Why Herbs?

For over 4,000 years, plants have been used as primary sources of medicine in every civilization. People who understood how to heal others with them were among the most important in their community.

While times have changed and we have faster-acting medications, why do herbs still matter? Here’s what you need to know:

What are herbs?

The botanical definition of an herb is any seed-bearing plant that does not have a woody stem and dies after flowering.

In traditional herbal medicine (Western herbalism, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and Ayurveda, the term "herbs" refers to plants or parts of them, including grasses, flowers, berries, seeds, leaves, nuts, stems, stalks, and roots used for therapeutic and health-enhancing properties.

What are herbal remedies?

Herbal remedies are plant-based formulations to help the body return to a state of balance to heal itself naturally. Whole plants and parts are prepared in precise ways to correct the underlying condition, not just the symptoms, to maintain and restore health and vitality.

Are herbs safe?

When safe herbs are taken in appropriate dosages, they are safer than modern medicines. According to the article, “Herbal versus Synthetic Drugs; Beliefs and Facts,” published in 2015 in the Journal of Nephropharmacology, “about 8% of hospital admissions in the United States of America are due to adverse or side effects of synthetic drugs. Approximately 100,000 people each year die due to these toxicities. It means that the killed people in the U.S. by pharmaceutical drugs are at least three times more than those killed by drunken drivers. Each year, thousands also die from supposedly “safe” over-the-counter drugs. Deaths or hospitalizations due to herbs are so rare that they are hard to find. Even the National Poison Control Centers of the United States does not have a category in their database for side or adverse reactions to herbs.”

How is herbal medicine different from modern medicines?

Medicinal herbs have active compounds that have been studied and isolated to create modern pharmaceutical drugs. For example, aspirin was derived from willow bark and morphine from the opium poppy. However, the parts of the plant that aren’t included contain essential nutrients and other beneficial substances that help prevent side effects. As a result, herbs that are properly identified, cultivated, and administered have been proven to be safer than other medicines.

Are herbs effective?

If effective is defined by the results of randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind clinical trials, then, for the most part, the answer is no. There are some herbs such as chamomile, ginseng, goldenseal, and dozens of others that have been proven to be effective for specific uses. However, these studies are narrow in scope, lengthy, and expensive. Typically they are paid for by multinational companies and because you can’t patent an herb, there isn’t a financial incentive to do more scientific research.  

If effectiveness is defined by the results of randomized, placebo-controlled, and double-blind clinical trials, then the answer is no. Some herbs, such as chamomile, ginseng, and goldenseal, have been proven effective for specific uses. However, these studies are narrow in scope, lengthy, and expensive. Typically, they are paid for by corporations, and because you can't patent an herb, there isn't a financial incentive to do more scientific research.

If effectiveness is defined by historical use across cultures, then they are very effective. Using plant medicine (traditional medicine) was the difference between life and death for centuries. In fact, most of the world still relies on this traditional medicine. Even in industrialized countries, folk remedies still treat illnesses every day. According to the National Institute of Biotechnology Information, an estimated 70% of all medical doctors in France and Germany regularly prescribe herbal medicine, and approximately 80% of the world population uses herbs, with rates as high as 95% in developing countries. In China, traditional herbal medicine amounts to about 30-50% of the total drug consumption.

In fact, according to the Ministry of Science and Technology in China, more than 85% of all coronavirus patients in China -- about 60,000 people -- had received herbal remedies alongside mainstream antiviral drugs.

Finally, if effectiveness is defined by you, your family, or your friend's experience, then the answer is most likely yes. Whether using peppermint or ginger to ease an upset stomach, eucalyptus to break up chest congestion (think Vicks vapor rub), or something lavender-scented to sleep, you've experienced or heard about the incredible health benefits of plants.

We’ve been amazed by herbs time and time again, so we’re excited to share them with you.

Kim Violet is a mom, wife, herbalist, and the founder of Eden's Leaves, an herbal products company with medicinal blends for immunity and emotional health. She studies, writes, and teaches about herbal medicine. Kim is also the founder of Simply Brilliant, a consulting practice for organizations creating the world we want to leave for our great-grandchildren.