October 15, 2021

Can You Swap Your Pharmaceutical for an Herbal Equivalent?

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Updated On

September 17, 2024

Now, more than ever, people are looking for ways to increase their health and decrease their toxic load. For some, this may look like swapping out their current pharmaceuticals for a more natural herbal version. But before you go dumping your prescriptions down the toilet, let me explain how herbal medicine works.

Herbal medicine, much like functional medicine works by treating the root cause; therefore, no one herbal formula is going to work the same for every patient. Single herbs can have a broad range of effects and can be used for many different purposes. Having a detailed intake with a qualified healthcare practitioner will be your best course of action for finding the proper herbs for your condition.

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Prescribing Herbal Medicine

One of the most common questions I get as an Integrative Practitioner is, "What herb can I take for my condition?" I wish it were that easy, but unfortunately, it's not. We live in a time where we are used to being prescribed a pill for an ailment. Headache? Take a pill. High blood pressure? Here's a pill. Heartburn? You guessed it, take a pill.

We are no longer taught that lifestyle, diet, and other factors can be contributing to chronic disease, and a change in these factors can also help eradicate many diseases.

When you see an Integrative or Functional Medicine practitioner, your treatment doesn't start or stop with switching out pharmaceuticals for a natural equivalent. If we did that, we would be offering the same type of treatment you are already receiving; 15-minute standard medicine while putting a band-aid on an underlying condition without addressing the root cause. Herbs and supplements are meant to supplement your treatment while you heal. They aren't meant to be used for the rest of your life.

How Herbal Medicine Works

Don't get me wrong, I am a huge believer in herbal medicine and use and prescribe it very often. But I would never exchange a patient's pharmaceutical for an herbal equivalent without addressing the underlying cause of the disease as well. So, with that said, let's talk about some positives with Herbal Medicine.

First, let me say that single herbs and herbal formulas work very well when prescribed appropriately. Currently, there are over 2,500 current research studies on Traditional Chinese Medicine proving their health benefits.

Plants can be used for many different therapeutic purposes. A great example is Hawthorn berry, Fructus Crataegi. For centuries, hawthorn berry has been used as an herbal remedy for digestive problems and high blood pressure. In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berry is one of the most commonly recommended foods to help treat high blood pressure.

Several studies show that hawthorn can act as a vasodilator, meaning it can relax constricted blood vessels, ultimately lowering blood pressure.

Sounds good, right? Let's take a look at two different human studies on High Blood Pressure and see how Hawthorne Berry worked.

Study #1

A 16-week study on 79 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure observed that those who took 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract daily had more significant blood pressure improvements than those in the placebo group.

Study #2

A similar study on 21 people with mildly elevated blood pressure noted no differences between the hawthorn-extract and placebo groups.

So, what was the difference? Why did it work for 79 people in the first study and not the 21 people in the second study? This is where proper herbal prescribing based on root cause comes into play.

Blood pressure increases for many different reasons. Stress, magnesium deficiency, kidney disease, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, inflammation, medications, and genetics are just some of the many reasons for high blood pressure.

As stated above, hawthorn berry is a vasodilator. If the patient's high blood pressure is coming from any reason other than constricted blood vessels, most likely, the hawthorn berry prescription isn't going to help them very much. It's not treating the underlying cause.

Therefore, I cannot stress enough that you need to work with an Integrative Practitioner to not only make sure you are taking the right herb for your specific ailment but also working on the underlying root cause. Based on signs, symptoms, and a proper in-depth intake, these patients may have benefited from another herb, herbal formula, or supplement alongside lifestyle adjustments to treat their high blood pressure.

Working With a Functional Medicine Practitioner

Ok, so you've made it this far and hopefully are ready to make some lifestyle changes to get off some medications. Two easy steps you can work on yourself to start your health journey are your diet and activity levels. These are going to be prescribed to you anyhow once you start seeing an integrative practitioner.

Once you have found your practitioner, you can start working with them to get an in-depth intake of your current condition. They will most likely order some functional medicine labs to find the root cause and then be able to properly wean you off your prescriptions as well as prescribe you the proper herbs for your ailment to supplement your healing journey.

Summary

Herbal medicine is not meant to be used as a direct swap for pharmaceuticals. Herbs are meant to be prescribed to help supplement your healing journey. Herbs have a broad range of effects and can be used for many different purposes, but not every herb will help everyone with the same diagnosis. This is because everyone's root cause diagnosis is different.

If you want to get off pharmaceuticals, I highly suggest working with an Integrative or Functional Medicine Practitioner. You don't have to do it alone; you don't have to guess, but you must be prepared to make a few lifestyle adjustments along the way.

