Andrew weil, M.

D
Herbal Medicine

What is herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine, also known as herbalism or botanical medicine, is a medical system based on
the use of plants or plant extracts that may be eaten or applied to the skin. Since ancient times,
herbal medicine has been used by many different cultures throughout the world to treat illness
and to assist bodily functions. While herbal medicine is not a licensed profession in the United
States, herbal remedies in the form of extracts, tinctures, capsules and tablets as well as teas may
be recommended by healthcare practitioners of many different disciplines as a practical way to
address a wide variety of medical conditions.
Herbal medicine blurs the line between foods and medicines - a line that, in many cultures, was
never drawn in the first place. Using herbs and spices that have disease-preventive effect in foods
is one of the best ways to take advantage of their healing power. For example, it appears that the
daily use of the spice turmeric in curry dishes is one reason elderly people in India have one of
the lowest rates of Alzheimer's disease in the world.
What conditions is herbal medicine used for?
Herbal medicine has been used to treat or alleviate virtually every possible medical condition.
Some of the most popular herbal remedies and the conditions for which they are used include:
aloe used topically for minor burns, sunburns, skin irritation or inflammation
arnica used topically for bruises, sprains, sore muscles and joints
chamomile tea ingested for upset stomach, heartburn, indigestion and colic
comfrey, in a topical poultice only, for bedsores, diabetic ulcers, certain spider bites and
staph infections contracted on tropical beaches
dong quai for women and ginseng for men and women, ingested to improve general
health and stamina - in this application, these are known as tonics. Other tonics include
eleuthero and rhodiola.
echinacea ingested for colds, flu, sore throat
garlic ingested to possibly reduce cholesterol and blood pressure, treat fungal infections
and colds
ginger ingested for nausea and motion sickness and as an anti-inflammatory
mullein ingested for chest congestion and dry, bronchial coughs
passionflower ingested for non-sedating relaxation
peppermint tea ingested for indigestion, nausea and other digestive problems
peppermint oil (in enteric-coated capsules) ingested for irritable bowel syndrome and
other chronic intestinal ailments
tea tree oil applied topically for fungal infections such as athlete's foot and fungal
infections of the toenails and fingernails
turmeric ingested to combat inflammation and protect against cancer and Alzheimer's
disease
valerian ingested for sleeping problems.
This is only a brief overview of some of the many safe and effective herbal remedies.
What should one expect on a visit to a practitioner of herbal medicine?
What to expect depends on the type of practitioner you're consulting. A medical doctor,
osteopathic doctor, or naturopath may recommend an herbal remedy in the course of an office
visit if you have made a specific complaint. A practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine or
ayurvedic medicine may recommend an herbal remedy in the course of a consultation for a
specific health problem or to address whole health from a holistic perspective.
According to the American Herbalist Guild, herbalists can practice either as primary health care
providers or adjunctive health care consultants. The Guild explains that most visits to an
herbalist begin with a consultation about your past and current health history, your dietary and
lifestyle practices, or other factors related to your health issue. Then, according to the Guild "the
herbalist, with your involvement, should develop an integrated herbal program that addresses
your specific health needs and concerns."
Are there any side effects or conditions where herbal medicine should be avoided?
Yes. When taking medication, you should investigate possible interactions with an herbal
remedy you may be considering. Be careful about mixing herbs and drugs that have similar
actions. For example, it may not be a good idea to mix anticoagulant drugs with ginkgo, a natural
blood thinner; the herb valerian, a sedative, probably shouldn't be mixed with prescription
sleeping pills. Similarly, avoid mixing herbs and drugs that have opposite actions. Other agents
may alter the way a medication is handled by the body. For example, St. John's wort, a natural
remedy for depression, may reduce the effectiveness of some drugs by causing them to be
metabolized too quickly. When in doubt, check with your pharmacist about herb/drug
interactions. In addition, herbs that can thin blood, such as dong quai, feverfew, supplemental
garlic, and ginger could cause problems if taken before surgery as could herbs such as ginseng
and licorice root that affect heart rate and blood pressure. Sedative herbs like kava and valerian
may increase the effects of anesthesia. It is best to stop taking any of these herbs at least 10-14
days before surgery, and be sure to tell your physician that you've been taking them.
