Herbal Medicine: Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science

Herbal Medicine Where Ancient Wisdom Meets Modern Science 750 X 452

Time and again we have always turned towards Mother Nature for its amazing plant resources with bountiful medicinal properties, harnessing their therapeutic potential to treat various ailments. This traditional knowledge is passed down through generations and with the advancements of modern scientific research, a new genre of medicine arose- Herbal Medicine.Countries with ancient civilizations like India, China, South America, and Egypt are using several plant-based remedies for treating ailments, and it is so culturally rooted and followed by many as the tradition to date.Herbal, botanical, or phytomedicine uses medicinal plants to prevent and treat diseases using herbal extracts from seeds, berries, roots, leaves, bark, or flowers. These compounds have specific biological activities that can exert medicinal effects on the body.According to the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012394591400009X" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012394591400009X">World Health Organization (WHO)</a>, herbal medicine includes "herbs, herbal materials, herbal preparations, and finished herbal products, that contain active ingredient parts of plants or other plant materials or combinations thereof"(Robinson and Zhang, 2011).A wide variety of herbal medicines are readily available in the market worldwide. Famous among them are Curcuma longa extracts or purified fractions thereof, like curcumin (one important bioactive component of the group of curcuminoids in turmeric), which has potential anti-inflammatory properties. A number of in vivo studies and clinical trials demonstrated the chemopreventive properties of curcuminoids, namely decreasing the incidence of several types of cancer.Many of us might have used it as a supplement as it was all over or “trending” in the healthcare sector. A full spectrum extract of either Curcuma longa (Curcuma domestica) or Curcuma xanthorrhiza (Temoe lawak) reflecting the broad spectrum of healthy benefits of the original drugs, would also contain the essential oil displaying choleretic, cholekinetic, and secretory properties both of the liver, gall bladder and the pancreas.Let us now delve more into the world of herbal medicines. Read on!<h2>The power of plant-based herbal remedies</h2>Traditional medical systems (TMS) were the primary medical systems prevalent in different cultures. They identified plants and their preparations as juices, decoction (historically first in water, later in special cases in milk, later in wine) or pills, (prepared from powdered plant materials) and topical ailments that alleviate certain symptoms or treat specific conditions.It was primarily used for the health maintenance; prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of various illnesses. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012814619400001X" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B978012814619400001X">Plant-based drugs are reported to be successfully used to cure skin diseases, tuberculosis, diabetes, jaundice, hypertension, mental disorders, cancer, AIDS, and many other infectious diseases.</a><figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:876/500;" src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/The-power-of-plant-based-herbal-remedies-876-x-500.webp" width="876" height="500"></figure>Although natural products are considered safe, they can still cause adverse reactions. The lack of information regarding their chemical constituents and extraction technique makes it hard to determine their effectiveness and safety as they may contain a mixture of bioactive compounds.Also, the consumers don’t have a reference to the safe tolerated dosage, leading to severe health problems. These therapies lack evidence for their efficacy and are often based on philosophic, religious, and sociocultural theories. Therefore, it is essential to test these formulations for efficacy using conventional trial methodology.<h2>The science behind effective herbal medicines</h2>Plants contain various chemical compounds, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, phenolics, etc., that can have medicinal effects, including anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, expectorant, antispasmodic, calming or immunostimulatory properties.The basic science behind effective herbal medicine involves understanding the bioactive compounds present in plants and how they interact with the human body to promote health or treat diseases. Also, the bioavailability of herbal compounds depends on their chemical structure, solubility, and metabolism. It is further important to be aware that beside compounds or compound groups which are directly responsible for the effectivity of a plant, other acompanying compounds can influence the absorption from the intestinal tract, the stability of main actives and the time of elimination (ADME: absorption distribution, metabolisation and elimation).