1. What are herbs?

Herbs are the highest quality food known to man. They contain vitamins, minerals, and trace elements in natural balance and harmony. All herbs are plants. Depending on the nutrition desired, the leaves, flowers, fruits, stems, roots, bark, or the entire plant may be used.

2. Why should I use herbs?

It is our sincere belief that God our Creator put herbs upon the earth to maintain and restore our health (Genesis 1:29; Exodus 15:26; Psalm 104:14; Revelation 22:2). We believe that instead of simply masking symptoms as many pharmaceuticals do, herbs get to the real cause of health problems by feeding the body the nutrition that it needs to complete the healing process that God created into each of us. Click here for more about what the Bible says about herbs and health.

3. What is the main difference between taking herbs and taking drugs?

Because we believe that God uniquely and supernaturally created mankind and originally placed him in a garden, we also believe that everything that is needed for man's health can be found in that garden. The vast majority of modern "drugs" were originally developed from plants, and many are still based on their original plant formulas.

   Many (if not most) prescription and over-the-counter drugs are now chemically-reproduced (counterfeited, actually) copies of the original natural substance.

   It is also openly admitted by most "traditional" health care professionals that Western medicine is more concerned with the suppression of symptoms than with the actual restoration of health. It is estimated (by the A.M.A.) that as many as 80% of all prescription medications are dispensed to counter the undesired effects of other prescription medications.

   Herbs do not "mask" or hide symptoms — instead, they feed the body the nutrition that it needs to properly heal the root causes of the symptoms.

4. Are there any bad side effects using herbs?

No, but some people experience a normal and natural cleansing action (such as nausea, diarrhea, aches, etc.) on the body when first using herbs. These effects may occur when the body releases stored toxins from the cells into the bloodstream so they may be properly processed and eliminated. It is this detoxifying process that helps start bringing the body into a state of health.

5. Do I treat herbs like drugs (small dosage, caution in mixing, possible overdose)?

Herbs are food, not drugs. Herbs can be taken in large quantities with no harmful side effects. Mixing herbs has less of a side effect than eating different foods together. Therefore, you can take all the herbs you want to get greater health benefits.

Most chemical drugs can be taken at the same time as herbs, but is preferable to take herbs and drugs at different times because of the way the body digests them differently.

If you are taking any prescription medications, you should check with your licensed health care professional or pharmacist for possible interactions between your prescription and any herbal products.

For example, if you are taking a prescription blood-thinner, you would not want to also take an herbal blood-thinner at the same time. Click here for a list of cautions regarding herbal products.

6. How many herbs should I take, and for how long?

"When using a new herb, begin with a recommended dosage and observe how your body reacts to it. If you do not receive the desired result, increase or decrease the dosage accordingly. When herbs are used for restoring health, dosages will need to be five to seven times that which is required for maintaining health.

Depending, of course, on the ailment and the severity of it, approximately three months of sustained high dosage is usually required before the body is repaired. Sometimes it takes a full year for reparation to occur so that a person goes through all four seasons.

The science of Homeopathy teaches that it takes one month for every year of illness for the person to rebuild the body."

— Dr. Jack Ritchason
The Little Herb Encyclopedia

7. How soon should I expect to get results?

It is impossible to give a set answer. There are many factors involved ? the severity of the problem, the person's assimilation and digestive system, the number of herbs taken, and the particular problem. However, people with certain problems like constipation and blood sugar imbalance will usually see excellent results within a day, while someone with cancer or arthritis may not feel any difference for weeks.

8. Can I quit taking my chemical drugs when I start taking herbs?

Herbs are a slow, safe, cure. Don't ever suddenly quit taking drugs that you are dependent upon. However, many people have safely and successfully decreased, or even eliminated, drug dosage and frequency gradually with the use of herbs. Be sure to check with your licensed health care provider before discontinuing any prescription medications.

9. When is the best time to take herbs?

Since herbs are food, you can take them whenever you want. Most people will take them before meals so the liquid they take them with won't dilute their digestive juices. Some people who take their herbs after meals may experience some minor burping. Others on a busy schedule will prefer to take them the first thing in the morning and the last thing at night. Herbs for insomnia and cleansing are mostly taken at night. Appetite suppressants and blood sugar balancers are best taken 15 to 30 minutes before the problem usually occurs. The timing can be best determined by the individual's own experience.

10. It seems like I have to take an awful lot of herb pills or capsules to get the desired dose. Why is that so?

Herbs are natural foods, like broccoli. Think of the normal serving size for a portion of broccoli (or cauliflower). Now think of how many capsules it would take to fit that same serving size if you were to dry the broccoli and then put it into capsules. It takes a bunch of capsules to fit a bunch of broccoli, doesn't it? (Pun intended!)

11. I seem to be "allergic" to some herbs. Why is that?

Although it is possible for some people to be allergic to some foods, it is very unlikely that many people will have any kind of negative reaction at all to good-quality herbs. (It is possible that some manufacturers of herbal products have an inadequate quality control process, and their products may not be sufficiently pure — you may be having a reaction to contaminants in the product.)

Remember, herbs are natural foods, like broccoli and parsley. If you experience what seems like an adverse reaction to herbs, the most likely reason is that you are beginning to feel the cleansing and purging action that herbs have on the toxins in your body. (See also question 4.)

These toxins have been stored up in your cells and organs for many years, and as the herbs begin the cleansing action, the toxins are released from your cells into your blood stream so they may be filtered and eliminated as the natural healing process begins to occur.

If you are in doubt as to your ability to take herbs, you should consult a qualified health care professional (usually a naturopath, nutritionist, chiropractor, or osteopath is best qualified to advise you — most medical doctors have no more than a one-semester class [or less] in nutrition as part of their training, and are therefore unqualified to advise you on nutrition). However, you should check the few product cautions before deciding on an herbal alternative.