Herbal therapy
Herbal Medicine, the use of plants, or extracts thereof, to treat physical ailments dates back to the Bronze Age. The philosophies of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic Medicine and Western Medicine incorporate Herbal Medicine from their earliest histories.
In Western Medicine Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Galen believed that health could be maintained with the use of herbs, proper rest and diet.
The philosophy and logic of TCM can be traced back to Fusi, Huangdi, and Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing. The early use of herbals is recorded in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic.
Ayurveda is more than a medical system of healing modalities. It is a science of living that
comprehensively addresses existence by relating the life of the individual to universal principles. As with TCM, it is a holistic system that encompasses not just the treatment of disease but the creation and maintenance of health and wellness. It is at the root of most of the traditional and modern systems of medicine in the world today. Early accounts of herbal medicine can be found in the ancient Vedic text, the Rigveda.
Thus it becomes evident that herbal medicine had a strong foundation long before conventional medicine evolved. Some feel that the split between herbal and conventional medicine occurred in 1785 when William Withering discovered that the foxglove leaf could be used to treat heart failure. He isolated and purified the active components... digitoxin and dioxin.
From then on conventional medical and pharmaceutical researchers believed that the active components of plants should be extracted, purified and given in specific dosages thus ensuring safety.
Effectiveness and safety are of prime consideration when using herbal medicine.
An accurate diagnosis of the underlying pattern or symptom, which is to be treated or supported, combined with an overall evaluation of the patient, forms the basis of a safe and effective treatment. The appropriate choice of herb or herbal formulation can be based on any of a number of medical philosophies.
Any veterinarian utilizing herbs for treatment purposes should have a thorough training in the applied medical philosophy and the Materia Medica of herbs. As herbs are considered food additives, not drugs, they are not regulated by the FDA.
Because of this, the source, and formulation, of the herbal product are a major consideration.
Herbal Medicine can be especially in useful in patients with chronic conditions, where long term therapy is required and internal organs need support/nourishment. They contain active constituents that can be grouped into four major categories:
Polysaccharides... enhance the immune response to neoplasia and inhibit tumor growth. They can influence macrophages and helper T-cells in stimulating immunity and activating the complement system.
Flavonoids... have vasodilatory, antiallergy, antiplatelet aggregation, antiviral and antibacterial effects. They can form tannins which control inappropriate fluid release from cell surfaces.
Steroids... comprise a large group of compounds, including many hormones. Natural steroids have a much lower potency that their synthesized counterparts. They have anti-inflammatory, antiallergy, antispasmodic and fluid (Yin) nourishing capabilities.
Alkaloids... at low dosages they stimulate the heart and lungs, and at higher dosages they act as sedatives. In addition the have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties. They also enhance phagocytosis and leukocytosis.
Flavonoids... have vasodilatory, antiallergy, antiplatelet aggregation, antiviral and antibacterial effects. They can form tannins which control inappropriate fluid release from cell surfaces.
Steroids... comprise a large group of compounds, including many hormones. Natural steroids have a much lower potency that their synthesized counterparts. They have anti-inflammatory, antiallergy, antispasmodic and fluid (Yin) nourishing capabilities.
Alkaloids... at low dosages they stimulate the heart and lungs, and at higher dosages they act as sedatives. In addition the have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties. They also enhance phagocytosis and leukocytosis.
Herbal medicine can be used effectively on its own or in combination with Acupuncture and/or Western Medicine. If used in conjunction with Western medications or Nutraceuticals the possible drug/herb interactions must be taken into consideration. Herbal medicine should only be employed under the instruction and supervision of an appropriately trained veterinarian.
