One of our beloved healing remedies, Echinacea has gained great popularity for treating common colds. Echinacea, also known as Purple Cone Flower has a peculiar flower in that it has a long center with many spiked pistils coming off of it and a broad reach of several flower petals. The expression of this flower, when seriously contemplated and with some imagination might remind you of irritated tissues, like a very hot, raw sore throat. That is precisely a symptom that Echinacea would relieve. However, the western model of clinical research gathers 100 people who have a cold and gives them Echinacea to try to determine if it truly works or not.

The complexity comes in with each individual experiencing a cold. Sometimes there is a runny nose with a high fever. Another patient may experience shortness of breath and coughing, while another might just have an all over cruddy feeling with a terrible headache. None of these patients would be a prime candidate for a dose of Echinacea, however all of these patients have a cold. The statements made after such a study claim that Echinacea is not effective in treating the common cold.

Another example of a traditional medicinal plant deemed unworthy was a study on healthy individuals to assess whether gingko worked to increase cognitive functioning. Gingko Biloba is a native Japanese tree with many varieties. The most common characteristic is the bi-lobed leaf that represents a fan, or with more careful observation, the two halves of the brain with many small veins throughout it. The traditional use of this plant was to increase circulation in the brain and small vessels of the body, primarily in aging individuals. The previously mentioned study was looking for improvement in already well functioning adults. Herbal medicine is much wiser in many ways than pharmaceuticals. Consuming whole plant extracts will often have a moderating effect on the area of the body that it is specific to. Therefore, it is unlikely that someone with adequately functioning brain will become significantly smarter with the use of an herb.

The use of herbs for medicine is a science as well as an art. Each plant is a living being and may not have the full characteristics of another of the same species. For example, a mullein plant growing near a waste area would not be suitable for use in treating asthma while a mullein plant grown in a healthy forest might be a curative treatment. The individuality of each plant may be as broad as the difference between each patient walking into the Doctors office in search of his or her cure. Taking the time to establish a relationship with the plant world as well as thoroughly understanding the single and combined uses of the herbs is an essential component to the art and science of herbal prescribing. Through establishing a relationship and approaching an herb with a clear and open mind, it is possible for anyone to ascertain the benefits of using herbs for medicine; however, consulting experts in the field of naturopathic medicine is always advised.

Understanding the limits of scientific exploration is an important aspect of living in the modern medical paradigm. Our current model for scientific research was developed by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, examination of natural remedies often cannot fit into their model because of the generalized approach. There are currently efforts to transform the research approach in order to develop a better understanding for the use of natural therapies and to provide better information to the general public. For more information on natural therapies research, please visit the Helfgott Research Institute.