HOW DOES HERBAL MEDICINE WORK?
The modern reductionist model of medicine, where it is thought that the whole can be understood by minutely examining the individual parts in isolation, places the emphasis of therapy on physiological compensation. If the immune system is under performing and frequent colds are occurring then antibiotics are given to compensate for the weakness and help the body fight infection. In contrast, holistic medicine places the emphasis on physiological support. The holistic practitioner looks for the reasons why the immune system is under performing and seeks to support the whole body is attaining optimum metabolic function so that all bodily processes and activities are improved. In extreme circumstances antibiotics, or herbal anti-microbials might be used, but they would be simply creating an opportunity or a space for the deeper healing to occur and would never be considered an end unto themselves. Ultimately the herbalist is attempting to teach the body how to function in harmony, balance
