Did you know that one of the key distinctions between aromatherapy and herbal medicine lies in the way that the raw plant material is prepared?

• Extraction of essential oils for aromatherapy
• Grinding of natural plant substances for herbal medicine

Herbal medicine is based on the use of plants or plant derived substances used to cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent disease. While the term herbal medicine is commonly used, it includes plant parts such as bark, seeds, roots and stems that are not actually herbs. Hence the term Botanical Medicine is sometimes used. Plants and minerals have been used in this way in all cultures from prehistory on.

In the US and Canada most botanical medicines are classified and regulated as dietary supplements, which means that manufacturers cannot claim that their product can treat or prevent disease. Even though that is why consumers take them. They are often used in conjunction with standard western health care therapies. But there is potential for interactions with some medications along with contraindications. So, consumers and providers need to research carefully before taking or prescribing botanical medicines.

According to an HerbalGram report, the top selling botanical in 2011 were cranberry, saw palmetto, soy, garlic, and ginkgo. Let's review why people buy these botanicals.

Cranberry juice and concentrated cranberry extracts have become widely used for prevention and occasional treatment of urinary tract infections. Clinical studies have shown it to be effective but not in all populations. The effectiveness of cranberry is thought to be related to its antimicrobial properties and possibly because it prevents bacteria from sticking to the urinary tract.

Saw palmetto is used by consumers for benign prostatic hyperplasia. Well, early clinical studies that compared saw palmetto to finesse dried, found that saw palmetto was comparable in efficacy. More recent studies have found no differences between saw palmetto and placebo.

Soy is an isoflavone that is taken most commonly to treat menopausal symptoms. Although some studies question the effectiveness of isoflavones, one 2006 study noted that soy protein appears to reduce total cholesterol levels. Overall, the study concluded that isoflavones in soy appear to have a small but positive affect and would be beneficial for menopausal women.

Standardized garlic extract is most often used in the US for its ability to lower cholesterol in serum triglycerides. However, recent studies indicate that well it does lower serum triglycerides, it does not lower LDL cholesterol. There is some evidence that it may be useful for many other purposes, including stabilizing blood pressure, enhancing immune functions, protecting against infections, and supporting cardiovascular functions.

Ginkgo has been well investigated clinically particularly for its efficacy and improving memory and cognitive functions in elderly people suffering from impaired cerebral circulation. Some studies state that its benefits are inconsistent or unconvincing. However, numerous other clinical studies have reported positive outcomes of ginkgo biloba treatment for the prevention of cognitive deficits in the elderly.

Clinical aromatherapy is the use of essential oils that are extracted from a single specified biologic source, flowers, herbs, trees. They're used as a therapy to improve physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Essential oils are most often used by inhaling them or by applying a diluted form to the skin. They are often used in conjunction with other integrative treatments such as massage or guided imagery. If used properly, essential oils are considered by the FDA and Health Canada to be “generally safe and adverse effects from inhalation of the essential oils normally used in clinical aromatherapy or rare”. However, essential oils are pharmacologically active compounds and providers must pay attention to dosage, purity, route of administration and drug interactions. Some essential oils taken in large doses are considered carcinogenic, mutagenic, dermato toxic or hepatotoxic.

To give you a sense of how people use essential oils, tea tree is commonly used topically for treating bacterial fungal and viral infections.

Peppermint is used for headaches, fever, nausea, fatigue and gastrointestinal issues. It can be inhaled applied topically or ingested.

Lavender is used for minor burns, insomnia, pain relief in wound care. It can be inhaled or applied topically. Lavender is one of the few oils that can be placed neat or directly on the skin without being diluted.

• German chamomile is used as an anti-inflammatory with topical application.
• Bergamot is used to some mild antidepressant sedative. It can be inhaled or applied topically.
• Rosemary is used as a stimulant and anti-infective. It can also be inhaled or applied topically.
• Eucalyptus is inhaled for respiratory infections.
• Ginger is used for nausea and as an anti-inflammatory agent. It can be inhaled or applied topically.
• Lemongrass is applied topically is an antifungal.
• Basil can be applied topically as an insect repellent and an anti-parasitic. 

Do you have questions about specific herbs or essential oils, what their health benefits are and how they can increase your health and wellness? Post your natural health questions below!