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.
HERBAL HALL