HISTORY OF BOTANICAL MEDICINE

Botanical medicine is a rich modality in naturopathic medicine that utilizes substances derived from plants to treat health ailments in patients.  This treatment modality is perhaps the oldest, going back centuries to ancient Greece and Persia.  Prior to the rise of pharmaceuticals in the 20th century, most medicines were derived from plants, and many “conventional” drugs are still derived from plants.  Conventional medical practitioners in many European countries use botanical medicine interchangeably with synthetic formulations.  These medical practices have been a source of great modern information not only as to efficacy but toxicity and drug interaction as well.  In America, the mainstream press and conventional medical practitioners refer to botanical medicines as herbs or herbal medicine. 

Botanical medical research was abandoned in America in the earlier part of the last century due to the rise of powerful synthetic medicines that were promoted as the cure for many diseases.  The old doctors who were knowledgeable in the medical power of herbal medicine literally died off.   The new generation of medical scientists continued to develop new compounds and in doing so, they gained a greater understanding of how the body works.  This process was also a departure from the study of botanical medicine, so that an increase in scientific investigation of botanicals came to a standstill.

During the rise of synthetic medicines, there were changes in the medical theory of disease, largely derived from the studies in the field of pharmacology and pathology.  Holism was replaced by a mechanistic explanation of disease and this shift caused a major departure from traditional medical theory and practice.  The concept of disease specificity came into being as a result.  Disease specificity means each disease has one cause or pathogen and that pathogen needs to be addressed to bring about cure. 

The practice and theory of herbal medicine has not changed significantly to fit this new view of medicine.  Therein lies the problem.  For modern mainstream physicians to embrace herbal medicine in its pure form, they would need to reconsider their fundamental understanding of disease and physiology of the body.  Many conventional doctors dismiss botanical medicines as either ineffective or dangerous.  Much of this is because botanical medicine is no longer taught in traditional medical school curricula, and the scientific basis of how botanicals work is contrary to modern medical theories on disease.

How the medical industry in this country works is affected by a combination of economic and political factors.  Medical care policy is based on a concept of efficacy as determined by the scientific method of medical research.  While efficacy is necessary, it may not be sufficient.  By this I mean that medicines become available as they become marketable and profitable to the manufacturers and approved by the government.  The profit of the care determines availability and sales imply the efficacy as well.  This does not also imply sufficiency.

Herbal medicines are efficacious, but they are not studied because they do not hold the economic advantage that patented synthetic medicines have.  However, to believe that herbal medicine does not work because it hasn’t been studied simply does not prove anything.  It merely points out the folly of the conclusion.  Unanswered questions prove nothing.

Consequently, the party line seems to be that herbs should not be trusted and are dangerous for consumers to use.  This is because they have not been studied.  The reasoning of this conclusion largely comes from the idea that if something truly worked, we would be using it.  Since conventional doctors do not use herbal medicines, the conclusion is they are not efficacious.  The further extension of this logic is because we do not understand them, because we don’t use them, they may be dangerous for use.  That is the fatal error in the logic of those who are so opposed to the use of botanical medicine as a healing modality.  The more appropriate response from the conventional practitioners is “since I have no knowledge of the subject, I cannot comment.”

Many physicians are under quite a lot of pressure to confirm to standards of care that are dictated by licensing boards.  The pharmaceutical manufacturers influence centers of medical education and the medical boards to support their vested economic interests.  Botanical medicine does not hold the moneymaking potential of synthetic drugs.  Therefore, we have the public policy on herbal medicine that exists in America today.  Botanicals are merely nutritional supplements, and there can be no claim to treat or cure any disease.

Fortunately, the American public is not entirely satisfied with this position.  Many Americans have had and continue to have positive responses to herbal therapy.  As consumers, Americans demand quality care and demand options.  I believe public opinion will ultimately influence public policy to reconsider the powerful role herbal medicine can have in the treatment of disease and restoration of health.  When the day arrives that medical researchers impartially investigate herbal medicines and they come to understand the wonderful clinical outcomes they offer in treatment, you will see herbal preparations changed from nutritional supplements into controlled regulated substances.  I am not sure if that is an improved situation or a worse one.

DO BOTANICAL MEDICINES/HERBAL MEDICINES WORK?

