Phytotherapy Through The Glass of Illusions

It is common knowledge "phytotherapy" (from Greek "phyton" plant and "therapy" treatment) is treatment by means of herbs. By the 19th century phytotherapy had remained the major treating method and herbs were nearly the only source of medications. However, the 19th century brought changes into the use of herbs. The preference was given to herbal extracts and separate substances. Plants lost their uniqueness and became the source of some individual substances. The chemists elaborated the methods of synthesizing the biological substances and began the epoch of synthetic medications. And the herbs lost their popularity for a while. Easy use, rapid effect, influence on human organism, prognosed and regulated by precise dosing led to total, uncontrolled and very often unjustified use of the synthetic medications. It later resulted in spread of chemical diseases, allergies. But constant search for sparing, "mild" treating methods conditioned the return to phytotherapy by the end of the 20th century. Nevertheless, it doesn't mean that herbs are absolutely safe. Careless attitude to herbs can result in the harm, caused by chemical medications. It is just a qualified specialist who is supposed to make a correct diagnosis and work out the treating tactics.

In our practice we often come across a number of curious and dramatic cases concerning people's wrong ideas about herbs and their healing qualities.

One of the myths is that herbs cannot cause any harm. In one of our medical cases the woman had been experiencing a consistent cough and just cicatrized duodenum ulcer with high acidity. Her friend advised her to drink some thyme tea as it helped her when she had cough. The first lady followed her advice and very soon she felt heartburn and discomfort in the stomach. Thyme turned out to provoke the acute condition of duodenum ulcer.

Sometimes the sick people who have given way to despair due to the ineffective treatment are offered one miraculous herb and assured of its effect. We are constantly asked: "Have you this "all-curing herb?" And they tell about numerous unique qualities of this herb.

Once the female patient was brought to us. The disease had too far gone and she felt too badly. We were much surprised having learnt that she called us two months ago, but did not come to see us. Her condition was relatively satisfactory that time. As it turned out she was advised to take "herb for cancer" and assured that it would definitely help. Unfortunately, she just lost time and when we had seen her