The first medicine

Herbalism, the use of plants to treat illness, is possibly the oldest form of medicine known to man.

The naturopathic doctors at Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine combine the best of traditional European herbalism and Chinese herbalism with the most recent advances in pharmacognosy (the study of plant pharmacy), as well as an awareness of potential herb-drug interactions.

Benefits of Botanical (Herbal) Medicine

Botanical (herbal) medicines have been used for millennia in the treatment of any and all health conditions. Their effectiveness in treatment of disease has been confirmed by innumerable scientific studies. Approximately 40% of prescription medications are derived from plants, and in 80% of cases, the use of a plant as a botanical (herbal) medicine is identical to the use of the pharmaceutical derived from that plant. Plants have been confirmed to have over 124 pharmacological actions, including:

• Anti-cancer
• Antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal
• Immune system activity boosting
• Antidepressant 
• Anti-anxiety
• Sedative (insomnia reducing)
• Hormonal (increasing or lowering)
• Blood pressure lowering
• Cholesterol lowering
• Blood sugar lowering
• Laxative 
• Digestion improving
• Liver “cleansing”
• Wound healing
• Endurance/energy increasing

What to expect

Botanical (herbal) medicines may be used alone, but are usually integrated in a holistic treatment plan. Botanical (herbal) medicines can take the form of tinctures (a concentrated, liquid form of botanical [herbal] medicine used in small amounts, typically one to three teaspoons daily), standardized extracts (capsules or tablets), teas, or salves and creams.

Benefit from an effective botanical (herbal) medicine prescription is usually evident after between two to six weeks. After initial health improvements have been stimulated, doses are usually reduced to a maintenance level, with the eventual goal of complete removal of the medicine.

Naturopathic doctors are the most thoroughly trained primary health care professionals in the safe and effective use of botanical (herbal) medicines.

Botanical (Herbal) Medicine at Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

All the naturopathic doctors at Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine are trained in the safe, effective use of botanical (herbal) medicines. In addition to the training received in the course of their naturopathic medicine training, Du La, ND, Acupuncturist, and Jonah Lusis, ND have completed additional training in medical herbalism.

Our in-office and online dispensaries stock only the highest quality botanical (herbal) medicines, as evaluated by our naturopathic doctors. Our botanical (herbal) tinctures, teas, creams and salves are locally made, using organic or wild-crafted herbs wherever possible.

Botanical (herbal) medicine treatments provided at Toronto Centre for Naturopathic Medicine are covered by most extended healthcare plans.

Or contact us to arrange an appointment.

References

Plant medicines [pamphlet]. WBGH Educational Foundation; 2006.

Fabricant DS, Farnsworth NR. The value of plants used in traditional medicine for drug discovery. Environ Health Perspect [Internet]. Mar 2001 [cited 2014 Oct 22];109(Suppl 1):69–75. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240543/pdf/ehp109s-000069.pdf.

Blumenthal M, editor. The complete German Commission E monograghs: therapeutic guide to herbal medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.