Doctors seldom or even never prescribe herbal remedies for sickness. Have you ever wondered why? Could it be because his pharmaceutical representative has never suggested one, given him samples, or tried to sell him one? No. The reason is because the multi-billion Pharmaceutical companies cannot make money from them. Herbal remedies cannot be patented, so they don't have any interest in them, except to tell you that they don't work.

But the truth is herbal remedies do work. They've been working for centuries, and goes back 5,000 years. Medicinal plants have even been found in Neanderthal burial sites.

The reason they work is because the plants work with the body's natural ability to heal itself. Millions of people worldwide still rely on them and use them successfully as a natural alternative to traditional medicine. Herbs are the oldest medicines known to man.

Herbal remedies can be taken in different ways. They can be applied to the skin as oil or cream, or they can be taken orally as capsules or teas, or added to food. In Europe, herbal medicines are still very common. In Germany, for example, they can still be found in apothecaries, or drugstores.

In the United States, health insurance does not cover herbal remedies, since they are called dietary supplements by law, and not drugs. But unlike drugs, they don't have any side effects or toxicity that is usually found in traditional drugs. People suffering from chronic or degenerative illnesses have been successful in using herbal remedies.

You should be cautious however, in taking herbal medicine if you are currently on prescribed medication because of the possible interaction. You should consult your healthcare provider before using any herbal supplements. Also, if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding, you should be cautious because there may not be enough information to determine how it might affect you or your baby.

Dosages for children are also made according to the weight of the child. The reason is because their bodies react differently to drugs or herbal remedies than adults. Your healthcare provider or a knowledgeable herbalist should be consulted before attempting to administer to a child. Adults and kids require different dosages.

Some examples of common herbal remedies are kava plant root, St. John's Wort, and butterbur plant. Natives of the Pacific islands have used kava root for ages to relieve anxiety and elevate their mood. As far back as the 14th Century, fevers and plagues were treated with the butterbur plant.

Modern uses of butterbur include treatment of allergies, ulcers, coughs and infections, migraine headaches and asthma symptoms. Extracts are taken from the stem, the leaves, and the root of the plant. St. John's Wort is used for calming, and helps with insomnia.

What many people don't realize is that many of our modern day medicines have their origins in herbs and other plants. A good example of this is the heart medication digitalis, which is derived from the popular garden flower, foxglove. An allopathic or homeopathic physician, or an experienced herbalist can help you determine which herbs you may be able to benefit from.