Alternative Medicine Debate: Growing and Using Your Own Herbs for Medicinal Purposes

More and more people are turning to alternative methods of dealing with health issues, whether to treat some type of ailment or as a preventive measure. As a result, people are rediscovering the ancient art of herbalism. Purchasing herbal remedies in health food stores is one option; however, since most herbs are so easy to grow, many people have decided to start growing their own herbs for medicinal purposes. While it is true that herbs can be wonderful plants and many can indeed help alleviate and even cure various ailments, everyone should remember that not all herbs are harmless plants. In fact, there are numerous herbs that can make you quite sick or even kill you. Before you start mixing up your own herbal remedies from the plants in your herb garden, there are a few things that you should always first consider.

Know your herbs.
Not all herbs are easily identifiable. In fact, you might call one plant by one name only to discover later that it is actually a totally different plant. When purchasing herbs for your herb garden, make sure that you are buying the correct herb. An herb might be called by several different common names, for example. It is best, therefore, that you walk into the nursery or greenhouse armed with the Latin name for the herb. (This also means that you should buy from a reputable nursery or greenhouse or from such a place that actually specializes in herbs.) Make sure, too, that you label the herbs in your garden so you will not go picking lavender when you actually want rosemary. In addition, plants of the same species may not even look like they are related at all. Take your time and make sure that you have the correct identification.

Do not rely on a single herbal.
Herbals are books written about -- you guessed it -- herbs. You might have a classic herbal from the 1500s sitting on your shelf, but that does not mean that it is necessarily reliable. Many herbs that were used for medicinal purposes by the ancient Greeks and Romans and later by Europeans and people in the New World have been discovered through more modern research to actually be harmful or even deadly. Comfrey is one example [see: Alternative Medicine Debate: Comfrey], which was used for centuries to treat intestinal problems; however, recent research has shown it to be a carcinogen and that it can cause liver damage. Foxglove was once used to treat coughs and epilepsy. We now know that it is extremely dangerous and can kill. When deciding what herbs to grow in your garden for medicinal purposes, consult several sources. You should also consult a certified herbalist. When in doubt, do not grow or use the herb.

Remember that the same herb can have different potencies.
I have two lavender bushes growing in my yard in two different places. Both are the same species -- English lavender. Both are about the same size. Both are growing in similar soil and receive about the same amount of sun each day. One, however, is more potent than the other. I know this, because one has more of a lavender scent than the other. Not all herbs, however, will let you know by their scent if one is more potent than another. This becomes a real problem when dealing with herbs that could potentially cause adverse side-effects or even death if more than the recommended dosage is used. (Tansy springs to mind. Some herbalists will tell you that very small doses are not harmful; however, what if you have a particularly potent tansy in your yard? How do you then determine what the correct dosage should be when you do not know how potent your plant is? Once again, the best thing to do is not use such an herb for medicinal purposes. Just let the tansy grow in your garden as an insect repellent and do not go chewing on it. [See: The Herb Tansy.]) There are plenty of other herbs that have been shown through the course of time and through extensive research to be perfectly safe. Choose these herbs for your medicinal garden instead of attempting to grow plants whose use require more expertise than you possess.

When in doubt, do not use.
Herbs can be very beneficial. I use several different types of herbs myself to treat various ills; however, I always do my homework before using any of them. I have come across some herbs that have conflicting recommendations. One resource may say that the herb is perfectly safe, while another will warn people away from it. As I have stated a few times in this article, you should refrain from using a given herb if you have any doubts.

Just because a plant is labeled an herb does not automatically make it safe for use. Before using any herbal remedy, you should first consult your primary healthcare professional and/or a certified herbalist. (Personally, I would recommend that you definitely consult a qualified and certified herbalist, because many physicians have a certain disdain when it comes to the use of herbs.)