Although herbalism is often associated with the counterculture movement of the '60s and '70s, it has a much deeper and more diverse history. Dating back to the dawn of human civilization, herbalism has been practiced across various cultures and continues to evolve today. Its roots span thousands of years, making it far more than a mere counterculture phenomenon. Let's delve into the fascinating journey of herbalism, debunking misconceptions and examining its legitimacy beyond the hippie stereotype.
Ancient Origins
Ancient civilizations, from Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt to different regions of Asia, revered the healing power of herbs and plants. Clay tablets with herbal writings dating back to 3000 BC provide evidence of its early use.
Hippocrates (~460-375 BC), who is hailed as the "father of modern medicine," revolutionized medical thinking. He emphasized logic and reason in treating various illnesses, laying the groundwork for the use of plant remedies in healing practices worldwide. The Hippocratic Corpus, a collection of texts attributed to him and his followers, documented more than 1,500 plant remedies, reflecting the ideals of early herbalism and included information on plant actions and energetics. Though authorship is disputed, these writings demonstrate the prevalent use of herbs and their remedies in ancient Greece.
Claudius Galenus (~AD 129-216), or more commonly, Galen of Pergamon, emerged as a prominent figure in the world of medicine. As a well-educated and well-traveled individual, he served as a physician to several emperors in Rome. During this time, the medicine practiced in Rome was mainly based on magic and deities. Galen's Works of Therapeutics significantly contributed to herbal medicine, emphasizing individualized treatment based on the principles of humors and qualities, building off of the teachings of Hippocrates. Galen is accredited with herbal formulating for more effective treatments, which became known as Galenic medicine.
Dioscorides (AD 40-90) was a Greek physician and botanist who is known as "the father of pharmacognosy." His encyclopedic work, De Materia Medica cataloged about 600 herbs used in medicine as well as noted their culinary uses. For nearly 2000 years, Dioscorides was regarded as the most prominent authority on plant medicine. Indeed, many herbalists still refer to his writings today.
Ibn Sina (AD 980-1037), or more commonly today, Avicenna, was the preeminent physician of the Muslim world, heralded as the "father of early modern medicine". He authored several famous works, including a five-volume medical encyclopedia The Canon of Medicine which became a standard text in many medical universities for almost 600 years. This extensive work included the contributions of Hippocrates, Galen, Dioscorides, and other physicians from around the world. Organized systematically, it covered anatomy, physiology, diagnosis, and treatment, cementing Avicenna's reputation as the "father of early modern medicine."
Nicholas Culpeper (1616-1654) was a trailblazing figure in the field of herbalism and medicine. Culpeper's primary goal was to ensure that ordinary people could take charge of their health. He organized information about various plants and their medicinal properties, making it more accessible and comprehensible for both practitioners and the general public. This systematic approach marked a crucial development in the evolution of modern pharmaceuticals, many of which have plant origins. By combining remedial care with Galenic humoral philosophy, he developed a uniquely workable system of medicine that was unconventional for his time. His book The Complete Herbal, became a trusted resource for medical advice during his time. Nicholas Culpeper's impact on herbalism and medical thinking endures to this day.
Samuel Thomson (1769-1843), a self-taught American botanist and herbalist was the founder of the alternative system known as Thomsonian Medicine, which was a practice based upon opening the paths of elimination so that toxins could be removed via physiological processes. Thomsonian medicine, alongside Native American medical traditions, gained in popularity amongst folk herbalists.
Columbia University (founded in 1767) and the College of Philadelphia, later named Perelman School of Medicine (founded in 1769), established early medical schools in America, incorporating anatomy, herbal materia medica, chemistry, and theory and practice of physic. During the 1800s, eclectic medicine emerged as a popular branch of medicine that made use of noninvasive therapies of Thomsonian medicine. The leading Eclectic Medical Institute in Ohio flourished under distinguished professors such as John Milton Scudder (1829-1894) who was highly influential on American herbalism. The Eclectic Medical Institute embraced a holistic approach, incorporating herbal remedies and noninvasive therapies in harmony with the body's natural healing properties. However, differing medical ideologies and efforts to establish uniform medical education eventually led to the decline of eclectic medicine. By 1942, the Eclectic Medical Institute closed its doors, marking the end of an era for eclectic medicine in America.
Change in the Air
Up until the mid 1800s, there was very little, if any, oversite or standardization of the medical education system in America, and as such, there was inconsistency of the quality of physicians. It only seems logical that in the name of safety, that standards and regulations would be created. Unfortunately, the creation of the American Medical Association was not based on altruistic goals. JD Rockerfeller, the oil tycoon, in an attempt to diversify the usefulness of crude oil, got into the field of pharmaceuticals. In as much, he then turned to the medical education system in American, and through his philanthropy was able to promote his desired reforms and standardization of the medical education system. In exchange for his financial support, individuals sympathetic to his viewpoints were appointed to the boards of the institutions he funded. By having his associates on the boards, Rockefeller could potentially shape the direction of medical education and research to align with his interests. This practice, sometimes referred to as "educational philanthropy," was not limited to medical schools but was a broader trend in the early 20th century when wealthy philanthropists sought to influence various aspects of higher education.
