How to Benefit From Herbal Medicine

By James A. Duke and Ph.D.
Published on December 1, 2002
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How to benefit from herbal medicine. Herbs can be safer and less expensive than conventional drugs.
How to benefit from herbal medicine. Herbs can be safer and less expensive than conventional drugs.
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Your herbalist and doctor should know what the other has recommended, for safety's sake.
Your herbalist and doctor should know what the other has recommended, for safety's sake.
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Illustration: St. John's Wort.
Illustration: St. John's Wort.

Learn how to benefit from herbal medicine using these helpful tips.

Herbal Spices as Medicine

Kitchen Spices for Health

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.

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. Learn more on how to benefit from herbal medicine.

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