Phytotherapy in Montpellier. Treat yourself with medicinal plants.

Decoctions are preferred for the toughest parts of the plant such as roots, rhizomes, bark or seeds. The method will be generally the same as for infusion, but the times will be extended. So, the plants and water are placed covered in a saucepan, then brought to a low boil for 10 to 15 minutes, then left to infuse for a further 10 to 15 minutes off the heat, before being filtered.

Infusions and decoctions can be consumed hot or cold. For external use, they can be used as compresses (to disinfect a wound, soothe conjunctivitis, etc.), as a mouthwash (for canker sores, gingivitis, etc.) or as a sitz bath (for hemorrhoids, vulvitis, vaginitis, etc.).

Regarding proportions, there is generally a good tablespoon of plant for a quarter of a liter of water. The quantity can be adapted to each person's taste sensitivity, but also to the volume of plants present in the mixture.

Little extra: if you have a mixture, make sure to have a little of each of your plants in your preparation.

Plant powders are obtained after fine grinding of all or part of a previously dried plant. It is an interesting method of preserving and concentrating the plant, especially with the toughest parts such as the roots, rhizomes or seeds. For example, turmeric, ginger, astragalus and even guarana powders are quite easily found on the market. They can then be added to a compote, yogurt, a glass of water, or fruit or vegetable juice.

Mother tinctures and alcoholides are liquid plant extracts obtained by macerating all or part of the plants in alcohol for approximately 3 weeks. The mother tinctures are then filtered and stored in opaque bottles. Alcohol having a greater extraction power than water, these preparations will be richer and more concentrated in active ingredients. The preparation will generally be diluted in a liquid (water, fruit juice, lukewarm herbal tea, etc.). For an adult, there are generally 30 drops, 2 to 3 times a day, for a duration which can range from a few days to 2 or 3 months. Here again, the quantity, duration and distribution of the doses will have to be adapted to the needs, the type of imbalance to be treated, the reactions of the person, etc.

Capsules and tablets are solid forms of herbal preparation. We generally find our plants previously dried and crushed, then packaged in the form of capsules or tablets. These forms are often easier to ingest and the quantity of active ingredients is known. They will therefore be particularly suitable for people who do not like the taste of plants or who need to take specific doses. However, you will need to pay attention to the quality and quantity of the plants used.

Obtained by distillation, essential oils are concentrated extracts of aromatic plants. This is the quintessence of the plant. They contain the volatile active ingredients of plants. Hydrosols are the second product obtained during distillation and contain heavier aromatic active ingredients. Although less concentrated, hydrosols also have many applications and are often underutilized. Different methods of administration of essential oils and hydrosols are possible. However, they will be dictated by the composition of the latter. Certain essential oils cannot be ingested, or possibly for some, under the control of an aromatherapist doctor who will define a precise time and dosage. Oral intake will be in a neutral tablet, in a spoonful of honey or in the form of an oleocapsule. Essential oils can be inhaled directly from the bottle, placed in a diffuser or even applied topically. Finally, they can also be used in massage diluted in vegetable oil. Again, some oils can be dermocaustic. In order to anticipate any intolerance problems, a skin test on the fold of the neck with the essential oil will verify the presence or absence of inappropriate skin reactions.

EFGM or honeyed glycerin fluid extracts are obtained after maceration of plant parts in a combination of 4 solvents (water, alcohol, glycerin and honey) allowing a wider range of active ingredients to be extracted from the plant. These EFGMs contain less alcohol and are more concentrated than an alcoholature or mother tincture. This type of preparation is used in particular in gemmotherapy for buds and young tissues.

Whatever our age, many of us suffer from sleep disorders. Difficulty falling asleep, waking up at night, difficult mornings with the feeling of being even more tired than the day before. Herbal medicine can help us improve the quality of our sleep. If certain plants with sedative qualities such as valerian, passionflower or escholtzia can improve the depth of our sleep, others will have a relaxing and soothing action such as lavender, matricaria, ballote, lemon verbena or even lemon balm, which will also have a digestive action. The use of soothing essential oils in diffusion, in massage or in a bath, the tasting of an evening herbal tea to settle down after the meal, the taking of a complex of EFGM (Fluid Extracts of Gemmotherapy) of plants well chosen are all solutions at your disposal. The search for the origin of sleep disorders must always be the starting point for developing phytotherapy support. The causes of these disorders can be diverse: stress, anxiety, excessive worry, hyperactivity, digestion difficulties, pain, lack of melatonin, hot flashes, restless legs, etc. . Knowledge of these causes is essential to developing the most accurate support for each person's individual problem. However, if the problems find their origin in pathologies such as sleep apnea, contacting your referring doctor will be essential. Then, secondly and in agreement with your doctor, you can combine herbal medicine support.

Some common-sense health and diet advice such as avoiding stimulants in the second half of the day such as coffee, tea, tobacco, sodas, alcohol, etc., engaging in physical activity, avoiding screens one to two hours before to go to bed, prefer a calm activity such as reading, a relaxation session, meditation or gentle yoga. Taking a lukewarm shower is also conducive to sleep by lowering body temperature. In the evening, choose a light dinner around 2 hours before going to bed and, if possible, go for a walk after the meal, this will help your digestion. Among the main and most common causes of sleep disorders, we have stress, anxiety, irritation and ruminations following trying and busy days. Making your home, your bedroom a space conducive to calm, rest and rejuvenation can be a crucial point.

Herbal medicines are also used to treat various skin problems, such as acne, eczema, psoriasis and skin infections. The anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and healing properties of certain plants, such as aloe, calendula, witch hazel, burdock, wild pansy and rosehip, can help reduce inflammation, fight infections and accelerate skin healing.

Herbal medicine can be used to help manage stress and anxiety using adaptogenic and relaxing herbs. Adaptogenic herbs, such as ginseng, rhodiola, eleuthero and ashwagandha, help balance stress hormones and improve resistance to stress. Relaxing herbs, such as passionflower, hawthorn, verbena, and trefoil, can help reduce anxiety and promote a calmer state of mind.

Some medicinal plants are used to strengthen the immune system and prevent infections. Herbs like echinacea, astragalus, and elderberry are known for their immune-boosting and antiviral properties that can help prevent and fight common infections, like colds and flu.

Phytotherapy can also be used to support many other health imbalances, such as osteoarticular pain (osteoarthritis, arthritis), headaches, rhinitis and chronic respiratory allergies, female disorders such as premenstrual syndrome, circulatory problems such as heavy leg problems, providing urinary comfort for a prostate problem.

For example, harpagophytum and turmeric combined with black pepper are often used to relieve joint pain and associated inflammation. For respiratory disorders, such as coughs, bronchitis, plants such as thyme, eucalyptus and Scots pine are used for their antiseptic, expectorant, antitussive and anti-inflammatory properties. Ginkgo biloba will improve cognition, memory and concentration by acting on cerebral microcirculation. Hawthorn supports heart rhythm disorders such as tachycardia or palpitations with a nervous component. Finally, hormonal disorders, such as premenstrual syndrome or menopause, can be addressed with medicinal plants such as cohosh, chasteberry, lady's mantle, yarrow or even raspberry and lingonberry gemmotherapy. . Nettle root, pumpkin seed, willow herb, orthosiphon, oak or redwood bud can bring comfort to men suffering from prostate problems.