pharm-hed

PHARMACOLOGY IN HERBAL MEDICINE

An Introduction by Christopher Hedley MNIMH


PHARMACOLOGY is the study of the effects of substances deemed "medicines" on the body. It tries to reduce everything to one measurable and standardized substance producing one known and repeatable effect. HERBALISM is not like that, it's holistic philosophy, looking at a person as a whole, includes looking at plants as a whole, using the whole plants for the synergistic effect of its components. So pharmacology, as practised by pharmacists, is of little use to us, but it can be used to give an idea of how some plant compounds contribute to the effect of a remedy. All green plants grow, reproduce and set seed. All contain the basic substances, which facilitate their common physiology. Chlorophyll, Carbohydrates, Fatty acids, Minerals, Enzymes and growth Hormones are used for growth, Colouring for attraction and Tannins and Resins for defence. But all plants are individuals, growing in different habitats, employing diverse strategies to meet diverse needs. To do this they make a wide range of Individual Substances, which give the plant its unique character and contribute to its healing properties. [Often these substances are named after the plant; eg. valepotriates and valerianic acid in valerian and chamazulenes in chamomile.] Such substances include; Salicylates, Saponins, Flavonoids, Alkaloids & Volatile oils.

BASIC SUBSTANCES

CARBOHYDRATES include Starches, Cellulose, Gums and Mucilage. Starches are used by the plant to store energy and we use them as a source of energy. Cellulose is used for stiffening cell walls.It provides the roughage in our food. Gums and Mucilages are used in medicine for their soothing and healing effect. Polysaccharides are also carbohydrates. There has been a lot of interest in the beneficial effects of certain polysaccharides on the Immune System- those found in Echinacea for example.
PLANT FATTY ACIDS protect the Arteries. Linoleic acid, found in evening primrose oil and in green vegetables is anti-inflammatory.
TANNINS are hardening and drying, they keep the surface of the plant strong and intact. We use them for the same purposes; strengthening and firming up the Skin, Nose lining and Digestive system.
Plants produce RESINS when they are damaged. Resins heal up wounds and are antiseptic. Myrrh is a good example.
INDIVIDUAL SUBSTANCES

SALICLYATES are found in Willows (latin name Salix). They are used for their pain killing and cooling (anti-inflammatory) actions. SAPONINS are emulsifiers. They are used in skin creams. Chickweed (Stellaria) is a good example. Some saponins have a hormone like action on the body- those found in Blue Cohosh, for example. FLAVONOIDS strengthen the circulation. They are found in Ginkgo, which is used to strengthen the circulation to the brain, thus helping failing memory. Rutin is a flavonoid found in fruits and some herbs. ALKALOIDS are the 'strongest' of plant constituents, most like drugs in their action. They include; Caffeine, Morphine and Nicotine- all substances to be treated with caution. Pharmacologists like alkaloids for their direct action, and keep a look out for them. In herbal medicine they are used only as part of the whole plant extract, where they are balanced by the other constituents.

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