Pharmaceuticals, on the other hand, are unfamiliar to our bodies and therefore often cause side effects. Drugs can also cause a toxic buildup because our bodies often don't know how to process them. Very few herbs are. Another advantage of herbs over drugs is their complementary actions. When herbs are used in their whole forms, they have complementary components that not only help with the healing process of the particular ailment, but also synergetically help other weak systems in the body.
Drugs address a specific problem whereas herbs act to heal the whole body.
No herbalist will suggest completely eschewing Western medicine. In the case of trauma, get yourself to the emergency room. But after you get your bone set, you can use herbs to facilitate faster healing. But if your disease has progressed past the point where herbs can help, it is time to rely on drugs. My suggestion for initiating your herbal defense is to go to a trained herbalist.