A plethora of articles are appearing each day in newspapers and magazines about alternative medications, herbal therapy, and aromatherapy. Because of the explosive interest in the subject and extensive use of these agents, I recently visited a chain health food store in a nearby city to explore their shelves. I noticed tonics to cure or aid everything from PMS to prostate problems. My rationale behind writing this article is a concern about the lack of knowledge by the lay public regarding these drugs, their effects, and interactions. I also realize many of our patients do not view these products as drugs, but as nutritional products.
Many people make the assumption that anything natural can do no harm.
I am sure that each of you recall fond stories of home remedies, old wives tales, and mixtures of concoctions. History And the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine. The United States does not have a long-recorded history of herbal remedies, as do other countries. China has always been a country whose culture included the use of herbs and acupuncture. The combination of herbs and the skillful application of needles to anesthetize pain has a history of being the way to a long and healthy life.