Herbal vs. pharmaceutical medicine What is the difference? Which do I choose?

Herbal medicine aka Botanical and/or Phytotherapy An herb is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor, or therapeutic properties(Medline Plus, 2014). Herbs come in all forms including: tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts, and fresh or dried plants (Medline Plus, 2014). Herbs are natural forms of medicine that can create the same chemical reactions that pharmaceuticals do without most of the unnatural stuff in them and less severe side effects. Herbs should not be taken unsupervised though in conjunction with pharmaceuticals because the risk is too great in over dosing by taking too much of the same medicine in different forms.

Dangers of Herbs Some herbs such as Arnica should not be taken orally but they can be under supervision of a doctor or by someone who is well educated in herbs. Arnica can cause liver damage if taken in too high of a dose and acts similar to anti-inflammatory drugs and speeds up the healing process. Over dose can occur if you use herbs in conjunction with pharmaceuticals or OTC medications because these medications are derivatives of the natural herb form. Another Herb that can cause a dangerous overdose reaction is valarian root. Valarian root has shown to have anti-depressant properties but if taken in conjunction with a pharmaceutical drug the patient experiences overdose effects of this chemical.

Pharmaceuticals Pharmaceuticals are derived and chemically processed forms of the chemicals we find in herbs that cause reactions we desire in the body. Herbs have been studied and found to have chemicals that cause healing, so, in pharmacology the herbs are dissected and the chemical we believe is responsible for the desired affect is isolated and used usually in a higher potency than in the natural form. Pharmaceuticals can have severe side effects and the body may not process it effectively because now studies have shown it is not just the isolated chemical that is doing the work, it is actually a conjunction of chemicals and ingredients that bring about the healing process.

Dangers in taking Pharmaceuticals Overdose can be fatal and/or life threatening Many pharmaceuticals can become addictive because the core issue is not being addressed Some drugs may even make symptoms worse and in the case of anti-depressant this can be deadly if a person commits suicide A lot of pharmaceuticals are highly addictive and can be acquired without the authorization of a doctor Pharmaceuticals have shown to cause permanent changes in the brain for some individuals and side effects can be delayed to later in life completely unrecognizing the connection to the drugs Clients often confuse the drug medication with a cure since symptoms dissipate while on the drugs but later return because the underlying issues are never addressed such as lifestyle and dietary changes We know the illegal drug ecstasy was created by pharmacologists as a psychiatric drug and was banned from the market because it was shown to deplete the brain of dopamine and cause long term severe depression These medications have not been tested long-term (10-20 yrs down the road and no generational studies tha I have seen) and I would consider these medications to be experimental since they are constantly being recalled and companies sued for the nasty side effects and long term damage some of these medications can cause. Ritalin is a perfect exmple of a drug that was not studied enough before offering it to the public. I personally took it at 4-6 years old and have found research studies suggesting children on Ritalin under the age of 6 showed signs of psychosis as adults in their early 20’s

Main Differences Herbs are designed to facilitate the bodies healing process while pharmaceuticals are designed to heal the body. Herbs have less side effects when taken responsibly and under doctor supervision than their pharmaceutical counter parts Herbal medicine does not change the chemical make-up of the medicine where pharmaceuticals isolate certain chemicals and create a new form of medicine Taking herbs can help to maintain as well as improve ones health and have no dependency issues whereas a lot of pharmaceuticals can have dependency issues and they only maintain health. Pharmaceuticals are considered drugs while herbs are considered medicine I cannot think of one herb that is addictive but can list hundred of pharmaceuticals that can actually make symptoms worse in a person who is being treated. Pharmaceuticals merely mask the symptoms and address symptoms while herbal medicine is designed to get to the root of the issue and correct the problem causing the symptoms while strengthening our bodies and immune systems in the process. Pharmaceuticals can be unaffordable and the prices range from $3 for a generic form to hundreds of dollars while herbs are more affordable and are more natural for your body to recognize and use effectively

What do I look for when finding herbs When selecting the herbs you want to use it is important to first identify which form works best with your body (ie: tinctures, teas, tablets) The next thing to look at is where the product came from since herbs are not regulated in the USA. Make sure they come from a pure organic source and know where the herbs are grown to insure high quality and no contamination of other toxins (Herb Pharm is a great company with high quality herbs they grow organically and this is where I get all my tinctures) Once you identify the best form for your body and find high quality herbs the next step is to find a ND who can guide you through the healing process and monitor your progress.

Handling of herbs When you get your tinctures or supplements make sure you store them in a cool dry place. Tinctures must be packaged in dark colored glass bottles to ensure their potency and are heat and cold sensitive I store my vitamins and pill forms in the refrigerator to ensure their freshness and potency Most herbal tinctures also have an expiration date, so, be sure to you use them before they expire and throw out expired herbs Teas must be stored also in a dry place and sealed to ensure their effectiveness

Doctors and Links to Organic Herbs Dr. Kim Kelly is a great doctor who resides in Southern California. He is reasonable in pricing and has been in practice for many years. Dr. John Lucking is another ND who graduated from Bastyr and has been practicing medicine for the past 26 years here in South Minneapolis, MN. HerbPharm is a great resource to use when looking for high quality herbal supplements. Here is a link to their website: For supplement forms of herbal medicine, I like to use Natures Sunshine products which can be shipped to your door. Here is a link to their website: (Natures Sunshine also offers a membership program that offers a discounted rate to those who join or are connected to a distributer of these supplements) Disclaimer: I would strongly suggest going directly to the manufacturer when purchasing these supplements or your doctor if they carry them as you do not know how a third party has stored these before you purchase them. They could have been exposed to heat which would make them null and void.

Resources MedicinePlus(2015) Drugs Supplements and Herbal Information, retrieved on: 2/1/2015 from: Kaplan University(2015)Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, retrieved on: 2/1/2015 from: Natural Health School(2015)Introduction to Herbalism, retrieved on: 2/1/2015 from: and-drugs.html and-drugs.html Introduction to Herbalism(2015)Difference between herbs and drugs, retrieved on: 2/1/2015 from: and-drugs.html