Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is used commonly worldwide, even to treat chronic diseases. The most preferred way of CAM is the use of herbal medicines. The trend of using herbal medicines to prevent or treat diseases is increasing day by day. Although herbal products are harmless among many consumers, some herbs can cause induced side effects and can cause drug interaction. Human beings adopted different therapeutic strategies against chronic diseases such as Sociocultural, faunal, floral characteristics. It is the old traditional medicinal method to use herbs. The recent progress that occurs in modern therapeutics has stimulated the natural products used all around the world for diverse diseases. Different studies show many benefits of herbs on chronic diseases such as skin disease vitiligo condition, and obesity. The herbal extracts have other properties such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, etc.
1. Effects of Herbs on Chronic Diseases
According to WHO, traditional herbal medicine is very famous in every region of the world, and its consumption is expanding rapidly in developed countries. Herbal medicines consumption rate depends on how much public and health care professionals are interested in the medicinal use of the herbs. It depends on the identification of the herb, its effectiveness, toxicity level, therapeutic dosage, standardization, and regulation. Herbal medicines are mainly used for health promotion and therapy for chronic conditions. Usage of home herbal remedies increases when conventional medicines are ineffective for chronic diseases such as advanced cancer or any new infectious disease. Herbs contain different compounds that show effective reactions towards chronic diseases. Below down, discuss two chronic diseases and herbal medicines effects on them.
1.1. Benefits of herbs on chronic disease Obesity
Obesity is a complex disorder that involves an excessive amount of fat in the body. Obesity disease is a severe medical problem that can increase the chances of different diseases and health conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, certain cancer, hypertension etc.
Fenugreek:
It is a common household spice derived from the legume family, a plant known as Trigonella foenum-graecum. It helps to control appetite levels and reduces the intake of food that results in weight loss.
Ginger:
Ginger is made from the rhizome of the ginger plant flowering part, known as Zingiber officinale. Ginger is very effective for different diseases. One of them is obesity. For the reduction of belly fat and overall body weight, you can use ginger supplements.
Oregano:
It is a perennial herb from the same plant family as basil, mint, thyme, and sage. It contains a powerful compound known as carvacrol that can help to boost weight loss. The supplements of carvacrol directly impact some specific genes and proteins that can control the production of fat in the body.
1.2 Best Herbs for Vitiligo
Vitiligo is a chronic disease; pale white patches appear on the skin. Vitiligo cause is the less production of melanin, and it is the pigment in the skin. By this condition, any part of your skin gets affected. It commonly happens on the face, hands, and neck. Following are the herbs that are effective for vitiligo cure.
Ginkgo Biloba:
It is also known as the “maidenhair tree”, which is the oldest tree on Earth. Its leaves and seeds had been used as a medicine for a very long time. Ginkgo extract is very effective for treating diseases such as allergies, premenstrual syndrome, vertigo, headache and many others. It also has been used for the treatment of vitiligo. In addition, Ginkgo Biloba has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and antioxidant effects.
Picrorhiza kurroa:
Picrorhiza kurroa, which is also known as Kotaki. This Ayurvedic medicine has been used to treat vitiligo. It is another khellin extract that well- known because of its hepatoprotective properties. Herbal extracts have different properties like antioxidant and immune-modelling activities. This medicine has been used for the treatment of vitiligo. For better results regarding repigmentation, patients can use this medicine in association with methoxsalen photochemotherpay. This herbal medicine acts as a photosensitizing agent. It is one of the best herbs for the treatment of leucoderma.
Green Tea:
Extracts of green tea leaves are green tea polyphenols. Since ancient times it has been used in medicine. Green tea acts as an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory agent. It contains these properties because of its composition in Epigallocatechin-3-gallate. This drug can be systemically and topically administered. The polyphenols of green tea can be used to treat vitiligo to stop the oxidative stress of the melanocyte unit.
2. Why people are using herbal medicines more as compared to conventional medicines?
There are so many reasons that patients give more importance to herbal therapies. People with chronic diseases such as diabetes, arthritis, or AIDS are taking herbs as medicines. Patients believe that conventional medicine has failed them. Patients can use home remedies for acute conditions such as cold and sore throat because professional; care availability is not immediately, and it is too costly and time-consuming.
Conclusion
Natural plant products are much healthier than manufactured medicines. The adverse effect rate of conventional medicines is higher than the herbal toxicities. Physicians dismiss herbs as harmless placebos often. We can use natural sources of drugs as compared to conventional medicines. Herbalist knows the best herbal medicine for any chronic condition.