<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:876/500;" src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/The-science-behind-effective-herbal-medicines-876x500.webp" width="876" height="500"></figure>Practitioners understand how these bioactive compounds interact with the body's cells, tissues, and systems and believe that <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1116847/#:~:text=Practitioners%20say%20that%20the%20principles,is%20generally%20avoided%20whenever%20possible." target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1116847/#:~:text=Practitioners%20say%20that%20the%20principles,is%20generally%20avoided%20whenever%20possible.">combining herbs improves efficacy and reduces adverse effects, following the principles of synergy and buffering</a>. They also pay particular attention to <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1116847/#:~:text=Practitioners%20say%20that%20the%20principles,is%20generally%20avoided%20whenever%20possible." target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1116847/#:~:text=Practitioners%20say%20that%20the%20principles,is%20generally%20avoided%20whenever%20possible.">everyday processes like appetite, digestion, urination, defecation, and sleep, and focus on enhancing the patient's diet and lifestyle factors like exercise and emotional issues</a>.Modern scientific research supports effective herbal medicines by preclinical studies (in vitro and animal studies), clinical trials, and experiments to validate the safety and efficacy of herbal remedies. Quality control is another key aspect to ensure the safety and efficacy of herbal medicines. This includes standardization of plant extracts, identifying and quantifying bioactive compounds, and adherence to good manufacturing practices.By integrating these principles, researchers develop evidence-based herbal medicines that offer safe and effective alternatives or complements to conventional pharmaceuticals.<h2>Whole herb vs isolates: Considerations in herbal medicine formulation</h2>The common query in herbal medicine practice is whether to use the full herb for the extraction and to waive of further purification or to only extract the active compound and make the formulation. The choice between using whole herbs or full spectrum preparations versus isolates depends on various factors, including the specific health condition being treated, the availability of scientific evidence, traditional practices, safety considerations, and individual preferences.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:876/500;" src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/Whole-herb-vs-isolates-Considerations-in-herbal-medicine-formulation-876x500.webp" width="876" height="500"></figure>A example how riskfull it could be if single compounds are isolated and used instead of the whole herb is green tea (Camelia sinensis): in the first half of the 20th century scientists focussed of the alcaloid coffeine (which you also find in coffee beans, cola nut, mate leafs). While isolating pure coffeine, compounds with enormous benefits for the human body got lost, for example the Epicatechin derivatives.However, isolating every active ingredient is challenging as the time and resources required for this extraction are humungous. The practitioners have a decisive role here. In most cases, they leverage the synergistic effects of whole plants while also harnessing the targeted effects of individual compounds.<h3>The usage of the full herb</h3>Using the full herb in herbal medicine involves utilizing the entire plant or plant part, including leaves, roots, stems, flowers, and seeds, rather than isolating specific compounds. It contains a <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3887317/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3887317/">combination of various constituents, which are believed or already scientifically shown to work together synergistically</a>.It is traditionally believed such as in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda, that the therapeutic benefits of herbs are derived from the full spectrum of compounds present in them. The additional compounds in the herb could minimize the possible adverse effects of isolated compounds.<h3>Isolates or focus on one ingredient</h3>The full-spectrum or broad-spectrum extracts or isolates have a mix of compounds that are closer to what naturally occurs in the plant. The process of obtaining quality bioactive molecules or botanical isolates involves various stages, including<a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7398001/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7398001/"> selecting an appropriate solvent, extraction methods, phytochemical screening procedures, fractionation methods, and identification techniques</a>. However, these extraction processes are often expensive, time-consuming, and cumbersome.