Botanical Medicine

Botanical medicine is a biological medicinal system which utilizes diverse plants and vegetation found in the natural world as part of a curative therapy.  These plants include plant extracts, fungus, minerals, shells, and certain animal parts, to treat and prevent disease. Many plants synthesize substances that have healing qualities and are useful to the maintenance of health in humans.  Medicinal plants contain natural chemical compounds that act in a way comparable to many synthetic drugs.  

Common pharmaceutical drugs, whether over-the-counter or prescription, were originally developed from natural botanical extracts.  Many pharmaceutical drugs currently available to physicians have a long history of as herbal remedies used by indigenous and ancient cultures, including opium, aspirin, digitalis and quinine.   For example, aspirin is derived from the bark of the willow tree and was developed in the early 19th century.  While the chemical compound, called salicin, was produced in modern times, historical records left by Hippocrates in the 5th century identified the leaves of the willow tree as having pain relieving qualities.  

Although botanical medicine is the forerunner of today's pharmaceutical industry, synthetic drugs have become standard and almost exclusive in the treatment of patients by physicians; however botanical medicine and other holistic healing therapies are becoming more popular.  Dietary supplements can now be found in most households in America and are often recommended by Western Medical Doctors.  Natural herbs and medicinal plants can be taken in various forms.  For example, medicinal plants can be made as part of a vegetarian salad, herbal tea, or natural food supplement.  

 According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 80% of the global population continues to rely on medicinal plant preparations to meet primary health care needs.  Plants have been used since prehistoric times as medicinal remedies applied in various ways to provide relief from a mosquito bite to intestinal parasites.   Indigenous healers developed their acumen in natural healing by observing sick animals and how they change their eating habits and food preferences.  Sick animals tend to forage plants rich in alkaloids which can be found in medications such as codeine and morphine. They even nibble at bitter herbs they would normally reject.   As a caution, a plant that is harmless to a particular animal may not be safe for humans to ingest.   

Botanical medicines, when administered in proper dosages and frequencies, can be effective, produce fewer side effects for most patients than pharmaceutical drugs, and are generally less costly.  However, caution is advised.   Consideration of conflict with other drug therapies is essential.  Always consult a trained naturopathic doctor.  
The benefits of botanical medicine may be subtle or dramatic, depending on the remedy used and the illness being addressed. These remedies usually have a much slower effect than pharmaceutical drugs. Some therapies have a cumulative effect and work slowly over time to restore health; others are indicated for short-term treatment of acute symptoms. Botanical medicine may be especially beneficial when administered to help with chronic ongoing symptoms.  However, they cannot replace many pharmaceutical medicines, such as cardiovascular drugs, but they can be used in cases where a more gentle approach is warranted.