On Sat, 30 Oct 1999, J B wrote:
> It is rather sad that we have become so dependent on artificial cures, when
> the natural (ie-herbal) way is as effective, if not more so, in some or most
> cases.....the indiginous tribes had it right...
You know, there's a real problem with this hypothesis. Let's say, for
example, that I am mildly depressed. And I take St. John's Wort, which is
a plant that has properties that are said to help said depression.
Let's say, for the sake of argument, that the desired ingredient in St.
John's Wort would help my particular case of depression. However, when
I take it, not only am I getting *the* desired ingredient, I'm getting a
whole host of other biochemical reactions that will affect other,
unintended, parts of my biochemistry. And, overall, my problem may get
worse.
Where if I take a synthesized medicine, like Zoloft, I'm taking something
that has known AND LIMITED biochemical reactions. Now, it will affect my
body chemistry different than it will affect that of other people, no
question. However, it is a known quantity. The lab knows *exactly* what
that contains. Where any plant will have variable quantities of various
ingredients depending upon soil, growing time, etc.
Note that I am not anti herbal remedies. I am simply arguing that the law
of unintended consequences sabotages their purported efficacy.
People don't seem to get this. ::sigh::
--
_Deirdre * http://www.linuxcabal.net * http://www.deirdre.net
"Mars has been a tough target" -- Peter G. Neumann, Risks Digest Moderator
"That's because the Martians keep shooting things down." -- Harlan Rosenthal
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, retorting in Risks Digest 20.60
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[EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.linuxchix.org
