Herbal medicine does not necessarily stand in opposition to conventional Western medicine. According to a 2011 article in the "Archives of Internal Medicine," conventional medical providers are increasingly recommending complementary and alternative therapies to their patients. If you are considering the use of an herbal medicine, talk to your physician about how it could fit into your treatment plan.
Herbal Complexity
In her book "Linda Page's Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone," naturopath Linda Page claims that an advantage of herbs is that they contain multiple biochemicals that work in concert. Many of the healing constituents in herbs that have been observed to be effective throughout the centuries are yet unknown. In contrast, modern pharmaceuticals typically are based on one isolated active ingredient. Ironically, these isolated active ingredients are often derived from plants. However, even when a pharmaceutical drug is made from a medicinal herb, it may lack the herb's full range of benefits. The chemical substances in a given herb may serve to boost the bioavailability and solubility of other substances within it, says Page.
Maintaining Health With Herbal Medicine
Conventional Western pharmaceuticals are primarily aimed at alleviating disease. In contrast, many traditional herbal medicines are used by people who are healthy and want to stay that way. Foremost among them are the herbs known as adaptogens. According to herbalist David Winston, adaptogens support the healthy functioning of the body and increase its resistance to environmental, emotional and physical stressors. Winston states that many people throughout the world use adaptogens daily to boost their overall health. Rhodiola, ashwagandha, reishi and Asian ginseng are among the herbs classified as adaptogens.
Rapid Effects From Pharmaceuticals
In health conditions where rapid relief of specific symptoms is necessary, pharmaceutical drugs may be preferable to herbal medicines. The active ingredients in pharmaceuticals generally target specific symptoms. They often work more rapidly to relieve those symptoms than do herbal medicines, whose actions tend to be more subtle, according to a 2004 article in the journal "Seminars in Integrative Medicine."
Regulation of Herbal Medicine
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has far more stringent rules for pharmaceutical manufacturers than for manufacturers of herbal medicines. Herbal medicine manufacturers do not need to file evidence of their products' efficacy or safety, unlike pharmaceutical manufacturers, who must prove both before their medicines are sold to the public. Thoroughly research the herbal medicines that interest you before buying them, and rely on the guidance of a qualified health care provider before using them for your health conditions.
References
- "Linda Page's Healthy Healing: A Guide to Self-Healing for Everyone"; Linda Page; 2004
- Food and Drug Administration: Dietary Supplements
- "Seminars in Integrative Medicine"; Herbs for the Nervous System: Ginkgo, Kava, Valerian, Passionflower; Hyla Cass; June 2004
- "Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina and Stress Relief"; David Winston and Steven Maimes; 2007
- "Archives of Internal Medicine"; When Conventional Medical Providers Recommend Unconventional Medicine: Results of a National Study; A. Nerurkar, et al.; May 2011
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