[2-part post combined. BIG] Hi Bob ~ There are some problems here in your post. Some things are turned upside down. I hope I can present them clearly for you. 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 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 medicinalconstituent 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. >dosage (leaf, pill, whatever) has NOTHING to do with the biochemistry of >the chemical agent that causes the desired effect. I ADD: I think it does if done right. If you do not eliminate the other medicinal constituents of the plant (there are lesser ones),is becomes a viable remedy and able to help. If the dosage has nothing to do with it...how can an herbal remedy be as effective as it is today. >Aspirin is aspirin because of its molecular structure, NOT because it >was made by Beyer or found in the bark of a willow tree. There are a >number of obtuse and misdirected people who can't understand the basic >concept that a drug is defined by the exact structure of its parts, NOT >from its source of origin. I ADD: Okay here you are trying to fit the paradym of Allopathic medicine (AMA) into a mold for natural medicine. Allopathic medicine and natural medicine are two very different theories: allopathic medicine seeks to aleviate the symptoms; natural medicine seeks a natural remedy to retrain the body to take over for itself and heal. It works at the "cause" of the illness. Many people do not understand that natural medicine only seeks to come up with a remedy to stimulate the body at it's causative site to repair itself and to attain homeostasis. After that is accomplished the remedy is withdrawn. In no way are our remedies called "drugs." Natural remedies are made very differently from allopathic or AMA drugs. "Drugs" are often synthesized and made from parts of plants yes, but there are additives in them also. These additives can also cause side effects. >by labs, and some that haven't been adequately studied to understand >their exact composition, but that in no way changes the fact that (grain) >achohol is EXACTLY the same compound regardless if it is distilled in a >lab by scientists, or fermented in beer by yeast. >The use of the word "herbal" is a synonym for "drug," but for the >uneducated, it sounds benign. That is extremely dangerous. I ADD: We were asked to change our sign from "Natural Pharmacy" to "Conley Farm Herbs" because the pharmacy board said I was not dispensing drugs. Only pharmacies that dispense drugs can us the word "pharmacy." I asked who gave them the right to take a word from the dictionary, etc, etc...but we did change the sign. I repeat "Herbs are not drugs in any way shape or origin." You said: >The deeper point is herbal medicines, if effective, are based on >compounds that are generally known and used in mainstream medicine. >One major difference is that modern I ADD: Right here, however a responsible practitioner will have a copy of the GermanCommission E, commissioned by ta-da - The German Govt. It came out in 1999 I think. It was commissioned by Germany to test herbs for safety, and the book is a compiled result of their testing. It includes all safety issues known at the time of testing. The book I refer to tonight (in the rest of my post) is a text for a nursing school textbook publisher (Mosby, Harcourt & Brace). I am their Herbal consultant and they generously gave me credit on page 2. I think your facts about herbs probably came from a med school that is very down on drugs. Actually one can get a fair assessment of these wonderful remedies by studying them in an herbal school; not just a course in med school, taught by AMA people. Plus you have to see the herb in it's habitat; feel the herb; and work with it to fully understand even a bit of it's mystery. And 2,000 years of Chinese medicine can't be wrong; neither can the remedies produced by the indians which allowed the colonists to thrive. You said: >One major difference is that modern medicines are regulated to dosage >and purity, but herbal compounds are not. Not true. It's not only picking the right remedy; it's picking the right dosage. And purity.....well....sha.....I grow my own; make the remedy or the flower essence; and only my hands touch these in a sterile environment. And here I can put the intention into the remedy as well as the energy. The utensils, bottles and jars are always sterilized. I imagine those suppliers like "Nature's Way", " Solgar," etc would be shocked at your remark. >A more important difference is modern medicines are tested to determine >correct (equals safe and effective) dosage, and possible side-effects >are determined and reported. I ADD: Not true. It's not publicized but every month we'd have to remove 3 or 4 drugs from our shelves because of attributed deaths. Ref: diet drugs which caused heart valve problems; viagra which was rushed in too soon and has caused 4 deaths by now. Each month it's a different drug. HRT for women is the worst. Now it's being re-evaluated. I had patients in their 80's taking it at the pharmacy at great cost to them. I took herbs for 2 years, am through menopause and not on anything and feel good. >Such side-effects were NOT well known regarding ephedra, and 81 people >have paid the ultimate price of the lack of understanding. They are >DEAD! I ADD: Warnings about ephedra went out 6 years ago when I started at an AMA pharmacy. It's been known for a long time, but the govt just didn't get it out, hoping natural med. would be blamed. There is so much good information out on herbs right now from their growing; manufacture (which is contained in my course); the remedy making process; and safety issues in books and tapes, etc. Unfortunately now some of the med schools have come on board and much erroneous information is being taught. It's a shame for this kind of erroneous information to be disseminated. I would recommend either reading books by Matt Wood; David Hoffman; my buddy Dr. Jim Duke; Michael Tierra who teaches Chinese Medicine; or Susun Weed. All of which have dedicated their lives to the correct dissemination of herbal information. You just set them back about 100 years. Warmly ~ Mary L. Conley, N.D. M.S. Natural Health, Herbalist The Conley Farm & Learning Center Mystical Forest Children's herbs Online courses Herbalist The Conley Farm - organic herbs Online Classes ~ [log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 3931]