This is an important field of study. Every race, every culture, every era, from time immemorial, had some form of herbal knowledge. The fact that herbs have been used for thousands of years shows how useful they are, though some cynics may say that there was nothing else.

What knowledge we have is based on herbal lore that has been passed down from generation to generation, but unfortunately a large body of knowledge has been lost because it was not recorded or because the records have been destroyed in wars and natural disasters. Knowledge was also lost due to ignorance and prejudice. A great body of knowledge was also lost with the persecution and execution of “witches” in the middle ages; these were, in fact, wise women, very knowledgeable with herbal lore.

One shining light are the Chinese: they have records of herbal teachings going back thousands of years and these are still being studied and used today. The Chinese system is very complex and is based on a network of meridian-organ interaction and not just single herb use. Some new research has confirmed the efficacy and safety of the Chinese method.

Western Herbalism is not so complex. Western herbs are used more simply, being prescribed on the basis of illnesses and symptoms. For instance, this herb for headaches, that herb for stomach ache, etc., though herbalist do mix various herbs to treat the different facets of the disease.

Nature has placed in our midst cures for many ills and diseases in the form of plants and herbs. Unlike acupuncture and homeopathy, which act on an energetic level, herbs act on the physical level: they are natural medicines, which act by modifying some bodily function, as drugs do.

Herbs contain complex mixtures of many substances, which act in unison, having checks and balances to have a holistic effect. Modern drug companies look at herbs and try to find the “active ingredient” and extract it for their commercial gain. Results are not as good because the herb acts as a whole: the use of the single “active ingredient” produces side effects and toxicity because those inerrant “checks and balances” are missing . Herbs are definitely safer than manufactured drugs — the safety window is so much broader while drugs have a very narrow safety margin.

Despite this, care must be taken. How many times have I heard people say “it is only a herb” and think they can use it in unlimited amounts. Herbs must be taken following appropriate advice and dosage. Herbs can cause toxicity if not used appropriately.

To give an example: Foxglove (digitalis) in herbal doses is used to slow down a fast heart rate. In orthodox medicine it is used in atrial fibrillation and heart failure. In homeopathic doses, digitalis us used to speed up a slow heart; i.e. in homeopathic doses it has the opposite action.

I spoke of earlier about the problems with just using the “active ingredient”. The herbal tincture of Foxglove is a mixture of many substances; there are the checks and balances. When the “active ingredient” of digitalis was extracted, it was found that people could become toxic relatively quickly if not monitored closely and dosed appropriately, unlike with the herbal tincture. Vomiting is a feature of toxicity and comes late, when the person is already toxic. With the herbal tincture, vomiting is a much earlier sign, perhaps because of those “checks and balances” and toxicity will be prevented earlier because of the vomiting.

Herbs are like drugs, they have an effect on the body, an effect that we want to help cure or alleviate disease. In fact, modern pharmacy has its roots (please excuse the pun) in herbal medicine. The herbal Materia Medica list herbs and their actions on the body. It is easy to look up a symptom or disease and find out which herb is useful.

[Extract from There is Always an Alternative, by Peter Baratosy, MB BS PhD DipAcup DipClinHyp FACNEM]