There are no regulations (with respect to trials, standardized dosing) on herbs which truly constitute "drugs" (where do you think aspirin, penicillin, -conazoles, foxglove/digitalis came from). Every year people die from herbs. Ever hear of chinese herb nephropathy, or fulminant liver failure from Kava and this other crap? Why do people listen to these Quacks?
2006-12-21 12:34:16 · 9 answers · asked by guts7575 2 in Health ➔ Alternative Medicine
Honestly, I think for many people it is either a lack of insurance or the lack of an insurance company with a decent prescription plan.
I also think that some people are so narcissistic that they don't want to do anything that they did not dream up themselves. Ya know, like the person who always refuses good advice.
2006-12-21 12:43:03 · answer #1 · answered by Buttercup Rocks! 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
There are probably a lot of people that believe these "quacks" have more intelligence than most of the real MDs practicing now. There is definately something to the herbal remedies which are cheaper and easier to come by for those with financial difficulties. The danger is not in the herbs themselves. It's the user and lack of education about correct administration of said herbs. If you look at the statistics though, just as many people die every year from actual medical care/medication as they do from herbal remedies. As for the nephropathy and liver failure, diseases such as these are caused most often by simply eating a particular diet (mainly not healthy).
2006-12-21 20:46:58 · answer #2 · answered by rhainnedroppe 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
2 points - First, homeopathy is not about taking herbs - it is based on the belief of treating illness with extremely diluted agents that, in undiluted doses, produce similar symptoms in the healthy. It is believed that contrary to conventional medicine the more dilute the remedy, the more powerful it is - I know, I know, sounds a bit odd. But lots of people swear by it so who am I to judge.
Second - yes some herbs can be harmful - just because something is natural doesn't mean it can't hurt you. But so can regular medicine - even when subject to trials. There are thousands of deaths worldwide per year from side effects of conventional drugs, and that's not including medical or prescribing errors!
The most important thing is that irrespective of whether you are taking conventional medicine or alternative medicine that you make sure you get advice from a qualified person and that you don't try to self-prescribe. Also if you are taking multiple meds or seeing more that one health practitioner, be open & honest to all about what you are doing/taking so you can avoid meds that clash with one another, and reduce the risk of something going wrong.
2006-12-21 21:20:04 · answer #3 · answered by essence_of_wellbeing 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I no longer take chemical drugs, and I can tell you from firsthand experience that ingesting chemicals are much more dangerous than herbs. Second, drug safety studies are done on literally 100 people, and because the drug makers fund the study, anything they don't like is dismissed (Vioxx anyone?) Kava Kava has been used for literally centuries, so I find it hard to believe that suddenly it's causing liver problem- hello?? A bad diet and booze cause liver problems!
Google "drugs removed from market" and you'll see how deadly these formerly safety "approved" drugs are. There are too many to list here. PAXIL has given to pregnant women for 10 years before GSK admitted that it causes birth defects.
You should investigate how these drug pushers pay for their clinical studies at private offices, how much money is given to Washington, how they lobby for their own interests before you start calling herbalists quacks.
You are wrong: herbs have been tested over the last 1000 years and have stood the test of time.
2006-12-21 20:54:42 · answer #4 · answered by Sabine É 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
It's funny how people are willing to refuse treatments that have been proved over thousands of years and are so willing to put their trust in a synthesized prescription that has only been around for 20. The medical community can not be held higher than these people for the simple fact that Blue Cross Blue Shield Insurance stated that 50% of prescriptions should not be prescribed. This is due to the fact that the symptoms are not sufficient enough to prescribe or that the patient simply does not meet the specifications. That and most scientists are funded by pharmaceutical companies and their is so much bias in their research. I'd suggest doing your own research and filtering through YOUR own feces.
2006-12-21 22:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by Poohbearsall 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Homeopathic remedies rarely contain a single molecule of the original diluted substance, they are highly energised and focused medicines. So whether that is a herb like cannabis (which we use primarily for urinary complaints) or snake venom or opium, imbibing an entire medicine chest full of homeopathic remedies could not affect you in a material way. No one could die from a homeopathic remedy. Let me point out, however, that iatrogenic (doctor caused) issues are the third largest cause of death in the US.
2006-12-21 23:58:43 · answer #6 · answered by Trader S 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Look at all of the deaths caused from all of the antidepressants and diet pills that were FDA approved at one time. I am not saying you shouldnt be careful with these herbs but you have to be just as careful with the meds prescribed by the dr. I myself would rather use a God made med(herbs) rather than a man made med.
2006-12-21 23:22:52 · answer #7 · answered by angelk 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to research how many people die from homeopathic remedies compared to how many die from prescription drug use. Herbs have been used for thousands of years. YOu also need to research how doctors are given financial incentives to push prescription drugs.
2006-12-21 20:45:08 · answer #8 · answered by marlenekay4 6 · 5⤊ 0⤋
because we want a magic pill from nature!!! which is what aspirin, penicillin, etc actually are LOL
2006-12-21 20:43:02 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