Herbs: A List of Helpful Tips for Herb Shopping

IMPORTANT NOTE: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE LABEL TO MAKE SURE THE MEDICINAL HERBAL PRODUCT DOES NOT CONTAIN SOMETHING THAT YOU MAY BE ALLERGIC TO AND WON'T MIX WELL WITH OTHER MEDICATIONS YOU'RE TAKING.

Certain herbs have a lot different abilities. If you're looking to restore your mental and emotional health, there are herbs to calm you down, and help you think. Feeling like you want to try another diet, there are a set of herbs that may curb your appetite and maybe even burn off fat while you don't realize it. Check out your closest library, get an herbal medicine book or read one of my other articles for more details.

You might not need a specific herb and all of the time, and money you put into getting them becomes a waste. The herb might not do what it's supposed to do. You might as well flush them down the toilet as soon as you get them home. While you're at it, empty your wallet into the toilet too.

Some herbs can be harmful if not taken properly. Specific herbs need to be taken at specific times. You might be allergic to some herbs. Certain books will inform you of each herbs effect on the body. They may also list the dos and don'ts of taking an herb. Then there are my other AC articles on herbs you'll definitely want to take a look at.

Pick the best brands

Herbs come from many different whole salers, each have a different price, each come with different potencies, and types. Some retailers only sell in tea form, capsule form or extract forms.

There are easy ways to pick your brand of herbal medicine. Always try to stick with "Standardized". Standardized comes with the guarantee that you're getting the real, pure herbal meds that contain the actual potency on the label. Some companies have put too much of one thing in a pill and too little of the right stuff.

Go with organic

If you see "certified organic" on the label, you're on the right track. You're not getting some cheap knock-off with more additives than the actual product. This means the herb was grown in natural soil and spoiled by nasty chemicals.

Learn to speak Latin

Most herbs, like certain medications will come labeled in two forms. One is an easy-to-read nickname. The other is a Latin term.

Sometimes, you might not even find the nickname. For example, instead of black cohosh you would read cimicifuga (which just so happens to be Latin for "bug repellent").

More tips

If it's old, don't buy it. In fact, let someone know, because it shouldn't even be on the shelf.

Take as much as you feel necessary. Try one for one day and keep an eye out in case of any allergic reaction.

Try not to pick up multi-vitamins or combinations of herbs. You get the most for your buck with single herbs and vitamins.

Next, this goes back to what I said before. Choose brand names that have been proven. That's where your research will come in handy.

Simple Dos and Don'ts

Do: For the most part, a shopper really should keep to the herbs that is best for them. Write down the herbs you're taking like a grocery list.

Don't: Try not to be overwhelmed by the number of herbs on the shelves. Just stick to those herbs you've got written down on your list, and it should make your shopping experience far less confusing.

Personal note: If there is any trouble finding an herb at the local herb store, you can buy herbs online. Finding them through Google may be a lot easier than thumbing through all of the bottles on the shelves.

In my articles to follow, you'll find out all about some great herbs that I highly recommend you try.

Herbal First Aide

No home should be without this recipe for an herbal first aide kit.

You must have Aloe Vera. The gel from the plant's leaves will help in relieving pain, and healing burns and cuts. Believe me, I know this works.

Also, you should have Arnica. Another healing gel that will take the blue out of bruises.

Take Calendula. When taken as a tea, this dry leaf will help clean cuts.

For indigestion, anxiety and insomnia, take some Chamomile in tea form.

You should most definitely take Echinachea if you want to treat the flu or the common cold.

Gingerroot is great for relaxing the stomach, killing nausea, and putting an end to motion sickness.

Keep a bottle of Witch Hazel handy to stop infections, and heal minor burns and rashes.

Online distributers

HerbalRedemedies.com

herbalcom.com

buyherbsonline.com

drugstore.com

PuritanSale.com

eyefive.com

vetanetonline.com

enaturalredemedies.com

Herbal Resources

The Herb Book by John Lust

The Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis Balch

Back to Eden, 2nd Revised Edition by Jethro Kloss & Promise K. Moffet

Children's Herbal Health by Deanne Tenney

Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook by James Duke, Ph.D

Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine by Michael Nurray, N.D.

Herbally Yours by Penny C. Royal

A Modern Herbal by Mrs. Grieve

Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine by Steven Foster and Rebecca L. Johnson

Read up on an herb or herbs first