Directions: Read the
following passage. Summarize the main idea and the main point(s) of the passage
in no more than 60 words. Use your own words as far as possible.
Herbal Medicine
Herbal
medicine, which has been used for medicinal purposes, is the use of plants to
treat diseases. Many herbalists use the entire plant, from the flowers, stems,
leaves, and roots, in the form of everything from teas to pills. These plants
contain natural, chemical things that can treat the body for a variety of
diseases, such as allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, chronic
fatigue, and cancer, among others.
Nowadays
an increasing number of people prefer to adopt these plants to treat their
diseases because, compared with chemical medicine, herbal medicine has its own
advantages. Herbal medicine and remedies are more effective than chemical
medicine for certain diseases. The chemical medicine given by a chemist could
have certain negative side effects. However, many of the herbal medicine and
remedies to not have negative side effects. If any, they are softer than
chemical medicine. Obesity is the cause of many of the health problems. Herbal
medicine can help weight loss more effectively and improve overall health.
However,
the cure using herbal medicine and supplements would take some time, and
therefore people are supposed to possess enough patience. Worse still, herbal
medicine contains a variety of ingredients and people have to be sure that
their body agrees with the ingredients and that it is not allergic(过敏).
A
point worth mentioning here is that herbal remedies and medicine for certain
illnesses may have negative side effects. These side effects may not be shown
at once, but would take months or even years. In the early stages, if the
herbal medicine is not agreeing with you, it is wise to stop using it.
When
used correctly and directed by doctors, herbs can help treat a variety of
disease. But keep in mind that the herbal medicine industry is not regulated,
so herbal products are often misleading and may contain additives that are not
listed on the label. Some herbs may cause allergic reactions or interact with
other drugs, and some are poisonous if used improperly or at high doses. Taking
herbs on your own increases your risk.
答案: Herbal medicine, abstracted from entire plants in various forms, is a way to treat some disease. It has more advantages over chemical medicine owing to its better effectiveness and milder side effects. However, herbal medicine also has disadvantages like time-consuming recovery, possible recovery, possible allergy. Therefore, it is advisable for us to use herbs cautiously in case of potentially risky consequences.