Do herbs work? How?

Sometimes this question is asked, in bit of disbelief- Do herbs actually work to restore health and how?

The short answer is Yes, but it is subjective.

I have seen quite a few cases where people experienced recovery from their chronic conditions with herbal medications used with a dedicated Ayurvedic lifestyle. To expect herbs to work alone is not realistic.

What are herbs?

The herbs generally encompass parts of plants like leaves, roots, stem as well as extracts of plants like fruits, flowers, seeds and sap. Ayurveda recognizes many spices also as herbs. The herbs are used in various stages like fresh or dried and in various forms like juice, kalka or powder, to name a few. Herbs are also classified according to their action e.g. Deepana, Pachana, Rasayana.

How do herbs act to restore health ?

Herbs act due to a variety of pathways.

1. Natural reservoirs: Plants are living beings and like animals and humans, they grow using 3 main food sources- water and nutrinents from Earth (Kapha), Sunlight (Pitta) and Air (CO2) (Vata). Therefore, different parts of plants naturally provide us with these ingradients which make our constitution as well. Different herbs have different qualities due to various combinations of these three ingradients, offering different remedial properties for different ailments. E.g. Arjuna is great herb in heart conditions while Shatavari is excellent for many Women's health issues.
2. Multi-pronged approach: Modern drugs are designed/created to act specific to a condition. In Ayurveda, different herbal combinations are used for different conditions as per their natural functions. A typical treatment often consists of herb specific to condition, Ama (toxin) breaking formula, Deepana herb to aid Agni, Rasayana herbs for rejuvenation of the body. In some cases herbs are used to regulate the glands which control bodily functions and thereby restore health.

Proof is in pudding: As more people are using Ayurveda remedies, more they are experiencing the benefits. One such example is Turmeric- before a few years, no one had heard about it except for India where it is used as a spice and an important Ayurvedic herb. But as people have realized its benefits, turmeric tablets and lattes are now available everywhere. We hope and believe same will happen about other herbs as well, to benefit community.

Why don't herbs seem to produce quick results like modern drugs?

There are some herbs which can produce quick results as well. But sometimes the results from herbs seem to take time due to various reasons as below:

1. Toxins (Ama): For herbs to act, their action pathways need to be clear of toxins, like a car needs to a clear road to reach its destination. Toxins act like road-blocks. Evethough herbs are used to remove toxins, we keep on adding new toxins through our everyday wrong diet and lifestyle choices, adding new road-blocks and therefore delaying action of herbs.
2. Sensivity: In same way, some people get relief from half-a-tablet while some need higher dose of paracetamol for headache; different people need different quantities, qualities and types of hearbs based on their constitution, stage of their immunity and type and stage of the disease.
3. Belief: After experiencing benefits of Turmeric, it got a widespread recognition, which helped to re-establish belief in herbs. Like placebo and nocebo effects are proven for modern drugs, in the same way one needs to have belief that 'herbal treatments work'. If one takes herbs with doubt whether they work, the results will sure take time. Openness and receptivity always helps to get desired results.

Do Ayurvedic medicines made from herbs contain metals?

We at Ayusha are strongly against metals in herbal formulations.

Today we consume iron or zinc suppliments. However, to add these essential metals like Iron in herbal formulae, they are sometimes prepared in cast-iron pots and their quantities may exceed allowable limit- which is certainly not acceptable. Sometimes harmful metals like lead and arsenic have been found in herbal formulations. We think there could be couple of reasons for that.

1. The herbs prescribed in Ayurveda were originally found in mountains and forests. Now many of these are farmed to meet the demand. As industrial wastes are disposed in water-ways and in all possible ways, these harmful substances may find their ways in such farms through polluted water or land. Absolutely undesirable!
2. As demand for herbs is increasing, some non-reputable manufacturers may be using this opportunity to make and sell herbal formulations without testing facilities- again highly undesirable activity which must stop.

That's why it is important to take herbs from a reputable manufacturer who has a good experience, sophistacated testing facilities and passion for purity.

Do Ayusha practitioners prescribe herbs?

Ay Ayusha, we only prescribe herbal formulations approved by TGA.