Something to Keep in Mind

Healing doesn't happen overnight, but I promise if you start today, your new beginning will come a lot sooner than not starting at all. Instead of thinking of "what herb can I take for this," let's start thinking about what got us here in the first place.

If you want to learn more about functional medicine and functional medicine labs, check out our magazine loaded with articles and case studies to help everyone learn a little more about root cause medicine.

If you are a practitioner, we highly suggest you check out Rupa University that offers free live classes for Functional Medicine Practitioners.

Now, more than ever, people are looking for ways to support their health and reduce their exposure to potentially harmful substances. For some, this may involve exploring herbal options alongside their current healthcare routine. However, before making any changes to your prescribed medications, it's important to understand how herbal medicine works and consult with a healthcare provider.

Herbal medicine, similar to functional medicine, focuses on addressing the underlying factors that may contribute to health concerns. Because of this, no single herbal formula will work the same for every individual. Herbs can have a variety of effects and may be used for different purposes. A detailed consultation with a qualified healthcare practitioner is recommended to find the most suitable herbs for your personal health goals.

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Exploring Herbal Medicine

One common question I receive as an Integrative Practitioner is, "What herb can I take for my condition?" While it would be convenient if there were a simple answer, health is complex. We often rely on quick solutions, like taking a pill for a headache or other symptoms, without considering lifestyle, diet, and other factors that can influence our well-being.

Lifestyle changes, including diet and activity levels, can play a significant role in supporting overall health. When working with an Integrative or Functional Medicine practitioner, the focus is not solely on replacing pharmaceuticals with natural alternatives. Instead, the goal is to support the body's natural healing processes while addressing underlying factors. Herbs and supplements are intended to complement your health journey, not replace prescribed treatments.

Understanding Herbal Medicine

I am a strong advocate for herbal medicine and often incorporate it into my practice. However, I would not recommend replacing a patient's prescribed medication with an herbal alternative without also addressing the underlying health factors. Let's explore some potential benefits of herbal medicine.

Single herbs and herbal formulas can be effective when used appropriately. There are numerous research studies on Traditional Chinese Medicine that suggest potential health benefits.

Plants can be used for various supportive purposes. For example, hawthorn berry has been traditionally used to support digestive health and maintain healthy blood pressure levels. In traditional Chinese medicine, hawthorn berry is often recommended to help support cardiovascular health.

Some studies suggest that hawthorn may act as a vasodilator, which means it may help relax blood vessels and support healthy blood pressure levels.

Let's examine two different studies on blood pressure and hawthorn berry to understand its potential effects.

Study #1

A 16-week study involving 79 people with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure found that those who took 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract daily experienced more significant blood pressure improvements compared to the placebo group.

Study #2

Another study with 21 people who had mildly elevated blood pressure noted no significant differences between the hawthorn-extract and placebo groups.

Why did the results differ? This highlights the importance of personalized herbal recommendations based on individual health factors.

Blood pressure can be influenced by various factors, including stress, nutrient deficiencies, and other health conditions. If high blood pressure is not primarily due to constricted blood vessels, hawthorn berry may not be as effective. It's crucial to work with a healthcare provider to identify the most appropriate approach for your specific needs.

Collaborating with a Functional Medicine Practitioner

If you're considering lifestyle changes to support your health, starting with diet and activity levels can be beneficial. These are often key components of a health plan developed with an integrative practitioner.

Once you find a practitioner, they can conduct a thorough assessment of your current health status. They may recommend functional medicine labs to help identify underlying factors and guide your health journey, including any adjustments to your current medications and the use of herbs to support your overall well-being.

Summary

Herbal medicine is not intended to replace pharmaceuticals directly. Instead, herbs can be used to support your health journey. They have a range of potential effects and may be used for various purposes, but not every herb will be suitable for everyone with the same health concerns. This is because each person's health situation is unique.

If you're interested in exploring herbal options, consider working with an Integrative or Functional Medicine Practitioner. They can help guide you through the process and support you in making informed decisions about your health.

Something to Keep in Mind

Healing is a gradual process, but starting today can lead to positive changes over time. Instead of focusing solely on "what herb can I take for this," consider exploring the factors that may have contributed to your current health situation.

To learn more about functional medicine and related topics, check out our magazine, which offers articles and case studies to help you understand root cause medicine.

If you are a practitioner, we recommend exploring Rupa University, which offers free live classes for Functional Medicine Practitioners.

The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult with your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider before taking any dietary supplement or making any changes to your diet or exercise routine.