Herbal treatment, herbal beauty care, herbal hair-dye, herbal massage, herbal oils, herbal tea etc are some of the oft-heard terns. It is clear and welcome sign pointing out to the acceptance, adherence and usage of herbs on one form or the other. You can see herbalists spread over the length and breadth of this vast universe. European countries have now started researching on some herbs which, in their view, could stand as substitutes for the modern medicine which has its own merits and demerits.

This book has been written keeping in view the limitations of modern systems of medicine, not to speak of health hazards, side-effects, reactions, drug interactions emanating from use of drugs, so that the common man is in a position to cure himself, his family members and others also, at bare minimum expense and, above all, without any (or minimal) side-effects. It is not a generally accepted view that herbal medicines have no side-effects nor are they harmful, though this is qualified evlogistaion of this system’s efficacy.

Use of herbs as a Vehicle for treating and even curing various diseases, which afflicted hymen race, is not a nov1 concept nor has it been discovered recently — its journey from Darwinian age to recent time is a long story of gradual progression and development. When modern sophisticated iridescence had not emerged even or made its presence felt, every household treated the house mates with home remedies— the bulk of which was formed by herbs. It is a simple principle of diet that vegetations that grow on a particular soil, in a particular area, are capable of meeting dietary and medicinal needs of the local inhabitants. That is why so much emphasis was laid, and still is being laid on ‘regional diet’. If you change over to regional diet, there is no reason, why should’ you fall ill.

The wisdom of cure, through medicinal herbs, has its history of turbulence, progress, regression and even resistance from certain sects who refrained from using certain herbs due to their bad, appearance, bad taste, foul smell, element of pungency, astringency, etc. It is a journey which has undergone many pitfalls. Efforts were made to scuttle and throttle progress of this unique system of curai1ity but, despite all such bottlenecks and impediments, herbs always found a prestigious place in our homes. Repugnance of garlic and onion is simply due to their bad smell — to quote simply one instance; but medicines prepared out of these ingredients, freely used. It is sheer Hypocrisy and nothing else. Beet is not used as its hue resembles color of blood, ginger is not used in some homes due to its pungent and disagreeable taste.

Now the pendulum has swayed the, other way round. The change-over to herbal treatment is quite natural as it is more patient friendly and, to a greater extent, cost-effective also, and reaction is also minimal, to say the least. Moreover, the knowledge of herbs descended to new generations in the form of herbal heritage. There are still some families which cure even the so-called incurable disorders or really incurable disorders by using simply some herbs or even a single herb. They have formulations of their own which, for inexplicable reasons, are not being divulged to the common man — perhaps fear psychosis of generalization or/and commercialization might have prompted such persons o withhold their inherited knowledge.

Herbal treatment, herbal beauty care, herbal hair-cue, herbal massage, herbal oils, herbal tea etc are some of the pithead terms which is a clear and welcome sign pointing out to acceptance, adherence and usage of herbs in one form or the other. You can see herbalists spread over length and breath of this vast universe. European countries have now started researching-on some herbs which, in their view, could stand as substitutes for the modem medicine which has its own merits and demerits.

This book has been written, keeping in view limitations of modern systems of medicine, not to speak of health hearses, side-effects, reactions, drug interactions emanating from use of drugs, so that the common man is in a position to cure himself, his family members and others also, at bare minimum expense and, above all, without any (or minimal) side-effects. It is a generally accepted view that Ayurvedic medicines have no side- effects nor are they harmful, though this is qualified eulogisation of this system’s efficacy. any drug/herb used indiscreetly, imprudently and beyond a particular limit is liable to react on trice user. I have tried to give detailed account of each herb, its con Thinning effect with other herbs, its side-effects and reactions, where possible, and have taken care to see that readers actually benefit from the details provided so that they could cure their kith and kin, well in time and also without straining pockets. No doubt, certain herbs are costly for an arrange buy but there are less costlier substitutes therefore also. Most of the herbs are not new to our household, as those are used frequently to dispel common disorders but some herbs may be new to them, as herbal field is too vast — each region, country abounding only in particular varieties.

Diseases have been mentioned in relation to each herb as each herb has multiple applications and uses. It is suggested that entire book is read in 1-2 sittings and specific points and portions of interest may be marked so that, in case of emergency,’ quick reference could be made to the relevant portion only, For convenience of the readers, Hindi names of Herbs have been explained, were possible and a list at the end of the book will spell out as to which herb is suitable for which disease(s). Shr. Narender Kumar, Managing Direction of Diamond Pocket Books, has been kind enough, as usual, to assist me by giving his matured advice and suggestions, despite his awful busy schedule.