Herbal Medications: What Works

Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier - The Best Alternative Medicine

Corporate Health Improvement Program (C H I P)

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While herbs are not the most frequently used alternative medicine, they are among the most controversial and problematic because of their increasingly widespread use, lack of quality control and standardization, as well as the potential for severe and even fatal side effects. For these reasons, it is essential to underscore that before using any herbal, it is imperative that an individual be aware of general cautions, such as abstaining from herbs during pregnancy; specific applications and cautions for a particular herb; and always working with a clinician experienced in the appropriate use of herbal interventions.

It is always advisable to use herbals with the oversight and monitoring of a clinician trained in herbal medicine. Herbs are potent and need to be used appropriately and judiciously.

Perhaps one of the most important and overlooked properties of herbs and complex herbal formulas is that they are "adaptogenic" or have the effect of normalizing body functions. If a level is too high, it is lowered, or if it is too low, it is raised. Essentially, herbs and MindBody interventions derive much of their impact from restoring the body's natural state of homeostasis or harmonic balance.

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From THE BEST ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE: WHAT WORKS? WHAT DOES NOT? by Dr. Kenneth R. Pelletier.

Reprinted by permission of Simon & Schuster, Inc., New York, New York.

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