Various Types of Herbal Medicine: Used for Thousands of Years to Successfully Treat Diseases

Interest in medicinal herbs is on the rise again and the interest is primarily from the pharmaceutical industry, which is always looking for 'new drugs' and more effective substances to treat diseases, for which there may be no or very few drugs available.

Considering the very long traditional use of herbal medicines and the large body of evidence of their effectiveness, why is it that we are not generally encouraged to use traditional herbal medicine, instead of synthetic, incomplete copies of herbs, called drugs, considering the millions of dollars being spent looking for these seemingly elusive substances?

Herbs are considered treasures when it comes to ancient cultures and herbalists, and many so-called weeds are worth their weight in gold. Dandelion, Comfrey, Digitalis (Foxglove), the Poppy, Milk Thistle, Stinging nettle, and many others, have well-researched and established medicinal qualities that have few if any rivals in the pharmaceutical industry. Many of them in fact, form the bases of pharmaceutical drugs.

Research into the medicinal properties of such herbs as the humble Dandelion is currently being undertaken by scientists at the Royal Botanical Gardens, in Kew, west London, believe it could be the source of a life-saving drug for cancer patients.

Early tests suggest that it could hold the key to warding off cancer, which kills tens of thousands of people every year.

Their work on the cancer-beating properties of the dandelion, which also has a history of being used to treat warts, is part of a much larger project to examine the natural medicinal properties of scores of British plants and flowers.

Professor Monique Simmonds, head of the Sustainable Uses of Plants Group at Kew, said: "We aren't randomly screening plants for their potential medicinal properties, we are looking at plants which we know have a long history of being used to treat certain medical problems."

"We will be examining them to find out what active compounds they contain which can treat the illness."

Unfortunately, as is so often the case, this group of scientists appears to be looking for active ingredients, which can later be synthesized and then made into pharmaceutical drugs. This is not the way herbs are used traditionally and their functions inevitably change when the active ingredients are used in isolation. That's like saying that the only important part of a car is the engine - nothing else needs to be included...

So, why is there this need for isolating the 'active ingredients'?

As a scientist, I can understand the need for the scientific process of establishing the fact that a particular herb works on a particular disease, pathogen or what ever, and the need to know why and how it does so. But, and this is a BIG but, as a doctor of Chinese medicine I also understand the process of choosing and prescribing COMBINATIONS of herbs, which have a synergistic effect to treat not just the disease, but any underlying condition as well as the person with the disease - That is a big difference and not one that is easily tested using standard scientific methodologies.

Using anecdotal evidence, which after all has a history of thousands of years, seems to escape my esteemed colleagues all together. Rather than trying to isolate the active ingredient(s), why not test these herbs, utilizing the knowledge of professional herbalists, on patients in vivo, using the myriad of technology available to researchers and medical diagnosticians to see how and why these herbs work in living, breathing patients, rather than in a test tube or on laboratory rats and mice (which, by the way, are not humans and have a different, although some what similar, physiology to us...).

I suspect, that among the reasons for not following the above procedure is that the pharmaceutical companies are not really interested in the effects of the medicinal plants as a whole, but rather in whether they can isolate a therapeutic substance which can then be manufactured cheaply and marketed as a new drug - and of course that's where the money is...

The problem with this approach is however, that medicinal plants like Comfrey, Dandelion and other herbs usually contain hundreds if not thousands of chemical compounds that interact, yet many of which are not yet understood and cannot be manufactured. This is why the manufactured drugs, based on so-called active ingredients, often do not work or produce side effects.

Aspirin is a classic case in point. Salicylic acid is the active ingredient in Aspirin tablets, and was first isolated from the bark of the White Willow tree. It is a relatively simple compound to make synthetically, however, Aspirin is known for its ability to cause stomach irritation and in some cases ulceration of the stomach wall.

The herbal extract from the bark of the White Willow tree generally does not cause stomach irritation due to other, so called 'non-active ingredients' contained in the bark, which function to protect the lining of the stomach thereby preventing ulceration of the stomach wall.

Ask yourself, which would I choose - Side effects, or no site effects? - It's a very simple answer. Isn't it?

So why then are herbal medicines not used more commonly and why do we have pharmaceutical impostors stuffed down our throats? The answer is, that there's little or no money in herbs for the pharmaceutical companies. They, the herbs, have already been invented, they grow easily, they multiply readily and for the most part, they're freely available.

Further more, correctly prescribed and formulated herbal compounds generally resolve the health problem of the patient over a period of time, leaving no requirement to keep taking the preparation - that means no repeat sales... no ongoing prescriptions... no ongoing problem.

Pharmaceuticals on the other hand primarily aim to relieve symptoms - that means: ongoing consultations, ongoing sales, ongoing health problems - which do you think is a more profitable proposition...?

