Herbal Health Food Development

The practice of using herbs for medicine and to prevent disease has existed since healing began. Herbology thrived until the early 20th century, when modern medicine made its mark. Now, near the year 2000, herb medicine or the use of nutraceuticals is again becoming a common practice by a large portion of the population. Anyone who has visited a drug or general store lately has probably noticed the rows upon rows of herbs and herbal mixtures available for a whole gamut of conditions.

Herbs have obviously gained an acceptance by a great many people, including pharmacists, physicians, nurses, as well as holistic practitioners. Although not free from adverse effects, herbal medicines quite often offer a wholesome alternative to more toxic pharmaceutical treatments.

As the name suggests, herbs are plants, pure and simple. Plant leaves, flowers, roots, seeds, barks - depending on the herb, any part of the plant could be medicinally useful and effective.

So, if you know nothing about herbs, how on earth do you choose from the dozens of different names on the shelf? You can start right where you are. Some wonderful resources are available on the Web that can help you with just such a task (we'll help point you in the right direction, of course).