Why Herbal Medicine Works
Herbalism has a long history of efficacy and safety, and has earned its place in the pantheon of modern medicine. Here's why:
Many herbal remedies have hundreds, if not thousands, of years behind them. And while pharmaceuticals are often tested for short-term safety only, drugs that have been used as folk medicine over millennia have been proven safe and effective over the long term.
Moreover, herbs are generally used for more than one condition, as opposed to drugs, most of which are used for a single purpose.
Of course, there are exceptions to this rule, but generally speaking, herbs are much easier on your body than their pharmaceutical counterparts. Consider the drugs used for depression: Side effects for popular antidepressants like Prozac and Celexa include impaired thinking, sexual problems, insomnia, and headaches. In contrast, herbal remedies like lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), rhodiola (Rhodiola rosea), and Saint John's wort (Hypericum perforatum) fight depression with relatively few unwanted effects.
Traditional and herbal medicine is the main type of health care for most of the planet's population, and the use of complementary and alternative medicine is rising throughout the world. In some countries, up to 80 percent of people consider herbs to be their primary method of staying well.
The basic tenet of herbalism — and all schools of natural medicine — is that it's better to work for optimal health all the time than to wait until disease strikes. For example, herbalists have long recommended herbs like American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) to help stave off the common cold. And a new study shows that consuming dried extracts of the herb reduces both the incidence and the severity of colds.
Additionally, herbs contain many constituents that work together to alleviate specific symptoms — and to address an underlying problem and strengthen the overall functioning of a particular organ or system. And herbs are often used together to foster health.
For example, a multiherb combination containing licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), chamomile (Matricaria recutita), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is used to treat heartburn, nausea, and vomiting — and strengthen the digestive system.
Lastly, it's a rare herb that's used to treat just one body part or system. Most treat several things at once — and new research is backing up that whole-body approach. Consider green tea (Camellia sinensis): It's been associated with head-to-toe benefits ranging from reduced cognitive decline, lowered incidence of heart disease and many cancers, and improvements in overall mortality rates. It's used successfully to fight oral bacteria, allergies, bladder infections, and genital warts — and even appears effective against antibiotic-resistant “superbugs.” Try to find a drug or therapy in conventional medicine that can make those claims.
