Before the advent of the pharmaceutical industry and medicines, herbalists were the ones who sought out and discovered plants to help people - a cure for various diseases and ailments. Knowledge about the effectiveness and beneficial effects of herbs in specific diseases was passed on from word of mouth even before the appearance of writing and has become part of folk wisdom and memory.

Some of the herbal recipes used to this day are known to ancient man and have been handed down to us for millennia.

Herbs actually help with a number of disease states and this is neither quackery nor self-suggestion. Some plants and herbs contain valuable substances in their natural form, which science later uses to make medicines. Remember, for example, the native snowdrop used as a remedy for polio. Chamomile is still used for inflammatory processes, calendula - for skin problems, burns and wounds, thyme - for problems with the respiratory tract and cough, and aloe and onion were used in the healing recipes of the ancient Egyptians.

It would be difficult to determine the birth date of herbalism, but it is clear that the first attempt at a recipe book or rather a herbalism textbook dates back to around 2700 BC. and is the work of doctors from Ancient China.

A role in the knowledge of herbs and their use to help the sick is played not only by herbalists, healers and the peoples themselves, but also by ancient doctors such as Galen and Hippocrates.

In our country, the traditions, knowledge and skills of the Bulgarians in herbalism were mainly inherited from the Thracians. The Bogomils contribute the most to the spread and preservation of this form of treatment in Bulgaria. Even today, there are drugstores and pharmacies offering patients various herbal products or dry herbs.

Because herbs are known to be chemical-free, have no unwanted side effects, are sold without a prescription, and can even be purchased over the counter, patients rarely share with their doctors what herbs they are taking along with their prescribed medication.

This is a gross mistake that can negatively affect the treatment of the disease, since there are herbs that are inadmissible and dangerous to take in parallel with certain drugs.

Here a few of the herbs that everyone should be aware of if combined with medicinal treatment:

Laxative herbs like senna, mucilaginous herbs like linseed, plantain seeds, etc. should not be taken together with medicines, as they reduce the effect of the medicines. It is not necessary to give up herbs completely, just take them no earlier than 3-4 hours before or after taking the medicine, so that they do not interfere with its absorption and do not negatively affect its healing effect.

The simultaneous intake of St. John's wort, known for its calming properties, and antidepressants can lead to serotonin syndrome, which is why such intake is not only undesirable, but also dangerous. The same applies to two other herbs - ginseng and valerian, which also have sedative properties, but their combination with antidepressants, anxiolytics or anticonvulsants is dangerous and should be avoided.

Another herb that should be taken with caution is ginkgo biloba. It is extremely popular in adulthood and is the main ingredient of many nutritional supplements because of its beneficial effects on memory and the brain, but precisely because of its increased intake by the elderly, care must be taken with it. Adults also often take aspirin or other drugs that reduce blood clotting, as well as anticoagulants, and their effects are enhanced by ginkgo biloba. This creates a risk of dangerous and even life-threatening bleeding

This is why before deciding to combine herbs and meditations always consult with specialist before you create more complicated situation for your own body and mind 🙏

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Stob, Bulgaria