In 1908, the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching commissioned Abraham Flexner, an educator and researcher, to conduct a comprehensive survey of medical education in the United States and Canada. The resulting report, known as the Flexner Report, was published in 1910. The Flexner Report was a scathing critique of the state of medical education in the early 20th century. Flexner's research accused many medical schools of lacking proper standards, with inadequate facilities, and subpar instruction. He called for a radical restructuring of medical education to improve the quality of physicians being trained. As a result of the Flexner Report's recommendations, many medical schools, including herbal medical schools, underwent scrutiny and assessment. Schools that did not meet the new standards or were unable to comply with the necessary reforms faced challenges. Some herbal medical schools lacked the resources or infrastructure to meet the requirements set forth by the report, leading to their closure. The term "quackery" became commonplace, deriding physicians practicing outside new perceived norms, including herbalists. This led to a shift favoring pharmaceuticals, often influenced by monetary interests. Many speculate that this move was an effort to control the medical field, given that pharmaceuticals are patentable and offer significant profit potential, whereas herbs cannot be patented, making herbalism less lucrative. This marked the beginning of an onslaught against herbalism.
Pharmaceuticals vs Herbals
Let's take a closer look at both sides here. Pharmaceuticals offer the advantage of standardization, ensuring that each pill contains a precise amount of active ingredients. In contrast, herbals pose a challenge in achieving consistent standardization due to the complexity of their natural compounds. However, the misconception that herbals are inherently riskier than pharmaceuticals is not entirely accurate. While it's true that certain plants can be dangerous, most herbal medications are generally safe when used appropriately. Caution is warranted with potent herbs or low-dose preparations, but overall, they are considered safe.
Fun fact, some of our current pharmaceuticals were influenced by the healing properties of plants. Metformin was based on goat's rue, aspirin was derived from willow bark, digoxin from foxglove, ephedrine was derived from ephedra, taxols (paclitaxel and docetaxel) were derived from the yew tree, and vinca alkaloids (vinblastine, vincristine etc) were originally derived from the periwinkle plant. One big difference between herbal medicine and synthetic pharmaceuticals is the holistic approach of plant medicine, using the whole plant rather than isolating a single active compound and adding fillers. It's essential to acknowledge that our understanding of how herbs interact with the body is still not fully complete. Similarly, we don't fully comprehend the mechanisms of all pharmaceuticals. No pharmaceutical is entirely free of side effects, and the list of medications carrying black box warnings continues to grow. This doesn't mean that pharmaceuticals are inherently bad; they play a critical role in medical advancements. However, they may not always be the ideal solution for every health issue.
JD Rockefeller's influence in the American medical system shaped our present-day pill culture, where a pill is often seen as a quick fix for any problem. While the pharmaceutical industry and scientific medical research have brought undeniable benefits, their overemphasis has led us to overlook lifestyle changes as effective alternatives. Unfortunately, the undeniable greed that infiltrated our medical system due to the role of Rockefeller and Flexner in medical reform is a troubling outcome. When profit becomes a primary motive, it becomes difficult to trust that the system has our best interests at heart. Yes, pharmaceutical medications are products of rigorous scientific research, and that is great. But is it possible that there are times that greed comes ahead of safety? Maybe.
There is a common claim that herbal medications are not scientifically studied. That is easily refuted with a simple search on PubMed, search just about any common herb and you will easily see that there are studies. Are these studies equivalent to pharmaceutical studies, no, due to the complexity of the compounds in each plant, it is not possible to do equivalent studies. Given that herbs have been utilized for thousands of years, we can argue that they are indeed well studied, especially for safe, minor problems.
Resurgence
Despite the challenges faced in the past, herbalism has experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent times. As people seek alternative and complementary approaches to healthcare, herbal medicine has emerged as a promising option. Many contemporary herbalists, such as Thomas Easley and Phyllis Light, combine traditional wisdom with evidence-based practices to deliver comprehensive patient care.
The modern scientific community has also shown an interest in exploring the therapeutic potential of plant medicine. Researchers have been conducting numerous studies to understand the bioactive compounds in plants and their positive effects on human health. This growing body of scientific evidence further bolsters the legitimacy of herbalism.
Today's herbalists understand the importance of evidence-based decision-making while upholding the core principles of holistic care, and carefully selecting and formulating herbal remedies tailored to individual needs. This harmonious blending of tradition and science provides patients with effective, safe, and personalized treatments.
As the field of herbalism evolves, it continues to break free from stereotypes created by the Flexner report and carried forward to the 1960s. Herbalism can once again stand as a respected and recognized healing system. From the ancient herbalists who laid its foundation to the contemporary practitioners who embrace both tradition and modern research, herbalism's journey has been one of perseverance, adaptation, and respect.
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