Chronic Disease

Chronic Disease

CAN  HERBS SAFELY HELP YOUR LONG TERM CHRONIC CONDITION?

Article by © Diana Thurbon

BA. Dip Med. Herb., Dip Soc Science Snr Fellow AANMP
Naturopath, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Meditation Teacher

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Chronic Disease & Natural Health

Questions:

• Are you one of those people who have been passed around from doctor to doctor?  

• Have you been given provisional diagnoses along the way?

• Have you been prescribed a bucket load of different drugs for your symptoms? 

• Do you still have the same problems and are they getting worse? 

• How could herbs possibly help when you’ve taken lots of tablets and still keep getting worse?

They are very good questions. The answer lies in the quote below by Dr Andrew Weil.

"I am dismayed at how far apart the fields of medicine and botany have drifted…150 years ago medicine and botany were closely allied…medicine in this century [has] moved us away from, even created a fear of nature.  But healing is a natural process, so it seems to me the further we move from nature, the further we move away from healing and knowing how to foster it in people." (*1)

Healing IS a natural process and sometimes modern medicine treats symptoms but not the underlying problem. 

Herbal medicine is based on this holistic model which focuses on the body’s innate capacity to return to a natural balance and heal itself as long as it is given the right environment.  Part of that natural environment is the use of herbs for healing.

Our bodies know what to do with herbs because they have the same elements and compounds that are in the fruits, vegetables and grains we eat without a second thought. 

We can digest, absorb and metabolise herbs as easily as we can digest, absorb and metabolise a plate of mashed potatoes. 

Herbal medicine is however, more concentrated and unfortunately it doesn’t often taste as good as mashed potatoes!

The herbs that are used for healing, are plants that have high levels of natural compounds such as flavonoids, saponins, alkaloids, tannins and terpines.

When used appropriately these complex natural substances gently move your body along its own healing path

Why bother?  Aren’t drugs quicker and easier?  Well how are drugs working for you? 

One common cause of death in our society is 'iatrogenic' that is caused by the medicines you take and the procedures you have. 

Editors Note: Iatrogenesis is a major risk to patients. A   study showed more than one-third of illnesses of patients in a university hospital were iatrogenic, nearly one in ten was considered major, and, in 2% of the patients, the iatrogenic disorder ended in death.

Drugs have serious problems with toxicity, side effects, rebound effects etc.

Then of course there is the problem of polypharmacy – taking a cocktail of drugs can have sadly fatal results.

I can mix chamomile, lemon balm, valerian, hops, passionflower  and skullcap and all that will happen is I’ll feel calmer and if I pop a ginkgo and St John’s Wort capsule at the same time it doesn’t have any potential to harm me.

NOTE: Drugs have an important place.  I’m not anti modern western medicine.  They save lives in acute illness and can alleviate dreadful suffering; but chronic problems are often better treated naturally and holistically.

Herbs account for less than 1% of negative reactions, but pharmalogical drugs account for virtually all the millions of negative reactions right throughout the world.

So why not visit an accredited Naturopath or Herbalist and use natural medicines that stimulate your own body’s healing? 

Herbs are non-invasive, non toxic, inexpensive and they work.

The commitment you make when you begin using herbal medicine will generally encourage you to make improvements to your diet and to begin embracing attitudes and behaviours which will contribute along with the herbs to you regaining a healthy, exciting and vibrant life.

 

Article provided by : Diana Thurbon

BA. Dip Med. Herb., Dip Soc Science Snr Fellow AANMP

Naturopath, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Meditation Teacher

 

Compiled by:

Dieter L. Editor of useNature

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Reference:

*1 Dr. Andrew Weil, M.D. “The bodies Healing Systems: The Furure of Medical Education.” - In Alternative and Complementary Therapies, September/October 1995

*2 Landis, Robyn. Herbal Defence: Positioning Yourself to Triumph over Illness and Aging. Warner Books. 1997.

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Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is intended for general use and for personal interest only. It should not be used or understood as suggestion or medical advice.