Don't get me wrong, this is not to say that all drugs are impostors or that none of the pharmaceutical drugs cure diseases or maladies - they do and some are life-preserving preparations and are without doubt invaluable. However, herbal extracts can be similarly effective, but are not promoted and are highly under-utilized.

The daily news is full of 'discoveries' of herbs found to be a possible cure of this or that, as in the example of Dandelion and its possible anti-cancer properties. The point is, that these herbs need to be investigated in the correct way. They are not just 'an active ingredient'. They mostly have hundreds of ingredients and taking one or two in isolation is not what makes medicinal plants work. In addition, rarely are herbal extracts prescribed by herbalists as singles (a preparation which utilizes only one herb). Usually herbalists mix a variety of medicinal plants to make a mixture, which addresses more than just the major symptoms.

In Chinese medicine for example there is a strict order of hierarchy in any herbal prescription, which requires considerable depth of knowledge and experience on the physicians part. The fact that the primary or principle herb has active ingredients, which has a specific physiological effect, does not mean the other herbs are not necessary in the preparation. This is a fact seemingly ignored by the pharmaceutical industry in its need to manufacture new drugs that can control disease.

Knowing that medicinal plants are so effective, that these plants potentially hold the key to many diseases, are inexpensive and have proven their worth time and time again over millennia, why is it that herbal medicine is still not in the forefront of medical treatments, and is considered by many orthodox medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies as hocus-pocus.... hmmm.

About The Author

Danny Siegenthaler is a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine and together with his wife Susan, a medical herbalist and Aromatherapist, they have created Natural Skin Care Products by Wildcrafted Herbal Products to share their 40 years of combined expertise with you.

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Acupuncture and Herbs Successfully Treat Endometriosis - Here's How, Plus Nutritional Tips!

Endometriosis, the formation of tissue outside of the endometrium (uterine wall), can create painful menstrual periods, premenstrual spotting, pain during intercourse, infertility, abdominal or diffuse pelvic pain, bloating, constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms may also include low back pain or pain radiating to the inner thigh, pain upon defecation, fatigue or sometimes nausea or vomiting. The severity of the pain may not truly disclose the severity of the disease, as some women may present without pain.

Western View

Western medications and treatments include:

• Birth control used continuously to suppress ovulation.

• Danazol, Provera, Lupron, Duphaston, Synarel or Zoladex, used to suppress ovulation and the regular course of hormones during the menstrual cycle.

• A laparoscopy conducted to drain fluids and remove small patches of tissue. The cysts or tissues are sometimes referred to as "chocolate cysts" due to their coloring.

• More extensive surgery to remove larger areas of displaced or scar tissue or to unblock fallopian tubes. Surgery is not the final answer because tissue can and oft en does, grow back, causing recurrent symptoms.

TCM Pathology

Difficult menstrual flow accompanied by pain and clotting of tissue or by pain that disrupts other channels (Liver, Spleen and Stomach) causes abdominal or back pain, bloating or indigestion, fatigue, or headaches. Kidney Yang deficiency is usually the primary cause, often accompanied by Spleen Qi deficiency or Liver Qi stagnation. This leads to Blood stagnation. In today's busy world, each of us carries an enormous amount of stress. Stress among professional and working women is frequently chronic and overwork disrupts the even flow of Qi and Blood. The obstruction of Blood flow restricts the normal cycle. Environmental toxins and poor nutrition also contribute, as do traumas and abdominal surgeries.

If menstrual spotting occurs, it is due to the Blood unsuccessfully trying to flow evenly within the channels. Symbolically, it is being pushed out of the channels because it has overfilled the Uterus without any available open exit valve. Regulation of Qi and Blood during the four phases of the menstrual cycle is required. Therefore, regulation of hormones is part of TCM treatment, as contrasted to the suppression of the normal function of hormones. What to expect from TCM treatment?

The goal is to correct the root problem during each of these phases by fine-tuning the TCM protocol.

TCM Pattern Differentiations-Your practitioner arrives at one or more of the following diagnostic patterns used to develop your treatment protocol. Qi Deficiency:

• Feeling exhausted and fragile.

• Dull, aching pain before, during or after menstruation.

• Overworked, overwhelmed.

• Cold hands and feet.

• Insomnia.

• Poor appetite.

• Tongue body may have scalloped, teeth-marked edges.

• Tongue may have no coating.

Qi stagnation:

• High-level or continuous stress.

• Tension or migraine headaches.

• High blood pressure, irritability, anger or repressed emotions.

• The sides of the tongue may be redder than the body of the tongue.

• Sharp, stabbing pain or pain prior to or during menstruation.

Blood stagnation:

• Pain prior to or during menstruation.

