Herbal Medicine: Relevant in Modern Times Despite Modern Advances - Essay Sample

Introduction

Herbal or traditional medicine has continually been relevant in modern times despite the advancement and effectiveness of modern medicine. For thousands of years, herbal and animal-derived remedies have been used to treat ailments effectively, and the knowledge on such solutions has been passed down from generations to generations. In regions like Asia, Africa, Latin America as well as some parts of the Middle East, the majority of populations still use traditional or herbal medicine for primary healthcare. Research has also found that about 100 million people in some European countries use complementary, conventional, or herbal medicine (Ngarivhume et al. 224). In fact, in some of these countries, up to 90 percent of the population uses traditional medicine to treat stress-related psychological ailments, chronic diseases, self-esteem, or anxiety (Rinaldi, and Shetty, par. 2). The diseases treatable using traditional medication is vast, including but not limited to ulcers, bronchial disorders, as well as skin problems. It is reported that the Chinese herbal medicine sold for a record $83 billion in 2012, which is 20 percent more than it did the previous year. It is, therefore, more sensible to agree with the estimates that by 2020, the global market for all traditional or herbal supplements could reach $115 billion (Rinaldi, and Shetty, par. 3). Since Europe and the Asia-pacific regions are the primary and fastest-growing markets for herbal remedies, it is prudent to say the relevance of herbal medicine has gained grounds due to certain advantages. This paper presents the significance and the future of herbal supplements in the modern times.

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Herbal medicine is preferred mostly by women consumers because of dietary supplements. The health needs and the growing consciousness on healthy living have driven people to seek for traditional herbs over modern drugs. Of great concern also, have been the undesirable side-effects of mainstream modern medication. According to some research, 25 percent of patients admitted in the internal medicine wards take some form of traditional or dietary supplements (Ngarivhume et al. 228). While most medical teams have been found to overlook the conventional medication usage by their patients, they later realize in some way that specific side effects occur (Vickers, and Zollman 126). On further diagnosis, they find that certain adverse effects are present due to the interactions between the herbs used by the patient and the modern drugs used to treat the patient (Goldstein et al. 373). One of the reasons why medical teams ignore the usage of traditional herbs is because of their lack of knowledge in conventional medicine. Second, western-trained physicians are not aware of the consistency or compositions of herbal drugs. Some physicians fail to ask their patients about these forms of remedies (Goldstein et al., 377). About 48 different herbal supplements have been used for various reasons, including general wellbeing, constipation, urinary tract diseases, mood, ischemic heart diseases, and as multivitamins (Ngarivhume et al. 224). The recommendations to use these drugs come from different groups of people with the majority being family doctors and friends.

The limitations of modern medicine have led some medical practitioners to turn to traditional medicine. Medical scientists have outlined various underpinnings of modern medicine ranging from effectiveness, idiosyncratic response to medication by each patient, and adverse side effects. For these reasons, advanced allopathic medical practitioners have accommodated the idea of the usage of traditional medicine, although modern medication is touted as the most effective (Vickers, and Zollman 125). They have turned to other traditional health systems like Ayurveda, whose effectiveness has stood the test of time in healing. Based on the idea of perfect health, the Ayurveda has been around for more than 5000 years (Chaudhary, and Singh 20). According to this system, the uniqueness of every individual is equivalent to their expression of consciousness. Known as prakruti, this concept if not found or known in modern medicine. Modern medicine also recognizes that treatments are founded on statistical observations of groups of people, and the levels of normality. Some drugs work on people well while others fail to do so. An example to consider in this case is the antihypertensive drugs which work differently on each individual. The same applies to traditional medicine (Chaudhary, and Singh 20).

