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An Overview of Herbal Medicine

By Karen Raub, N.D., L.Ac.

Karen Raub, N.D., L.Ac. has practiced classic Chinese pharmacology and the Western herbal tradition for many years. A licensed acupuncturist and trained in naturopathy, she practices in Pasadena, CA, at Phoenix Pharmacy. She is also active in delivering public health acupuncture care for persons living with HIV and in substance abuse recovery.

History of an earache

"Doctor, I have an ear ache."

2000 B.C. -- "Here, eat this root."

1000 B.C. -- "That root is heathen, say this prayer."

1850 A.D. -- "That prayer is superstition, drink this potion."

1940 A.D. -- "That potion is snake oil, swallow this pill."

1985 A.D. -- "That pill is ineffective, take this antibiotic."

2000 A.D. -- "That antibiotic is artificial. Here, eat this root."

Plants are Nature's remedies and have been used on the earth for food and medicine since ancient times. There is an herb for every human affliction. Herbal traditions have been passed down and refined with scientific understanding, providing information to assist in health maintenance. Herbs act on the blood, metabolism, and all cellular processes including the nervous system. Thus, they are capable of bringing the body into harmony and health.

Herbs are considered food for the body. They are valuable sources of natural medicine, vitamins and minerals that have a remarkable history of curative effects, when used in the proper way. Every region of the earth has herbs that provide remedy for diseases that may afflict humanity. The herbs that are useful for certain ailments usually contain vitamins and minerals and specific biochemical constituents that are also helpful in those ailments. Herbs, when used under the supervision of an experienced and knowledgeable practitioner are generally safe and do not produce side effects.

All drugs that are extracted from plants are not used in their natural state, with the natural components and concentrations found in nature. This is why we have so many side effects from prescribed medicines. Chemical drugs alone are not the answer. Every drug has some possible side effect, and these side effects can increase if a person has more than one ailment or takes more than one medication.

Everyone can benefit from using herbs, but the best results will be realized when the body is clean and free from accumulated mucus and toxins. The first step is to stay away from refined sugar and flour products, dairy products, and excess animal protein, salt and alcohol. Toxins and mucus are expelled through the skin, which needs to be kept clean and scrubbed, and through the nose, mouth, stomach and colon.

There are many herbs which have for centuries, even thousands of years, been used to treat cancer specifically (to reduce/eliminate tumors) and to help remedy the side effects of current cancer treatment so that they are more tolerable (i.e., helping to build red and white blood cells, reducing fatigue, eliminating nausea, increasing energy and stimulating the body's immune system to heal itself).

To this day, incredible resources focusing on plants go into cancer research. Cancer is encountered in all higher animals, and plants also develop growths that resemble cancer. Over the past 25 years the U.S. National Cancer Institute has made an attempt at testing and studying the anti-tumor activity of some 114,000 plants representing 40,000 species. To date about 4-5% of these extracts have shown reproducible activity by isolating specific substances such as alkaloids, terpenoids and phenols. Many plants, however, have been rejected, failing to produce desirable results. However, it is well known by herbalists that isolated constituents of a drug/plant may not give the same clinical response as a preparation of the whole part used, or when used together with other immunomodulating herbs.

In the United States due to reduced funding and the inability of researchers to locate a "magic cancer herb", studies into phytotherapies ended in 1983. It seems to us that we have a situation in which Western medicine and herbalism is seriously lagging behind the 5,000 year use of Chinese herbal medicine in the treatment of cancer. Asian clinical study and research, using whole parts of plants, has produced a tremendous number of phytotherapies that affect phagocytosis, interferon levels, humoral control, as well as other immunomodulating benefits. Moreover, current Chinese research specifically coordinates the use of herbal therapies with the most modern biomedical approaches to cancer treatment, with promising results.

Just as there is no known herb that can cure cancer, Western allopathic medicine and pharmacology have yet to produce a single "magic chemical drug". Therefore, even though Western researchers have developed some drugs that are effective against some cancers, we believe that the continued high mortality of cancer requires us to use all tools in our arsenal.

To only use herbs, however, is not enough. A deep, conscious process of healing and re-evaluation is essential. From the perspective of holistic medicine, many complex factors and considerations must be addressed in addition to medical approaches for optimum wellness and longevity. This process might involve:

nutritional re-evaluation

bodywork (yoga, qi gong, massage, tai ch'i)

acupuncture, stress management, biofeedback

transpersonal psychology or counseling addressing mental, emotional, relational and spiritual concerns.

Some final notes, cautions and contraindications regarding the use of herbs:

Herbs have both nutritive and medicinal properties and though generally very safe, must be respected as medicines with regard to directions and dosage.

Immediately stop taking any herb if unusual symptoms develop.

Consult your health care provider concerning the use of herbs in pregnancy or with infants.

Some herbs used in large doses may cause mild gastrointestinal side effects such as nausea, bloating or loose stool.

Many herbs work faster on an empty stomach; however, if they produce nausea, they should be taken with a light meal

A licensed professional health care provider should evaluate chronic, severe, or worsening symptoms (particularly in infections and cardiovascular and gastrointestinal disease.

See Herbal Resources for Internet sites that can give you loads of information on this topic.

© Copyright 1998, Karen Raub, N.D., L.Ac.