I got to attend a panel discussion today at Tower Hill Botanical Gardens on herbal medicine and its applications going forward into this the twenty first century. I helped set it up with the Herbal Community of Central Massachusetts. It was a fantastic discussion.
Rachel Ross Nurse Midwife and herbalist moderated as four speakers took a crack at herbal medicine in the 21st century front of a packed auditorium. The collective wisdom of an MD, botanist plant biologist and herbalist examined the use of herbs to heal from different angles.
The discussion scope went from personal to global. Plant medicines, the relationship between people and plants, the role of plants in pharmacology, the history of plants in personal medicinal use were all examined.
Why does this matter?
I can tell you why it matters to me. Herbal medicine offers help and hope to many people who have fallen into the cracks of our health care system. I use herbs regularly to help balance, my immune system and manage Lyme disease. It has been very helpful to me. Herbs in general have fewer and less severe allergies and side effects than pharmaceuticals. Herbs can be a cost effective way to support relief and healing.
Herbal Medicine Panelist Highlights
History speaks the household medicine chest full of herbs. Dr. Judith Sumner examined the historical use of herbs in the home with humor and insight. A potential boundary of household use of herbal medicine is plant toxicity. Dr. Judith Sumner believes is that plants with toxic effects would best be dispensed by professionals.
Acute Care Herbs
Specific herbs can help in acute care. Sweet wormwood contains Artemisinen. Dr. Pamela Weathers describes this herb as a cost effective treatment for malaria. Malaria develops less resistance to whole plant medicine than single compounds and targeted pharmaceuticals. Controlled Studies show whole plant treatment to have improved bioavailability and efficacy as well.
Dr. Arthur Gertler explained the growing relationship between western medicine and herbal medicine. A key growing area is auxiliary techniques in the treatment of chronic illnesses when Patient care and symptom remission when conventional drugs have failed. A small but growing group of physicians are expanding the scope of care to include herbs and other forms of treatment.
Herbs for Self Care
Guido Masé a clinical herbalist believes herbs in the 3rd world to enable the people to grow medicines locally to help and heal their own people. The power of herbs can help preempt and improve outcomes for the most prevalent chronic illnesses in Western society.
In helping prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, herbs can play an enormous role in elevating health and freeing resources. Guido also drew the important connection between people and plants as part of the same ecosystem. Our interaction with many different plants has been pivotal in our evolution and is critical for our continued health. Our connection with plants can start at the grocery store and expand from there.
Herbal Medicine Summary
Herbalists want to work alongside doctors for the benefits of patients. In many cases herbal medicine can be used in prevention. They all feel that free access to plants and herbs is important. Western medicine employed as primary treatment at the onset of disease with herbs potentially supporting that treatment. Consistent quality and potency of herbal products with good manufacturing practices and quality systems used for herbal medicine is critical for herbs to be used in the mainstream.
Ayurveda uses herbs to help keep balance and prevent disease. I often use herbs in food and take them directly. Do You?
Sounds like it was fascinating. Wish I could have been there.