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:876/500;" src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/Isolates-or-focus-on-one-ingredient-876x500.webp" width="876" height="500"></figure>Isolating specific compounds or extracting the ‘pure isolates’ from herbs ensures specific potency, accurate dosing, and development of pharmaceutical drugs, nutraceutical products, and targeted therapies and in research and documentation of the herbs' mechanism of action. It standardizes the delivery of active herbal and botanical ingredients in the products. It may also reduce the risk of adverse effects associated with other compounds in the herb.However, focusing on one ingredient may lead to the loss of potential synergistic effects in the whole herb, reducing overall efficacy. Additionally, some isolated compounds may interact with medications or have side effects. A healthcare professional can ensure the safe and effective use of herbal remedies.<h2>Why are they like an orchestra? Do they only work as a whole?</h2>An ‘orchestra’ is a group of musicians playing instruments together, producing a symphony or harmonious music. Herbal medicines are also like an orchestra, where one or more active ingredients are combined to produce a synergistic effect that benefits the body, protecting it from various illnesses.<a href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/herbal-medicine" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-mce-href="https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/herbal-medicine">According to herbal medicine practitioners, the effect of the whole plant is greater than its parts</a>. They believe that an active ingredient can lose its impact or become less safe if used in isolation from the rest of the plant. Let us understand more about the example below.Salicylic acid was first found in willow bark, a medicinal plant part used to treat fever, different types of inflammation, and pain for hundreds of years. Meadowsweet, wintergreen, and poplar are further plants containing salicylic acid derivatives.<figure class="image"><img style="aspect-ratio:876/500;" src="https://media.megawecare.com/GHBY/Internal-Images/Why-are-the-like-an-orchestra-Do-they-only-work-as-a-whole-876x500.webp" width="876" height="500"></figure>Around a hundred years ago, salicylic acid was used for synthesizing aspirin® and (acetylsalicylic acid). Aspirin® can cause an adverse effect- stomach lining bleeding. Salicylic acid and derivatives can cause the same side effect, but whole herbs or non-purified extracts contain other antiphlogistic and antioxydative compounds that potentiate the desired therapeutic effects without the adverse effect. Therefore, lower amounts of salicylic acid are necessary, leading to less irritation from salicylic acid.Nature’s marvel, isn’t it? Due to this, herbal practitioners believe in the effect of the whole plant as medicine, as the synergy of compounds offers a more holistic and balanced approach to healing.Example: Plants of the Lamiaceae family (mint family) are excellent in combatting cough and could. The main responsible compounds are on the one side essential oils with bactericidal, secretolytic and antispasmodic properties acting mainly in the lung.But that’s only half of the story: Another important compound group are for this plant family specific ingredients the Lamiaceae polyphenols (rosmarinic acide etc) displaying strong antioxydative and antiinflammatory effects, very wellcomein the inflammated mouth and pharynx room.Some compounds in the plant might amplify the effects of others, modulate their absorption and elimination, or counteract potential side effects when used together to create a therapeutic effect. Herbal medicine is about holistic wellness, which addresses symptoms and the underlying imbalances or root causes.For example, garlic is known to reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering cholesterol levels. Several studies have demonstrated that garlic is an example of a natural drug addressing numerous diseases like an orchestra that keeps the body healthy, devoid of infections, and susceptible to illnesses.But does that mean they work only as a whole? Not necessarily. Modern science also explores and acknowledges the efficacy of isolated compounds in certain contexts. One important biologically active ingredient of garlic (allicin) and its derivatives have significant nutritional effects and medicinal uses like antibacterial, fungicidal, and antiviral action. Practitioners may prescribe an appropriate extract by evaluating the health condition, available scientific evidence, and individual response.<h2>Wrapping up</h2>Herbal medicine stands at the unique intersection of ancient traditions and modern science, offering a diverse range of remedies rooted in nature. Whether opting for the holistic synergy of whole plants or the targeted precision of isolated compounds, herbal treatments provide a path toward enhanced wellness. However, as with any form of medicine, it is important to approach herbal remedies with care, guided by informed decisions, scientific evidence, and professional advice.By understanding the power of plant-based healing and integrating it wisely into our lives, we can embrace a more balanced, natural approach to health that nurtures both body and mind. Whether you're seeking to alleviate specific conditions or maintain overall well-being, herbal medicine offers a wealth of potential in the ongoing pursuit of optimal health.