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Western Herbs Herbal therapies have been used for centuries, long before the development of pharmaceuticals, which actually are sometimes derived from chemicals found in plants. Herbs are not drugs. An herb is not a single bioactive chemical, but contains dozens of bioactive chemicals that work together in many different ways.
Herbs are considered to be safer and gentler than conventional drugs. Adverse reactions can occur, but are rare and are usually due to an allergy to something in the herb. Herbs-drug interactions do occur, however, so it is |
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Herbs grow all over the world. Herbalists have the job of selecting the most useful plants, determining which plant parts ought to be used, and deciding the correct method of using them. In China, unlike other parts of the world, herbalists have sought out special tonic herbs that can be taken daily for improvement of physical condition, enhancement of energy, increase in resistance to disease and prolongation of life. These herbs especially distinguish Chinese herbs form others.
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