Herbal medicines have been in use for many centuries. Here are a few merits and demerits of herbal medicines. Today, people around the globe are giving preference to alternative medicines such as ayurveda, naturopathy, homeopathy and herbal medicine. It is worth mentioning that these natural and alternative medicines were used thousands of years ago. Archaeological evidences reveal that the civilizations of the bygone era used herbal plants as part of traditional medicine. The earliest documentation about the usage of herbal remedies comes from China and dates back to 2800 BC. For almost 5000 years, herbal medicine was used for treating various ailments. Today, it has been developed as a separate industry as many people favor herbal medicine over synthetic medicine. Advantages of Herbal Medicine Herbal medicine is cost effective and less expensive than the medicines bought from an allopathic pharmacy. Another merit of herbal medicine is that it can be bought without a prescription. They are available in any health store. Herbal medicine and remedies are more effective than allopathic medicine for certain ailments. The chemical medicine prescribed by a pharmacist could have certain negative side effects. However, many of the herbal medicines and remedies do not have negative side effects. If any, they are softer than allopathic medicine. Herbal medicine can be effectively used for body’s natural detoxification process. The herbs such as Plantago psyllium seed, rhubarb juice powder, aloe vera, alfalfa juice, chlorella, carrot concentrate and garlic can be used to cleanse the colon, improve digestion and food absorption and boost your immune system. Some digestive disorders such as colitis, indigestion, peptic ulcers and irritable bowel syndrome can be cured using the herbs. Herbal medicine which includes herbs such as ginger, capsicum, garlic and motherwort help to control the ailments related to blood circulation such as high blood pressure, varicose ulcers and so on. Many of the herbal medicines are used to treat coronary artery disease and to reduce cholesterol level in the blood stream. Obesity is the cause of many of the health problems. Herbal medicine can help reduce excess weight and regulate appetite. Disadvantages of Herbal Medicine Like all forms of alternative health care, herbal medicine also has few demerits. Here are a few of them. Cure using herbal medicine and supplements would take some time. You should possess immense patience. Herbal medicine contains various ingredients and you should be sure that your body agrees with the ingredients and it is not allergic. A point worth mentioning here is, herbal remedies and medicine for certain ailments may have negative side effects. These side effects may not be revealed immediately, but would take months or even years. In the initial stages, if the herbal medicine is not agreeing with you, it is wise to stop using it. Remember, the government does not regulate herbal medicine industry. Hence, there is no quality assurance for herbal products. There are very few good practitioners of herbal medicine and it would be wise to ensure that you consult a good practitioner before starting on herbal medicine.