• Sharp, stabbing pain.

• Palpable lower abdominal masses.

• Clots.

• Purple- colored tongue body.

Coldness (Can be deficiency or excess):

Many texts use the term "Cold uterus." Cold is typically inhibiting, confining, cramping and stagnating. The Kidney channel starts on the feet and runs through the Uterus therefore, TCM theory believes that coldness in the feet runs up the Kidney channel through the uterus, inhibiting or confining Qi and blood flow. This affects fertility and the proper functioning of the reproductive system. Traditional advice: "Wear socks and keep your feet warm!"

• Generally, one who runs/feels cold and feels better with heat.

• Frequent urination.

• Cramping, severe pain prior to or during menstruation.

• Tongue coating may be white.

Heat:

• Heat in the channels can cause the Blood to "boil over," producing a heavy, painful menstrual flow.

• One who runs warm, sweats easily or has a facial flush.

• Yellow tongue coating.

Dampness/Phlegm:

Dampness, characterized as slow moving and congealing, causes sluggishness

or lethargy, producing mucus and leading to stagnation.

• Tongue coating may be white and appear slimy, greasy or thick.

• Abundance of phlegm or mucus.

• Thirst but no desire to drink fluids.

• Feeling "heavy" or having heavy sensations or lethargy.

Nutritional Tips for Better Health

Nutrition and Dietary Guidelines:

Aphrodite Women's Health (2004) reported the incidence of endometriosis is 40% less among females who consumed more fresh fruit and green vegetables. Females with a high intake of beef, ham or other red meat, increased their risk of endometriosis by 80-100%. There is a connection between diet and endometriosis!

1. Eat a high-fiber diet consisting of whole grains (wheat, oats, rye, spelt, quinoa) and legumes.

2. Vegetables high in antioxidants (Vitamins A, C, and E) and bioflavonoids - like carrots and yams, spinach, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, sweet potatoes, green and red peppers are beneficial.

3.Vitamin C and green foods (wheat grass, chlorella, spirulina) clean, nourish, move the blood, create circulation and remove stagnation.

4. Eat foods high in Vitamin B, selenium and zinc.

5. Eliminate caffeine, alcohol, salt and animal fats.

Pattern Differentiations:

If the menstrual pain is derived from Stagnant Blood, it can be ameliorated by:

1. Foods that move and clean the Blood, like wholesome organic fruits and vegetables.

2. Eating foods high in antioxidants and bioflavonoids (tomatoes, lemons, limes, apricots, grapes, beets, celery, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries).

3. Adding kelp, seaweed, spirulina and chlorella.

4. Adding onions, garlic, scallions to move and warm the Blood.

5. Eating whole grains like brown rice, quinoa and 100% whole wheat.

6. Consuming linoleic and alpha-linoleic fatty acids found in pumpkin seeds, flaxseed, primrose (gamma linolenic acid-omega 6) and olive oil.

7. Taking omega 3 fatty acids found in fish or linseed oil.

8. Avoiding refined and hydrogenated oils.

9. Avoiding animal products treated with steroids or antibiotics.

For Cold conditions, eat foods with properties that are neutral or warm in nature (beans, leeks, onions, carrots, garlic, ginger, wheat bran, millet, venison, beef, turkey, chicken, mangos, papaya, pineapple, figs, sweet potatoes, yams, red and green cabbage).

Liver Qi stagnation:

If you suffer from high stress, anger, tension or irritability try to:

1. Chew your food slowly, sit down and enjoy each meal without multi-tasking.

2. Eat smaller, more frequent meals.

3. Exercise.

4. Eat wholesome organic and nutritious foods rather than processed and refined foods containing chemicals and preservatives.

5. Yoga!

6. Let go of issues you have no control over and live the moment.

7. Avoid alcohol, cigarettes or caffeine.

8. Heat conditions react negatively to alcohol, caffeine and spicy or greasy foods.

9. Heat conditions respond favorably to foods with cool properties, which include ocean fish, shrimp, crab, milk, yogurt, strawberries, pears, persimmons, tomatoes, pearl barley, brown rice, wheat, tofu, mung, black or kidney beans, mint, green, or chamomile tea, cilantro, American ginseng, sprouts, kale, broccoli, alfalfa, cauliflower, watercress, winter squash, eggplant, asparagus, beets, bok choy or endive.

10. Damp conditions worsen with sugars, juices and over-consumption of fruits.

11. Eliminate dairy products, alcohol, spicy, or greasy foods. Eat more alkaline grains such as barley or brown rice, spinach, watercress, brussel sprouts, turnips, avocado, zucchini or green beans. TCM addresses endometriosis and should be considered in addition to western therapy.

Kathie is a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, author, and nutritionist in practice for over 15 years.