i respectly disagree. When I see herbs, I see the wild west of pharmaceutical care. Not only are they poorly regulated, but vastly misunderstood, and by no means are they considered cheaper then your average co-pay.
There was an article a few years back that compared st john's wart manufacturers next to each other. Did you know that the amount varied considerably pill to pill, maker to maker. Meaning, when it says 250 mg of drug X, you may not even be getting near that amount. And if you want a product that has been tested, and is accurately putting 250 mg of drug X into their pills, you are going to be paying a boat-load for something that you considered cheaper.
lets not even get into "experts" who run these shops, they have BA in art history and have no real knowledge about pharmacology. While i am sure there are a few good owners out there, the majority are idiots and i wouldn't trust them giving me advice on a nice cologne, more less a real ailment. They do not have the proper training to give advice to customers, and to be honest, I do not even understand how its even legal without the proper diploma and license. They do not understand drug-drug interactions, or adverse events. I would not like them to diagnose or treat an ailment.
I think we are looking at the issue from different angles. I definetly agree with what you said on term of all the problems linked to the use of plants. But I am talking more about herbs use as a preventive approach. I will make my self clearer if I use some examples.
Lets say cooking with turmeric, oregano, garlic, olive oil, Argane oil, black seed...etc etc...my list is very long
those are nutrients that would boost the immune system and prevent some common health problems or even helps the person recover quicker from a benign illness.
In fact it is well documented that the low rate of certain diseases in some countries is due to their diet and the high consumption of certain plants/food/herbs. For example, the mediteranean diet is responsible for the low rate of diabetes and even cancer among its population...
However, when those plants" become" exotic then the problem is who knows what, and how much and when to take them.
I personally would not consume a plant that I am not familiar with. And I think it is easy for me to back up that holistic/naturalist way of life b/c I grow up using it.
My point still that if medical research start investigating those "exotic" treatments/diets, they might learn something new or find alternative treatments that would be cheaper, regulated and efficient for their overwhelmed patients.
I know it would be starange if a doc perscribes oregano or garlic
...but why not if it is efficient.
As I said b4, it is a very complex subject....
