subject: The Ever Widening Gap Between Conventional Medicine and Herbal Medicine? [print this page] The Ever Widening Gap Between Conventional Medicine and Herbal Medicine?
It has been over 20 years now since I first started using and studying
the applications for herbal and homeopathic
medicine. It wasn't that I was against conventional medicine (and still
am not). It was more a blend of curiosity, necessity, and safety, with a dash
of family influence thrown in for good measure that drove me in the direction
of natural herbal and homeopathic health.
I always thought that over time practitioners of western medicine would
eventually see the advantages of herbal and homeopathic medicine while becoming
more aware of the risks involved with pharmaceutical medications. These
realizations would in turn lead to more moderate approach to prescription
pharmaceuticals and open the door for a handful of proven herbal and
homeopathic remedies.
But I fear that the pendulum is swinging in the other direction with
those practicing medicine, with an emphasis on treating disease with
pharmaceutical drugs, becoming even more resistant to the idea.
It is hard to know exactly why this is occurring but one might speculate
it has a lot to do with the many years they spent in the classroom learning
their trade, combined with peer pressure and risks, along with a monetary
component.
One example of the dangers of prescription medications recently
uncovered has to do with the class of medications marketed to improve bone
density. These drugs are still being aggressively promoted despite knowing they
cause permanent bone loss in the jaw and hip and may even cause bones to die.
The intravenous form is given once or twice a year and if it goes bad there is
no turning back the clock. Seminars are even being given at dental conventions
warning of the dangers. So why are these drugs being prescribed, or even
allowed on the market?
An acquaintance of mine after attending one these seminars decided to
talk to her medical professional about some pain she was having along with the
risks involved. Rather than taking her off of these types of medications he
simply switch the brand. I want to believe this is an isolated incident but who
knows.
Oftentimes what I am noticing is that when side effect risks start to
pile up the standard line is that the benefits outweigh the risks. This line is
delivered time and time again when the very real dangers start to become
apparent.
It is also important to point out that it is not the FDA's fault that
action is not taken. After all they are understaffed, underfunded, and
surrounded by powerful forces on all sides advocating the use of prescription
medications.
There has been so much really great news in recent years supporting the
use of herbal and natural remedies for promoting wellness that for the most
part has been swept under the rug and discounted by conventional medicine.
We know that bilberry helps eyesight and may help with long-term eye
health and disease prevention, cayenne pepper may be the cure for the common
cold, St.John's wort helps with mild depression, gingko biloba helps with
circulation, Saw palmetto is great for men with an enlarged prostate and may
slow hair loss, and echinacea boosts immune system function. But good luck in
getting your doctor to send you looking for one of these.
The one exception in recent years where conventional western medicine
and natural medicine have come together is the use of fish oil for
cardiovascular health. What you may not know about omega three rich fish oil is
that some research suggests that it could help with over 60 different diseases
and conditions due to its anti-inflammatory and cell regenerative properties.
While I have painted the gap between natural medicine and prescription
medicine with a broad brush approach it is important to point out that no all
drug companies or doctors share these somewhat contentious point of view. There
is at least on major pharmaceutical company trying to advocate a more natural
approach wellness along with an ever growing number of younger more progressive