Pregnancy: It is best to avoid taking any herbs during pregnancy, especially the first
trimester, unless you're under the care of a knowledgeable practitioner. Exceptions: it's
considered safe to take up to 1,000 mg of ginger in capsule or candied forms for morning
sickness; short-term use of echinacea also seems safe for pregnant women who develop
colds or flu.
Nursing: Apart from herbs that can stimulate breast-milk production (fenugreek, blessed
thistle, and alfalfa), women who are breastfeeding should avoid most medicinal herbs for
the first four to six months of a baby's life.
Children: Herbal remedies that are safe for adults may not be safe for children. For
guidance, see Healthy Child, Whole Child, by Stuart Ditchek, M.D. and Russell
Greenfield, M.D (HarperResource, 2009).
Is there a governing body that oversees or credentials practitioners in herbal medicine?
No. The practice of herbal medicine is not a licensed profession in the United States. Because
herbs are sold in the U.S. as dietary supplements available to anyone, consumers should educate
themselves before buying. Good resources include the American Botanical Council, the Herb
Research Foundation and HerbMed.
How does one get in touch with a practitioner of herbal medicine?
Anyone can claim to be an herbalist, so be sure to look for someone with extensive training.
Practitioners of both Traditional Chinese Medicine and ayurvedic medicine rely on herbs for
treatment. You may be able to find a knowledgeable practitioner through the American Herbalist
Guild. Keep in mind that professional herbalists who advise clients on the use of medicinal herbs
are typically not licensed to diagnose or treat disease.
Herbal medicine is also a mainstay of naturopathic physicians (NDs or NMDs) who use natural
approaches to promote wellness and treat disease. Naturopaths typically cannot prescribe
pharmaceuticals, and not all practitioners have attended a four-year naturopathic medical school,
so prospective patients should ask about training. You can locate a practitioner via the website of
the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians. While some MDs and DOs (osteopathic
physicians) are learning about herbs and other natural remedies, it is unlikely that herbal
medicine was included in their formal training.
Are there other therapies that might work well in conjunction with herbal medicine?
Herbal medicine is considered most effective when used as part of a program of natural
treatment that includes dietary modification, proper exercise, stress reduction, and mobilization
of mental resources directed toward healing.
What is Dr. Weil's view of herbal medicine?
In Dr. Weil's view, the principle advantage of herbs is their complexity. Medicinal plants contain
a wide array of chemical compounds, which gives them versatile therapeutic powers. For
example, for Andean Indians, whole coca leaf is the number one medicinal plant. They use it to
treat gastrointestinal disturbances; specifically, for both diarrhea and constipation. Its ability to
treat two opposite disease states springs from the fact that coca contains 14 bioactive alkaloids,
some of which stimulate the gut, while others inhibit gut activity. When the whole mixture enters
the body, receptors in the gut's tissues bind to the alkaloids that are needed for the body to return
it to equilibrium.
Throughout his career, Dr. Weil has recommended herbal remedies far more often than he has
prescribed prescription drugs and has said that he hasn't seen a serious adverse reaction to any of
the herbal remedies he has recommended. However, because of the many unsubstantiated claims
made for herbal remedies, and because the market is not well regulated, he recommends that
consumers follow these guidelines:
Don't buy whole dried herbs from bins or jars in stores. These loose herbs are probably
worthless because dried plants deteriorate upon exposure to air, light and moisture and
the more finely chopped the plant parts are, the faster they lose their desirable qualities.
Avoid encapsulated powdered herbs because when plants are ground into powders,
they're exposed to oxidation which causes them to deteriorate.
Buy reputable brands that advertise the purity of their ingredients.
The best herbal medicines are those you grow yourself. Maintaining a personal herb
garden can ensure freshness and quality.
Look for herbal preparations that have been "wildcrafted" (harvested from wild stands) or
cultivated organically.
Buy Chinese herbal products only from reputable sources and avoid those that do not list
ingredients. (Some herbs from China have been contaminated with toxic metals.)
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