Civilizations have relied upon herbal medicine and other natural resources to treat illnesses and lessen symptoms for thousands of years. Herbal Medicine or phytotherapy is the science of applying herb remedies to help with different ailments. The knowledge and the use of medicinal plants have been recorded from antiquity and prehistoric (80,000 BC) times. Hippocrates of Kos (460-370BC), Galen (AD130), Dioscorides, Paracelsus, and Culpepper, are recognized figures in the history of medicine. They were working along with natural therapeutics, food, and plants to treat physical illness and spirit. Early 19th century, the use and knowledge of plant medicine changed with the discovery of the isolation of the first chemical compounds from poppy (1806), ipecacuanha (1817), strychnos (1817), quinine (1820), pomegranate (1878). This was the starting point for the growth and development of the pharmaceutical drugs that we find nowadays at pharmacies.
In Traditional Herbal Medicine, the mixture of the active compounds and other components produces a synergy that is gentle yet powerful with no side effects and contraindications in the long term, compared to the action of a single active ingredient. The matrix of elements contained in the whole plant is of high complexity. The analytical experiments haven’t been able to understand the mechanics of how different ingredients actions work in the body.
In present days, contemporary science has acknowledged the active action of plant medicines, and Pharmacopoeias (which are books describing standards for preparation, identification, contraindications, and safety) proscribe plant medicine as real medicine value. For instance, ginger is known for its preventive action in motion sickness (antiemetic), studies have shown (Ryan, 2010) that the fresh root is more effective than the pharmaceutical compound called dimenhydrinate (Dramamine).
Why choose Herbal Treatment
Herbal treatments offer several advantages over conventional pharmaceutical drugs. Botanical formulas are highly bioavailable, meaning they are easily absorbed by the human body without compromising their therapeutic potency. They are also gut-friendly, reducing the risk of gastrointestinal distress often associated with synthetic medications.
Herbal remedies typically have fewer side effects, especially when used over long periods with appropriate breaks in treatment. In addition to addressing symptoms, herbal medicine focuses on the underlying causes of health issues, helping clients achieve balance and increase their body’s sensitivity to self-healing processes. By addressing root causes, herbal treatments can trigger the body’s natural ability to heal itself, ultimately empowering individuals with a deeper understanding of their body, mind, and spirit.
Rather than merely suppressing symptoms, herbs work in alignment with the body’s natural processes, gradually shifting the individual toward improved health. With continued use, many individuals report not only physical healing but also enhanced intuition, creativity, and self-awareness. This holistic approach encourages long-term wellness and a preventative mindset, helping individuals avoid future imbalances or illnesses while fostering overall well-being.
"The whole plant is always greater than the sum of its parts" - Aristotles -
The Power of Plant Sinergy
The phrase "The whole is greater than the sum of its parts" is often attributed to the philosopher Aristotle. In herbalism, we adopted this idea to emphasize that the therapeutic benefits of a whole plant—due to the synergy of its complex compounds—are greater than the effects of isolated active ingredients.
I’m fascinated about synergy in herbal multi-compound and very glad to see that more scientific evidence is growing these days that will help to optimize herbal formulation. The chemical profile of medicinal herbs is very complex. They contain thousands of different varieties of compounds with many therapeutic effects, yet do not understand their synergies or their interactions.
The pharmaceutical market has developed drugs with a single active constituent from plants. They can be a single compound isolated from plants or synthetic variants of natural compounds. One example is the berberine constituent found in many species in the genus Berberis such as the Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium) or Barberry (Berberis vulgaris), an alkaloid mainly located in the root. Research (Tran QL, 2003) has determined that berberine was the single most active antimalarial compound. However, berberine-contained medicinal plants usually have other important compounds that are able to enhance activity, decrease toxicity, or add other relevant therapeutic actions to the overall outcome. For instance, flavonoid constituents found in the same Berberis-genus plant have been shown to enhance the antimicrobial activity of berberine compared to the single isolated berberine compound. Moreover, multiple studies have found that the alkaloids found in crude extracts of the roots were more effective than isolated compounds.
Another herb with antimalarial therapeutic actions is the Sweet Annie (Artemisia annua) herb. The active compound called Artemisinin is one of the most widely sold drugs in the world. However, a clinical trial (Mueller MS , 2004) showed that the crude decoction of A. annua effectively eliminated symptoms in adults with chronic malaria. The cure rates were on average 74%. Results showed that the levels of artemisinin in the plant were far lower than those found in the isolated drugs, suggesting that there is more to A. annua than just artemisinin.
The effectiveness and strength of herbal medicines are based on this synergy when formulated herbal extracts, and herbalists believe that the whole plant is always greater than the sum of its parts.
What you can expect in my one-on-one consultations?
If you’re ready to explore how herbal treatments can support your health and help manage different conditions, I will be happy to guide you. With a comprehensive background in Herbal Medicine, Nutrition, and Iridology, I'm super passionate about supporting individuals with a holistic approach. I specialize in personalized herbal remedies designed to address your unique health needs and promote overall well-being.
Personalized Plans: Tailoring nutrition plans to individual needs, considering factors such as lifestyle, preferences, and health goals.
Emotional Connection: Addressing emotional ties to food, helping clients understand and navigate their relationship with eating.
Mindful Eating: Encouraging mindful practices to enhance awareness of hunger cues, satiety, and overall enjoyment of meals.
Whole Foods Emphasis: Advocating for a diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods to maximize nutritional benefits and support overall health.
Lifestyle Integration: Incorporating nutrition seamlessly into daily life, offering practical strategies for busy schedules and diverse routines.
Connection with Earth and the Sun: Highlighting the vital relationship between food, the Earth, and the sun's energy, promoting simple kitchen preparations that honor this natural connection.
Contact me to schedule a consultation and discover how our herbal treatments can make a difference in your health journey.
References
Griggs, Barbara. Green Pharmacy: A History of Herbal Medicine. Healing Arts Press, 1997.
Dioscorides, Pedanius. De Materia Medica. Translated by Lily Y. Beck, Olms Verlag, 2005.
Hippocrates. Hippocratic Writings. Translated by J. Chadwick and W.N. Mann, Penguin Books, 1983.
Ryan, K. The efficacy of ginger root in motion sickness prevention. Journal of Travel Medicine, 2010.
Newman, D.J., Cragg, G.M. Natural Products as Sources of New Drugs over the Last 25 Years. Journal of Natural Products, 2007.
WHO. World Health Organization Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants. Vols 1-4. WHO Press, 1999-2009.
British Herbal Medicine Association. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Association, 1996.
Habibi P, Shi Y, Fatima Grossi-de-Sa M, Khan I. Plants as Sources of Natural and Recombinant Antimalaria Agents. Mol Biotechnol. 2022;64(11):1177-1197. doi:10.1007/s12033-022-00499-9
Mueller MS, Runyambo N, Wagner I, Borrmann S, Dietz K, Heide L. Randomized controlled trial of a traditional preparation of Artemisia annua L. (Annual Wormwood) in the treatment of malaria. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2004;98(5):318-321. doi:10.1016/j.trstmh.2003.09.001
Ferreira JF, Luthria DL, Sasaki T, Heyerick A. Flavonoids from Artemisia annua L. as antioxidants and their potential synergism with artemisinin against malaria and cancer. Molecules. 2010;15(5):3135-3170. Published 2010 Apr 29. doi:10.3390/molecules15053135
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