Advantages and Disadvantages of Herbal
Medicine

There are many advantages and disadvantages of herbal medicine. Before treating oneself with herbs, or seeking advice from a qualified herbalist or naturopath, one must consider the pros and cons of herbal medicine.

See some common herbs used for medicinal purposes.

Herbal medicine remains largely an unproven, inexact science. Although the history of herbal medicine provides decades, sometimes centuries, of anecdotal information, scientific study of herbal medicine remains in its infancy. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Service’s National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) has only been in operation since 1992. Compared to the Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which was founded over 100 years ago, NCCAM is in its infancy and has only begun to scratch the surface of scientific research.

Despite the criticism of herbal medicine among mainstream medical professionals, it is wise to remember that many common drugs we use today were derived from plant-based sources. Scientists originally derived aspirin from willow bark; herbalists prescribe white willow for headaches and pain control. Digitalis, a drug prescribed for certain heart conditions, comes from an extract of potentially toxic foxglove flowers. While it’s true that herbal supplement manufacturers often make bold or outrageous claims, critics shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss herbal medicine as quackery. Here are some of the pros and cons of herbal medicine.

There are numerous advantages and disadvantages of herbal medicine. Anyone considering using herbal medicine to treat health conditions should speak with a qualified health professional.

The advantages of using herbal medicines are numerous. Herbal medicines tend to be more effective for long-standing health complaints that don’t respond well to traditional medicine. Herbs typically have fewer side effects, and may be safer to use over time.

An example may be seen with herbs and alternative remedies used to treat arthritis. Vioxx, a well-known prescription drug uses to treat arthritis, was recalled due to increased risk of cardiovascular complications. Alternative treatments for arthritis, on the other hand, have few side effects. Adjusting the diet to remove vegetables from the nightshade family, reducing white sugar consumption, and adding simple herbs to the diet have few side effects. Most herbal medicines are well tolerated by the patient, with fewer unintended consequences than pharmaceutical drugs.

Another advantage to herbal medicine is cost. Herbs cost much less than prescription medications. Research, testing, and marketing add considerably to the cost of prescription medicines. Herbs tend to be inexpensive compared to drugs.

Yet another advantage of herbal medicines are their availability. Herbs are available without a prescription, and some simple herbs, such as peppermint and chamomile, can be grown at home. In some remote parts of the world, herbs may be the only treatment available to the majority of people. Many find the easy availablity of herbs appealing.

Herbs are not without some disadvantages. For sudden, serious illnesses, mainstream medicine still reigns supreme. An herbalist would not be able to treat serious trauma, such as a broken leg, nor would he be able to heal an appendicitis or a heart attack as effectively as a conventional doctor using modern diagnostic tests, surgery, and drugs. Modern medicine treats sudden illness and accidents much more effectively than herbal or alternative treatments.

Another disadvantage of herbal medicine is the very real risks of doing oneself harm through self-dosing with herbs. While one can argue that the same thing can happen with medications, such as accidentally overdosing on cold remedies, many herbs do not come with instructions or package inserts. There’s a very real risk of overdose. Harvesting herbs in the wild is risky, if not foolhardy, yet some people try to identify and pick wild herbs. They run a very real risk of poisoning themselves if they don’t correctly identify the herb, or if they use the wrong part of the plant.

Herbal treatments can interact with medications. Nearly all herbs come with some warning, and many, like the herbs used for anxiety such as Valerian and St. John’s Wort, can interact with prescription medication such as antidepressants. It’s important to discuss your medications and herbal supplements with your doctor.

Because herbal products are not tightly regulated, consumers also run the risk of buying inferior quality herbs. The quality of herbal products may vary among batches, brands or manufacturers. This can make it much more difficult to prescribe the proper dose of an herb.

The bottom line is that herbs are medicines, and like taking medications, herbs have some advantages and disadvantages. Visiting a physician for the correct diagnosis, consulting an herbalist for the proper herb and dosage, and embracing modern medicine when it makes the most practical sense may be the best of all possible worlds for those who wish to use alternative and complimentary therapies.

For more information on herbal medicines, please see:

• National Center for Alternative and Complimentary Medicine offers the latest research on herbs, supplements, therapies and more.
• Holistic Online contains a wealth of resources for those interested in herbal medicine.

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