>There are some problems here in your post.
 
I surmised an herbalist might think so.
 
>Some things are turned upside down.  I hope I can present them clearly
>for you.
 
Not meaning to be condescending, but I doubt that you can present them
any clearer than I already understand them.  Nonetheless, proceed and I
will respond accordingly.
 
>This is not in any way meant to be as a slam, but since my first love
>is teaching I don't like to see these mistakes out.
 
I too teach, and I LOVE debating issues so others can learn.  Also, these
posts are not slams nor flames, just a discussion of comments that have
been posted.
 
>I ADD: In the manufacturing, a working "Remedy- not a drug" is made
>from parts of a plant.  Most remedies contain the whole plant, but some
>are made from parts of plants.  The primary medicinal constituent we
>want is in the herb.  However, when the whole plant is used, the
>additional constituents contained in the plant generously serve as
>"buffering agents" which drastically lessen unwanted side effects.
>When the pharmaceutical industry makes a remedy it takes the medicinal
>constituent "out" of a plant, and, destroys the full value of the plant
>and creates what we know to be side-effects.  "Buffering agents" and
>other plant parts are disguarded during synthesis of the plant.
 
This is patently incorrect.  First, ANY product--natural or artificial--
can have side effects.  Most people can eat soy or peanuts; I am very
allergic to both.  With me, peanuts cause severe cramping and diarrhea,
and soy products cause me to break out in hives.  Some people have
reactions to inert materials, others to natural products that have few
recognized problems.  Some side effects are caused by immune system
reactions, others are a result from impacts on physiology, such as when
a male taking a blood pressure medicine has difficulty maintaining an
erection.  There are literally hundreds of other, non-related causes of
side effects.  Because these side effects are the result of multiple
causation, no one "buffering agent" can reduce or inactivate them.
 
In other words, there are no buffering agents that can overcome my
allergic reactions to soy or peanuts.  Many compounds have NEUTRALIZING
agents (antidotes) known to inactivate them, but if you took them at the
same time as the original chemical agent, the compounds would have zero
value.  But a natural buffering agent, located within the herb, able to
allow the positive aspects of the phytochemical to be expressed, yet
holding back the side effects?  THAT statement requires independent and
replicable proof!
 
If such a buffering agent existed, everyone on this list KNOWS some drug
company or another would leap at the chance to sell this panacea of
relief.  Just mixing this "plant panacea" with chemotherapy would save
thousands of children undergoing leukemia treatments from needing wigs.
Imagine, no more reactions to canine distemper shots, no more immune
system reactions, no more secondary system reactions.  Sorry, such a
panacea doesn't exist, and the suggestion is patently false.
 
Second, since you claim natural "buffering agents" are in the original
plant, list them.  Tell me what the "buffering agents" are, how they
work, and the PROOF (an independent, referred journal article is
acceptable) that what you say is correct.  You made the claim, YOU
have the burden of proof; put up or shut up.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 3932]