Herbal medicine represents only one component of Alternative
Medicine. It is part of a rather large field of Nutraceuticals, whch are not only
alternatives to Pharmaceuticals, but substances used to strengthen and protect the body
against disease. The number of herbs presented is limited to those which are
commonly used, or specifically used for the health issues discussed.
Herbal
medicine is that branch of the healing sciences that deals with the therapeutic properties
of herbs. The term "herb" includes all plant species, from the smallest fungi to
the tallest tree. These plants contain a variety of active constituents which support the
body in its efforts to prevent illness and restore health.
Herbal medicine is, at the
present time, undergoing a revival in America, but the science of herbal medicine dates
back thousands of years. Archeological evidence exists from the time humans dwelled in
caves showing that the poppy was used as a medicinal herb. Some of the earliest records
appear to be 5000 years old in a Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Sanskrit writings of medical
remedies date back to 1500 BC. Even Hippocrates – ("Let food be thy medicine.
Let medicine be thy food.") – made great use of the plant kingdom for healing,
including Mint, Poppy, Mugwort, Sage, Rosemary, Rue, and Lemon Verbena.
By the 8th century herbs were
synonymous with medicine. It was during the middle of the 19th century that herbalism came
under the scrutiny of modern science. Some of the medicinal components were isolated and
their structure duplicated synthetically in a laboratory. The positive side of this was
that many plants were probably saved from extinction. The negative side was that the
healing principle was removed from the plant cell, and the natural balance and harmony
provided by the plant was destroyed.
Traditional herbalists believe
that the secret of health and healing lies in the whole plant. They believe that herbs are
nature’s medicines prepared for us in perfect combinations and proportions. Once this
holistic harmony is broken or interrupted by isolating one active ingredient from the
plant for use on its own it often becomes dangerous, even poisonous, with unpleasant side
effects. (This is not unlike the attitude of traditional dietitians who believe that our
nutrients should come from whole foods rather than vitamin pills. Food for thought?)
At the beginning of the 20th
century, physicians in this country were trained in botany. They employed a wide variety
of plants, often preparing their medicines from them. From the 1920s - 1970s in America,
herbal medicine ceased to exist, except among small ethnic groups such as Native
Americans.
We are only now coming out of the Herbal
Dark Ages in America. But, herbal medicine has changed. At one time it was a familiar
topic to only a select group of people. Now, herbal medicine is everywhere. It's in
magazines, on tv, radio. It is big business. It is the subject of debate, conflict,
controversy, and power struggles.
Most licensed health
professionals in practice in America today – physicians, pharmacists, nurses,
nutritionists – have received little formal training in herbal medicine. And much of
the information both professionals and consumers are exposed to is either incomplete or
badly biased.
It is not our intention that you substitute an herbal
product for a pharmaceutical product, and think that you are practicing alternative
medicine. There is still the need to look beyond the symptoms and ask
the "Why" questions.
The Health Professional needs to ask: Who is this individual? Why is he or
she sick? What is there about this person's lifestyle that needs to change so they
can be well again? How can I help them heal?
The healthcare consumer needs to ask: Why am I sick? What do I need to
change so that I can be well again?
Having said that, there are times when medicine is warranted, and in those cases the
best choice is the most natural choice, and the one with the fewest side effects. In
all cases it should be used for the shortest amount of time possible.
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