Using Herbal Remedies

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Herbs can be safer and less expensive than conventional drugs.

by James A. Duke,Ph.D.

Many Americans believe we have the world's best health-care system—that's certainly what medical doctors and government health experts keep telling us. But did you know that a recent report in the journal of the American Medical Association said that "adverse drug reactions are believed to be the leading cause of death in the United States"?

If this system is the best, it leaves a lot to be desired. Plenty of people assume that the pharmaceuticals their doctors prescribe are better than herbal medicines. I'm delighted this situation is rapidly changing.

I've been a botanist specializing in medicinal plants for most of my 30-year career and I've seen medicinal herbs successfully treat conditions high-tech pharmaceuticals barely touched. One reason herbs aren't better known in the United States is that the drug companies can't patent them—yet. Drug companies make much of their money by pulling the medicinally active molecules out of herbs, then tinkering with them until they're chemically unique. The companies can then patent their new molecules, give them brand names and sell them back to us for a lot more money than their original herbal sources cost.

HERBS ARE GOOD MEDICINE

Of course, drug companies always say their unique molecules are better, stronger and safer than herbs. I'll readily agree that they are stronger. In fact, they're often too strong and may have more side effects than their herbal precursors.

As for pharmaceuticals being better, that's hard to say. In some studies, herbs clearly perform better. Ginger, for example, has been shown to be superior to the pharmaceutical dimenhydrinate (Dramamine) as a preventive ther apy for motion sickness. In several recent studies in Europe, St. John's wort has proven as good as synthetics for treating mild to moderate depression; saw palmetto as good as synthetics for enlarged prostates; ginkgo biloba as good as the first approved synthetic for Alzheimer's disease. And all have fewer side effects and all are cheaper than the competing synthetics.

I'm not saying pharmaceuticals are bad. I am saying we need more research comparing herbs against pharmaceutical drugs in fair, well-designed trials. Until that happens, we simply won't know which is better. That leads me to the conclusion that Americans are not necessarily getting the best medicine. In many cases, herbal therapies may prove to be more economical,. more effective and safer—all with fewer side effects—than the pharmaceuticals.

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