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Health Promoting Herbs as Useful Adjuncts to Prevent Chronic Diseases

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Nutritional Health

Part of the book series: Nutrition ◊ and ◊ Health ((NH))

Abstract

Plants have played a significant role in maintaining the health and improving the quality of human life for thousands of years. The majority of the earth’s inhabitants rely on traditional medicine for their primary health-care needs, and a major part of this therapy involves the use of plants, plant extracts, or their active principles. For centuries, American Indians have utilized a number of native herbs for medicinal purposes. During the past decade, many more Americans have turned to herbal remedies for the treatment of a variety of medical conditions including coughs and colds, insomnia, digestive problems, headache, premenstrual syndrome, prostate problems, anxiety, and depression. The increasing use of herbs in the United States has been fueled by the high cost of drugs, the fear of side effects experienced with conventional drugs, and the desire to take more personal responsibility for one’ s health in a way that is perceived as more natural.

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  1. Winston J. Craig
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Exercise and Sport Science/Health Education, University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, La Crosse, WI, USA

    Ted Wilson PhD

  2. Centre for Science, Athabasca University, Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

    Norman J. Temple PhD

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Craig, W.J. (2001). Health Promoting Herbs as Useful Adjuncts to Prevent Chronic Diseases. In: Wilson, T., Temple, N.J. (eds) Nutritional Health. Nutrition ◊ and ◊ Health. Humana Press, Totowa, NJ. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-226-5_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59259-226-5_15

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, Totowa, NJ

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-6054-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-226-5

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