Advocates of standardized herbs are usually academics with little clinical experience with herbs or researchers whose work is funded by companies that manufacture standardized products. Traditional herbalists seldom used standardized products for a variety of reasons. First, standard extracts tend to be more expensive. Second, there is little evidence that they are more effective than the whole herb. Finally, many herbalists reject the pharmaceutical model of health care, which involves costly production techniques and capital investment to make a standardized extract.
Standardized herbs play a role in the drug model of herbal medicine.
However, traditional herbalists will continue to recommend herbs in their more natural state, which may include water and alcohol extracts and teas and pills that have not been standardized. The purpose of this article is not to condemn standardized herbs. It may be a good idea to remember that this type of herbal preparation is just one of many forms. If you have any questions about the issues in this article, please contact me at the address below. To submit a seminar for inclusion in the printed version of the AcupunctureToday Calendar, Click Here .