Standardization Continued

One of the things that attracted me to herbalism way back in 1970 was the holistic approach it offered. Rather than focussing on symptoms or disease, what I read seemed to focus on the person not a diagnosis.

This way of looking at the whole person and the environment in which they lived seemed to me a superior way to improve health. I went from believing health was an absence of symptoms, to a much more dynamic, vital definition of health. To me , being healthy means not only not being sick, but having sufficient energy to enjoy every day; to sleep well, to greet every day as the gift it is, and to embrace the circumstances and people we encounter every day. I don't mean that you should run up and plant a big kiss on every one you meet, or that you see every day through rose colored glasses, but that you feel so good inside yourself that the positive feeling overflows and enhances your experiences.

I think using herbal remedies is one way to work toward this goal. If you use whole herbs, rather than the standardized herbs, the effect may be different every time you use the particular herb, depending on how different the sample may be; but I believe your body is more adapted to extracting what it needs from the whole herb.

I sometimes use standardized herbal products, they are more readily available locally, and more convenient to carry than raw herbs if I am traveling. If I am trying to make a major change, whether it is trying to ward off an illness, or help heal one already manifesting, I prefer using whole herbs, and preparing them based on a traditional recipe.

The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations

To Standardize or Not To Standardize

People have often asked my opinion about Standardized Herbal Remedies. My answer usually begins, “That depends...”

Since there is no single standard for herbal remedies, and different manufacturers can standardize the same remedy for different properties, or to different concentrations, or both, it’s hard to give a definitive answer about standardization.

Also, when you begin processing natural products, such as herbs, the product becomes less natural, and the more it is processed, the more it resembles a pharmaceutical drug rather than a natural remedy.

I believe that humanity has evolved through many centuries, consuming natural products, such as herbs and other plant foods; and I believe that our bodies are most suited to consume things in a more natural state. Using whole herbs gives us the full spectrum of the herb, not just the particular aspect that someone somewhere decided was the most important or most effective.

The disadvantage to using whole herbs is the difficulty in knowing exactly how strong a particular herb might be. So many factors can affect the potency of any herb, such as when it was grown, where it was grown, when it was harvested, how it was stored, how long since it was harvested, etc. This makes it difficult to determine dosages, and to know just how strong a reaction will be produced by any particular herb.

The advantage to using a standardized herb is that the dose and potency will be very similar, as long as you use products from the same manufacturer, and if you have taken the product before, you can expect a similar reaction.

Unfortunately, while the standardizing of herbs makes them more even in their effects, it can mean certain constituents of the whole herb may be deleted or discarded, because research seems to point to particular aspects of the herb as providing the maximum benefit.

I believe it is best to use herbal remedies in a minimally processed state whenever possible, and that traditional methods of using and preparing herbs are more likely to produce deep and lasting effects on the human body.

The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations

Today is celebrated as Chinese New Year, so I thought it would be appropriate to talk about Ginger, an essential ingredient in much of Chinese cooking as well as one of the most frequently used herbs in many traditional Chinese herbal remedies.

Ginger is also used in other traditions, both in cooking and as medicinally, I do not mean to imply it is only used in Chinese remedies.

Many traditional Chinese remedies include Ginger in their formulae, often along with another herb, jujube dates. According to tradition, these two herbs harmonise the other ingredients in a formula (or recipe) and make them more absorbable, and so more effective.

Ginger is also traditionally used for nausea and vomiting, andc has been shown, in some studies to be as effective as spme over the counter remedies for motion sickness. (I feel I should point out that there are also studies that say it has little effect; if you suffer from motion sickness, try it and see if it works for you.) Traditionally, the fresh root is considered more effective for nausea, and that has been my experience.

Use caution with ginger if you have stomach ulcers, as some research has shown that it seems to increase acid secretion in the stomach, and can increase problems associated with ulcers.

Some herbalists say you should not use ginger if you are pregnant, others say it is perfectly safe, and even suggest ginger as a remedy for morning sickness. My advice is that if you are pregnant or nursing, don't take any herbs, over the counter remedies or supplements without discussing it with your doctor.

Some recent studies have shown Ginger to be an effective remedy for nausea resulting from chemotherapy, but it should only be used in this situation with your doctor's approval.

Ginger has also been traditionally used to stimulate circulation, both taken internally, and as a bath or compress externally. Ginger is a diaphoretic, a big word that means it makes you sweat.

Ginger also helps coughing and chronic bronchitis, also seems to help break up mucus in the respiratory system, and help it discharge.

Ginger also has an anti inflammatory effect, and some herbalists recommend it as a safer alternative for non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAD's or NSAID's). It takes longer to have an effect, but seems to have fewer long term side effects. (Iif you are taking medication at the direction of your doctor, do not stop without first checking with your doctor.)

That's it for now, back soon.

The material presented in this blog is for informational use only and should in no way be used as a substitute for needed medical treatment. I am not a doctor, I do not diagnose or treat disease. If you need medical care, please consult the appropriate medical professional. And please discuss with your doctor if you are taking or planning to take any herbal preparations.