Herbal medicine has been practiced around the world for centuries. This form of medicine pre-dates any pharmaceutical institutions, and has proven far safer and superior to most modern forms of medicine.
With herbal treatments there’s rarely any need for further herbs to counteract the side-effects generated by an herb used in treating the patient. This isn’t the case with most drugs on the market. All too often I see patients taking multiple drugs. One that was indicated to begin with, and then others to deal with the side effects of the initial drug.
Since the basic herbs can’t be patented, isolated chemicals derived from these herbs began being used to get rapid physiologic changes and generate mass revenue for the drug companies. An example of this would be the early use of digitalis from the foxglove plant. Since foxglove can be extremely toxic when used improperly, Prefer to use some of the safer herbs for heart rhythm problems. With herbs, the whole always works better than the individual parts.
Unfortunately, without all the co-factors required for an herb to be safe in it’s use, the early spin-offs of these herbs began to exhibit varying degrees of toxicity. After this, synthetic models of the herbs began to be manufactured, giving an opportunity to patent these products, resulting in increased cost and profits.
Some of the pharmaceutical giants of today began their existence by marketing herbal extracts. I posses an herb bottle from 1916 with a label of Cimicifuga, U.S.P. (Black Cohosh) produced by Eli Lilly and Company. This herbal extract was, (and still can be) used to balance estrogen levels, without all the harmful effects of taking estrogen by itself.
Unfortunately, the demand amongst doctors for these powerful synthetic drugs removed the call for herbs. There wasn’t enough interest or money in herbal medicines. As these large companies began to promote their new lines, the understanding and use of true botanical cures has become scarce. Detailers from these pharmaceutical giants go to doctors offices with samples and explanations of how to use these new drugs. With this, the wisdom and knowledge of herbal treatments has become a dying art.
Today, the use of these medicines is mostly seen among naturopathic physicians and some chiropractors who have recognized the importance of nourishing the body along with correcting postural issues. These physicians have held on to the true use of these powerful, safe, and predictable plant based cures.
When using herbal therapy it's customary to begin with a focusing herb which is specific for the condition you are addressing. Secondly we use support herbs which can be for actions like facilitating circulation or lymphatic drainage.
When working with the gut, we look at what affects the action of digestion, so would use something like gentian to stimulate digestion and the release of bile. Chamomile acts to calm the nervous system and aids in allowing for release of hydrochloric acid. Taraxacum, or Dandelion root acts as an aperient for improving appetite and secretion of digestive juices all the way from the salivary glands to the gallbladder. Like Gentian, it’s a bitter. Bitters have been used down through the centuries to aid in supporting digestion and elimination.
When working with herbs to help with the heart, often times digestive herbs are used in combination since the vagus nerve affects both the heart and digestive organs. Many heart symptoms are connected to the digestive organs, which means the best approach to making a heart botanical may include support of the entire gut. Remember, the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.
Over my 37 years as a physician, I’ve adhered to the use of herbs and seen the wonders they can perform. Upon contemplating drug or herb, closely weigh the cost to your body.
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