or herbs for any health condition is most effective when considered holistically, based on traditional knowledge, energetics, and evidence-based research.

4. What would your Top 5 Tips be for someone just starting to make their own home herbal remedies?

1. Grow a few herbs in pots or in your garden to get to know them when they are living as well as when they are used in medicine.

2. Get to know the weeds growing in your backyard or neighbourhood: dandelion, shepherd’s purse, yarrow, burdock, red clover (or whatever herbs are found in abundance near you).

3. Drink more tea. Tea is a great ritual and way to set an intention for your health goals as well as getting a better sense of the taste and energetics of herbal remedies.

4. Use herbs that are already in your kitchen cupboard. Ginger, garlic, thyme, oregano, sage, rosemary, fennel, cinnamon, and turmeric are all good examples. (Note: search for recipes with any of these ingredients using the search bar above and to the left of this article and on every page on the site).

5. Learn to make a simple herbal salve for topical use.

I truly love this book. Dr. Gilbert has put so much thought into the kind of information women really need. It’s a 5 star recommended buy from me for all women.

About the Author

Dr. Cyndi Gilbert, BA, ND, is a professor of botanical medicine at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine with an eclectic medical practice in Toronto that includes men, women and children. She is a devout believer in herbal medicine and natural cures.

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