Choosing Your Medical Treatment - Herbal Medicine Vs Prescription ...

By Mary Bodel

There is a lot of information available about herbal remedies vs. prescription drugs, and it almost seems to come from two combatants in armed camps. Many doctors are leery of herbs and tell their patients to avoid all of them. On the other hand, many herbalists think that modern medicine is like using a sledge hammer when a push pin is all that?s required.

I don?t agree with either side, at least in the manner in which they are often presented. There are times for both and room enough in providing the best possible care for the patient to change this from an ?either/or? matter to a ?let?s work together? matter.

As an herbalist, my attitude toward herbs is obviously positive. However, so is my attitude about prescription drugs. There are things I can?t fix with herbs. The ones that are safe aren?t always strong enough and the herbs that are strong enough aren?t always safe. As the patient, here are a few of the liabilities and drawbacks of going the ?either/or? route and how you can get the best care from both camps.

Doctors: The only person who can diagnose and prescribe medication is a doctor. That?s a good thing, they?ve had up to an additional twelve years of schooling to help them learn what they need to know to help you. They tend to stick to medications because that is also part of their training. They know what the drugs do, how they work and how effective they are likely to be in a given situation.

While more and more of them are beginning to at least interest themselves in herbal or other alternative practices, most know very little about them. In order to avoid interactions, they are likely to ban herbs altogether for your safety. The Hippocratic Oath, one that all doctors take, says ?First do no harm.? Suggesting an herb they know nothing about could be in violation of that oath.

Herbalists: By the time I reached the status of Master Herbalist, I?d been studying not just the plants but anatomy, physiology and other aspects of taking care of the human body for more than twenty years. While I would not dream of diagnosing or prescribing, I usually have a pretty good idea of what?s going on when someone consults me.

I also know a good deal about which drugs will interact with what herbs. I?m aware that herbs can make medical conditions worse, and use caution there. When it comes to the chemical constituents of the plants, I either know them or know how to find out fast. These things are very helpful when it comes to patient care.

Complementary Care: This, to me, is the best of both worlds. The doctor can help find out what?s wrong and prescribe medications. I can listen to what the doctor says and offer suggestions of herbs or other therapies to go along with it. Together, we can make sure that what you take, whether herb or drug, will work for you. To me, that is the answer to the question of which to use. I say both?with appropriate consultation

This entry was posted on July 29, 2011, 2:25 pm and is filed under Heatlh Treatmen. You can follow any responses to this entry through RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Source: http://www.nikolatesla150.org/choosing-your-medical-treatment-herbal-medicine-vs-prescription-drugs.html

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