Mainstream medicine has hurdles, for which traditional medicine come handy. Modern medicine requires alternative treatment sources. Numerous drugs take years to pass the research and development phase and at huge costs (Vickers, and Zollman 128).). Also, due to the misuse of drugs, the increasing cases of drug resistance have rendered numerous antibiotics as well as other lifesaving medications ineffective. For such reasons, medical scientists, as well as pharmaceutical companies, have resorted to traditional medicine to in a bid find new sources of drugs. Some notable successes, such as the case of artemisinin used in the treatment of malaria, have sparked more interest in this venture. Ethnobotanical studies in South Africa have led to the discovery of a compound that has the potential to be used as a single-dose malaria cure (Ngarivhume et al. 225). In Zimbabwe, researchers have documented 28 herbs that the locals successfully use to manage malaria ((Ngarivhume et al. 225). This means that traditional medicine is becoming more relevant.

There is no doubt that modern medicine is superior because of the science involved in medicinal research and the magnitude of success or medical breakthroughs that have been experienced as a result of it (Goldstein et al. 375). It is called traditional medicine because it lacks modern scientific applications. Modern medicine, unlike its traditional counterpart, has made it possible to cure ailments like chickenpox, which could not be treated by traditional herbs. The advancement of technology, its application, and manufacture of allopathic medicine has made modern medicine be considered more effective than traditional medicine (Ngarivhume et al. 229). However, the relevance of traditional medicine cannot be overlooked as numerous works of medical literature exist outlining its effectiveness in the treatment of a series of diseases.

Conclusion

In conclusion, herbal medicine has been used for thousands of years in various parts of the world, including Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa, and some parts of Europe. The vast knowledge and use of traditional herbs in these regions have made traditional healers to be trusted. The holistic approach, naturopathy, Ayurveda, and much more, are some of the medical systems utilized in the traditional methods of healing. Various reasons exist, and rightly so, why some individuals prefer traditional medication over the modern type. Some of these reasons include the undesirable side effects, limitations of allopathic medicine, recommendations, readiness or availability, and in some cases, cost. While it can be argued that modern medicine is more advanced than herbal medicine, various bodies of medical research have shown that the latter has considerable advantages over the former. Because of such merits, traditional medicine is now increasingly being recognized by numerous medical schools. An all-round modern doctor ought to know about both traditional and modern medicine to have a broader perspective with which they can understand and approach the treatment of various types of ailments. Medical and pharmaceutical companies are also increasingly venturing into the manufacture of natural remedies further underlining the relevance of traditional medicine. It is therefore of great importance not to ignore either type but use them to complement each other to achieve complete wellness. This understanding means that the future of traditional medicine is still bright and will be significantly involved in any medical progress in the years to come.

Works Cited

Goldstein, Lee H., et al. "Consumption of Herbal Remedies and Dietary Supplements amongst Patients Hospitalized In Medical Wards." British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, Vol 64, no. 3, 2007, pp. 373-380. Wiley, doi:10.1111/j.1365-2125.2007.02878.x. Accessed 3 Aug 2019.

Chaudhary, Anand, and Neetu Singh. "Intellectual Property Rights and Patents In Perspective Of Ayurveda". AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), vol 33, no. 1, 2012, p. 20. Medknow, doi:10.4103/0974-8520.100298. Accessed 4 Aug 2019.

Ngarivhume, Talkmore et al. "Medicinal Plants Used By Traditional Healers for the Treatment of Malaria in the Chipinge District in Zimbabwe." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol 159, 2015, pp. 224-237. Elsevier BV, doi:10.1016/j.jep.2014.11.011.

Rinaldi, Andrea, and Priya Shetty. "Traditional Medicine for Modern Times: Facts And Figures." Scidev.Net, 2015, https://www.scidev.net/global/medicine/feature/traditional-medicine-modern-times-facts-figures.html.

Vickers, Andrew, and Catherine Zollman. "Herbal Medicine". Western Journal of Medicine, vol 175, no. 2, 2001, pp. 125-128. BMJ, doi:10.1136/ewjm.175.2.125. Accessed 3 Aug 2019.