Are Natural Medicines Safe?

   We often hear "...they are natural, therefore, they are safe..", yet you wouldn´t go into the garden and eat, for example, Deadly Nightshade (Belladonna) or Foxglove (Digitalis). However, generally speaking many of the substances used in natural medicines are not intrinsically dangerous, but it is important to remember that any substance capable of having a physiological effect on the mind or body should, as with any medicines, be treated with respect. Any dosage directions given, whether on the packaging or by the practitioner, should be followed properly.

   Alternative and complementary medicines, like orthodox medicines, are not a "cure all", but they have the potential to improve health and strengthen resistance to illness and many offer an effective, safer form of treatment than drugs.

How do natural medicines work?

   Although there is more research being conducted, most of this is geared to whether the medicine is effective in treating specific conditions. Scientists have yet to agree, for example, on how homoeopathic or anthroposophical medicines work.

   One theory, for homoeopathy, is that the answer could be found in the field of physics, especially electromagnetism, rather than through chemistry. The dilution and succussion process is said by some to imprint an energy pattern, or blueprint, of the original substance onto the dilutent used. Potentised medicines are said to act as a signal which stimulates the individual´s self-healing powers, mobilising the defence system to work on the mental, emotional and physical aspects of the patient.

   Researchers have attempted to localise it in what is called, in modern medical terminology, the immune system. It is not yet completely clear to anyone what exactly it is in us that heals disease, although demonstrations of its efficacy have been seen.

Do animals have to be used for research?

   There are techniques that can be used instead of animal experimentation to measure safety and efficacy of natural medicines, and organisations such as the Dr Hadwen Trust for Humane Research are constantly working to develop new methodology.

   The majority of manufacturers and practitioners of natural medicines (and a growing number of consumers) believe that the use of animals to test natural medicines is inappropriate and unethical. Some "flagship"trials, using patient selection, to prove the principle of homoeopathy have been undertaken over the past few years and medical outcome studies are increasingly being used to evaluate both medicines and therapies.

How do I know which therapy to choose?

   Once you have decided to try an alternative approach to health care, deciding which particular therapy to use is probably the most difficult of decisions. Knowing the options for treating particular conditions, which treatments are available or useful, what the treatment involves or what to expect when consulting the practitioner - the many questions raised can be daunting, but, if you have committed yourself to a new approach you will either know something already, however little, or absolutely nothing at all about alternative treatments. If the former, then you may already have an idea of which therapy you wish to choose, if the latter, then the best way to understand the different approaches is perhaps to check at your local library and look through some of the books on alternative treatments. Once you have short listed the approaches you would like to try, we would recommend that you contact the professional organisation representing the particular therapies and ask them for further information. From this, you should be able to decide in which direction you wish to go.