Medicinal Plants vs. Pharmaceutical Drugs: What’s the difference?

Always make sure to consult your herbalist, pharmacist, and primary physician before taking medicinal herbs for indications, contraindications and interactions.

You don’t need all herbs or medicinal plants. Many herbs and plants treat many and the same conditions and symptoms. Since different herbs and plants grow in different areas and countries, it’s important to know that you have access to the medicinal herbs and plants that you need no matter where you live. Most of the times you already have medicinal foods and herbs in your pantry, you may just not know how to use them.

As some medicinal herbs and plants will work instantly, some will take a longer time. It’s important to develop a relationship with the medicine. Medicinal plants and pharmaceutical drugs are both valuable, but works differently. Pharmaceutical drugs target a specific action understood by pathology science while medicinal plants and herbs have more of a all-around wide range of effects on your physiological system. Herbs will work more like a food. You want to use it as a food, for prevention and as soon as you start to feel a symptom or see a sign so what you’re treating will less and less make an appearance and eventually cease. Our body have what it needs to support and heal itself given the right conditions. Medicinal herbs and plants work in a way that support the body’s own healing processes.

Some I love having in my garden or apothecary:

- Aloe for burns & to soothe
- Ashwaganda great adaptogen
- Basil for anti-oxidants
- Cayenne Pepper for blood circulation
- Chamomile sedative, for relaxation & sleep
- Echinacea for colds, immune boost
- Garlic for a natural antibiotic & prebiotic
- Ginger for nausea & digestion
- Lavender for relaxation & sleep
- Lemon Balm for anxiety
- Licorice Root for digestive issues, ulcers, aches, sore throat, adrenal fatigue
- Mullein for cough, mucus, respiratory aid
- Nettle for liver support and to cleanse
- Peppermint for headache, fever, nausea
- Plantain for healing wounds & drawing out debris
- Raspberry Leaf for anti-inflammatory, hormones, PMS
- Tea Tree Oil amazing antiviral and antifungal properties
- Yarrow for emergency bleeds

This information is not medical advice and is not a direct consult and should not be taken as such.