How to use herbs scientifically, in Allopathic practice.

Since time immemorial, Man has used herbs to heal himself. All over the world, this wisdom has passed on from generation-to-generation, through the ages.

In some countries like India and China, formal medical systems evolved.  Over time, these medical systems grew and they kept on incorporating and adding more and more knowledge about locally-growing herbs.

 Through experience or received wisdom, or perhaps through both, Man knew that certain herbs had certain actions and he used them accordingly.

In every part of the inhabited world, herbs have been used since ancient times, for healing.    Some of this knowledge fell into disuse.  Some of it was lost through annihilation that occurred as a result of wars and natural calamities.

In places where this traditional knowledge did not crystallise into a formal system of medicine, it survived as part of folk lore and culture.

Internet has facilitated the spread of this ancient knowledge all over the world.  It doesn’t matter in which part of the world these herbs grow.

Today, if we want to, we can study them and we can actually use any or all of the world’s herbs in our practice, irrespective of the country we are living in!

The actions of Herbs:

Herbs have certain actions on our body.   Those actions which bring about a predictable and measurable change in our body may be called the biological actions of herbs.

Herbs will have the same biological actions in all persons who take them.   As against this, certain herbs also act in a subtle manner, in certain persons or under certain specific conditions.

Homeopathy uses the subtle actions of herbs, rather than their biological actions.

Subtle actions of herbs need not be the same in all persons.  Also, they may be different in the same person at different times in his life.

Ayurveda and most other traditional systems of medicine use herbs for their biological actions on the body.

Herbs can be used in a scientific and rational manner. 

Herbs can be used safely and effectively, simultaneously with allopathic medicines, without causing harmful interactions.

Simultaneous use of herbs reduces the number of allopathic medicines required.

Ayurveda describes the action of herbs based upon the six ‘rasas’ said to be present in them. These six rasas are Madhur, Amla, Tikta, Katu, Lavan, Turat.

The type of rasas present and quantity of each rasa determines how a particular herb will affect vaata-pitta-kapha in health and disease.

Let us now go further and take a look at the different ‘drug delivery systems’ of herbs, used by different medical systems.  Ayurveda uses churnas, kadhas, asavs and arishtas.  Homeopathy uses alcoholic extracts called tinctures and dilutions. 

I use the tinctures and dilutions made by Homeopathic companies.  I use them for the biological actions they will necessarily exert.

Dilutions are liquids which can be poured onto lactose pills for dispensing to patients. They have absolutely no side-effects.

I mix and match herbs from all over the world to make my own formulae, to the satisfaction of both, myself and the patients I treat!