The answer is “yes!”  Most of the drugs that entered the market years ago were extractions from plants and were the basis of modern pharmaceuticals.  Many natural substances/herbal medicines are extracted plant derivatives that are marketed as generic drugs Some common examples are morphine, digitalis, reserpine, cocaine, cannabinoids, and caffeine.  The final compound and/or extraction method can be patented for the purposes of marketing a product and making a profit.  Fundamentally, many drugs on the market today owe their origin to some parent natural compound or their existence to the study of the pharmaceutical properties associated with classes of compounds that have become drug families. 

BUT AREN’T HERBS DANGEROUS?

Any substance can be dangerous.  Too much water can be dangerous.  Too much oxygen can be dangerous.  Natural substances, whether they are controlled or “over-the-counter,” can be used in a dangerous manner.  Knowledge of a substance’s proper use and application is essential.  It is inadvisable for any person to take any substance without being informed on the consequences.  Naturopathic medical doctors are the experts on botanical medicines.  We know their limitations and the appropriate application of botanicals in treatment in a way that conventional physicians lack because they are not educated in the use of natural substances.  We understand drug/herbal interactions.  We also understand the dangers of conventional therapy as well.  Perhaps the better question to ask here, aren’t drugs dangerous?   Tylenol is available without prescription yet tragic and fatal results of misuse or abuse of this common are possible.

SO WHAT IS WRONG WITH DRUGS ANYWAY?

I have much respect for modern pharmaceuticals.  I have written prescriptions for drugs when I thought that was the most effective treatment under the circumstances.  I have concern about toxicity and the long-term effect of using drug therapy.  Like so much of the rest of our technological age, our bodies have not evolved with biochemical mechanisms sufficient for the removal of large synthetic molecules.  Many health problems are a direct result of living in a toxic modern environment.  Drugs are a part of that toxic environment and a major source of morbidity.

Evidence of toxicity is seen when a patient develops what conventional physicians call side effects.  In naturopathic medicine, we refer to side effects as new disease.  Side effects are politically correct terms that classify the unsavory aspects of drug therapy as acceptable.  In other words, this low level of toxicity is acceptable.  One disease has been exchanged for another.  We believe that side effects are undesirable in the treatment of disease and they should be avoided if possible.

Another issue I have with drug therapy is that it becomes a lifelong condition and it is suppressive in nature.  Many drugs never really cure anything.  If they did, why do patients need to take them for a lifetime?  Naturopathic treatment promotes homeostatic balance in the patient.  We accomplish this through a variety of modalities all of which contribute to the restoration of health and increased vitality.  Suppressing a disease is not our concept of restoring health.  Suppression generally fails to address the underlying cause of the problem and in most cases it fails to work in the long run.  For these and many other reasons, drugs are always a last resort in my therapeutic regimen.  More information about drugs and prescriptions is available in my section on IV and Rx.

GREEN PHARMACY VS. TRUE BOTANICAL MEDICINE

A distinction needs to be drawn in the use of herbal medicines versus drug therapy.  Naturopathic medical doctors use herbal medicine in combination with many healing modalities to restore health.  We do not use herbal medicines as a substitute for drugs because the philosophical basis of modern drug therapeutics is quite different from our fundamental outlook on healing.  Disease in humans from a botanical medicine point of view is disturbance in the health of the whole person.  Many herbal substances are prescribed based upon their impact on a constellation of signs and symptoms in a way that traditional drugs do not.  Botanical medicine is essentially holistic in its prescription and effect on the body.

Philosophically, we treat the whole person; we treat the cause of the illness, and first we do no harm.  In doing so, we formulate a treatment plan which promotes healing and improved health.  Modern drug therapy generally substitutes one set of symptoms for another set.  We feel that drugs many times do not treat the cause nor do they treat the whole person, and in fact they may be harmful.

HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

A licensed naturopathic medical doctor, such as myself, can advise you on what therapies would serve you best.  Some individuals have severe health issues that require drugs.  Some individuals are over-medicated.  Regardless, if you want to investigate a natural alternative to your current treatment, you need to advice of an expert in the field.  Obviously that expert is someone who has studied the subject matter.   I have studied conventional and alternative medical practices, and I am in a good position to provide you with options in your medical care.  Chances are, I can improve your health, save you money, and extend your life.