Though not doctors,
herbal healers do need to follow the same code of ethics in regards to their healing
of people. The first rule of medicine, “First do no harm” applies to herbal
healers as well. However, since some inexperienced
herbalists think that herbs do not harm people but that “patent” medicine does,
they may unintentionally endanger their client.
Unlike allopathic
medicine, herbs do not react the same way in every person’s body. Moreover, since herbs, as a rule, are not
regulated by any government authority, a batch of herbs could be contaminated
without the herbalist’s knowledge. Also
depending on how each herb is grown, it could interact potentially ineffectively
with other herbs in a potion. Dr.
Stephen Barrett (psychiatrist) of “Quackwatch,”
writes that “Herbs in their natural state can vary greatly from batch to batch
and often contain chemicals that cause side effects but provide no benefit.” He continues, “Many herbs contain hundreds or
even thousands of chemicals that have not been completely cataloged.” Then he adds, “To make a rational decision
about an herbal product, it would be necessary to know what it contains,
whether it is safe, and whether it has been demonstrated to be as good, or
better than pharmaceutical products available for the same purpose.” An
experienced herbalist will find out the possible side effects of the various
herbs he uses. Also, he will inform his
client of any potential problems with taking a particular herb.
Furthermore, unlike
medical doctors, herbalists are not certified by a nationally recognized
board. The late Dean of Purdue
University School of Pharmacy, Varro E. Tyler observed that many herbalists
learned their craft through lore and tradition as well as being taught by other
herbalists. Dr. Tyler believed that the
safety and efficacy of herbs were not always known except through hearsay. Therefore, he urged herbalists to avail
themselves of recent studies on herbs.
Also, he advised them to keep careful records on how a specific herb
affected each of their clients.
However,
inexperienced herbalists may unconsciously apply the logical fallacy of “appeal
to antiquity” to their craft. (If it
worked in the past or believed to work in the past, it will work in the
present.) Since few records were made or
scientific trials conducted in the distant past, beginning herbalists may think
that the herbs that they use are always effective. For example, the herb Echinacea is believed
to eliminate colds. However, recent scientific
studies have demonstrated that this herb to be ineffective with colds. According to Michael Specter, “The New
Yorker” science writer, Echinacea caused a rash in children who received it
for colds.
A careful and ethical
herbalist will understand the caveats of using various herbs. To ensure the safety of her clients, she will
keep abreast of studies about herbs by scientists. The herbalist will take detailed medical
histories of her clients to determine if they have problems with any herbs. By
keeping accurate records, the herbalist can constantly assess the effectiveness
of her herbal potions. Through these
efforts, the herbalist can empower her patient to make an informed decision
about his herbal treatment.
As a patient, I have
a duty to guard my health and well-being.
Therefore my responsibility is to inform the health practitioner of my
medical history. For example, I have
mold allergies, and need to be careful of any medicines that are prescribed for
me. Since I had a brain bleed, I also need
to know if any medicines will cause blood thinning or bleeding. As a rule, when I am meeting with a health
practitioner, I give them a card with my particular medical needs. I do not use the herbalists that I personally
know, because they do not know how their herbs and the powerful brain
medications that I take will interact.
My responsibility to myself and to the healer is to inform her of anything
that will cause any adverse problems for me.
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