DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAL DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINEMEDICINE

SHUBHAM SINHA

GROUP - 2

DEVELOPMENT OF HERBAL MEDICINE

Early 19Early 19thth Century Century

• From the earliest times, medicinal plants have From the earliest times, medicinal plants have been crucial in sustaining health & well-being of been crucial in sustaining health & well-being of humanshumans

• E.g. E.g. Linum ussitassimumLinum ussitassimum• Magical abilities & medicinal benefitMagical abilities & medicinal benefit• XX cultures: plants “souls” cultures: plants “souls”

• Aristotle: Plant “Psyche”Aristotle: Plant “Psyche”• Suggestive of an innate plant intelligence?Suggestive of an innate plant intelligence?• (in Western Culture, belief of plant spirits survived (in Western Culture, belief of plant spirits survived

until first half of the 20until first half of the 20thth century – Elder & Cocoa) century – Elder & Cocoa)

Innate Plant IntelligenceInnate Plant Intelligence

CLIVE BAXTERCLIVE BAXTER

Shamanistic MedicineShamanistic Medicine

Traditional cultures: world created by Traditional cultures: world created by good & evil spirits.good & evil spirits.

Illness: from malignant forces or Illness: from malignant forces or possession of evil spirits (dissatisfaction of possession of evil spirits (dissatisfaction of spirits)spirits)

Shamanistic MedicineShamanistic Medicine

Shamans would enter Shamans would enter the spirit realm and the spirit realm and intercede on the intercede on the patient’s behalf, using patient’s behalf, using hallucinogenic herbs.hallucinogenic herbs.

Also provide medical Also provide medical Rx for the physical Rx for the physical needs (teas, needs (teas, decoctions, decoctions, ointments, lotions, ointments, lotions, steams, baths, etc)steams, baths, etc)

Development of Medicinal LoreDevelopment of Medicinal Lore Up until the 20Up until the 20thth century, every village & century, every village &

rural community had a profound rural community had a profound understanding of medicinal medicine understanding of medicinal medicine (herbal folklore)(herbal folklore)

Tried & tested local plants: teas, lotions, Tried & tested local plants: teas, lotions, ointments, decoctions, poultices, baths, ointments, decoctions, poultices, baths, steams, etc.steams, etc.

Origins of ancient herbal expertiseOrigins of ancient herbal expertise

Trial & error (thousands of years of Trial & error (thousands of years of observation)observation)

Observing animal habitsObserving animal habits

500BC: Medicine Breaks From 500BC: Medicine Breaks From Mystical OriginsMystical Origins

““Developed” cultures, medicine & magic Developed” cultures, medicine & magic (spiritual world) separate.(spiritual world) separate.

Hippocrates:Hippocrates: illness = natural; illness = natural; ≠unnatural process≠unnatural process Medicine should be given without ceremoniesMedicine should be given without ceremonies

Earliest Chinese Medicinal Text Earliest Chinese Medicinal Text Yellow Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine Emperor’s Classic of Internal Medicine 1BC:1BC: “In Rx illness, it is necessary to “In Rx illness, it is necessary to examine the entire context…If one insists examine the entire context…If one insists on the presence of ghosts & spirits, one on the presence of ghosts & spirits, one cannot speak of therapeutics.”cannot speak of therapeutics.”

300BC-600AD: Foundation of 300BC-600AD: Foundation of Major Herbal TraditionsMajor Herbal Traditions

• Trade between Europe, Middle East & AsiaTrade between Europe, Middle East & Asia• Diverse use & spreading of medicinal herb use & Diverse use & spreading of medicinal herb use &

knowledgeknowledge• E.g. Eugenia caryophyllataE.g. Eugenia caryophyllata

• DioscoridesDioscorides (1 (1stst century Greek physician) wrote the 1 century Greek physician) wrote the 1stst European Herbal, European Herbal, De Materia Medica.De Materia Medica.

• GalenGalen,, Roman physician, equally profound influence: Roman physician, equally profound influence: drew inspiration from Hippocrates “4 humours theory”.drew inspiration from Hippocrates “4 humours theory”.

• TCM, Eurpean & Indian medicinal systems all consider TCM, Eurpean & Indian medicinal systems all consider illness to be an imbalance within the elements of the illness to be an imbalance within the elements of the body & aim to restore balance, often using herbs.body & aim to restore balance, often using herbs.

Folk Healing in the Middle AgesFolk Healing in the Middle Ages

Traditional healers (TCM, AM, UT, TAM Traditional healers (TCM, AM, UT, TAM etc): process of apprenticeship, practice etc): process of apprenticeship, practice treating illness, attending childbirth, using treating illness, attending childbirth, using locally grown herbs locally grown herbs high practical high practical medical knowledge. medical knowledge.

Underestimated: E.g. Khoi-san using Underestimated: E.g. Khoi-san using Carpobrotus sppCarpobrotus spp to strengthen new born to strengthen new born babiesbabies

Islamic & Indian Medicine Islamic & Indian Medicine 500 – 1500500 – 1500

European Dark Ages = Golden Age of IslamEuropean Dark Ages = Golden Age of Islam With the decline of Roman Empire, Western With the decline of Roman Empire, Western

scholastic medicine knowledge diminished.scholastic medicine knowledge diminished. Through the flourishing of Islam in AD 500-1300, Through the flourishing of Islam in AD 500-1300,

Classical Greek & Roman knowledge was Classical Greek & Roman knowledge was preserved & elaborated (UT).preserved & elaborated (UT).

Arabs: Expert Pharmacists (Alchemy) Arabs: Expert Pharmacists (Alchemy) Contact with West (Europe) & East (China & Contact with West (Europe) & East (China &

India), wide range of medicinal & herbal India), wide range of medicinal & herbal knowldegeknowldege

Avicenna (Ibn Sina):Avicenna (Ibn Sina): Canon of Medicine & Canon of Medicine & DistillationDistillation

Central & South American CuresCentral & South American Cures

Similtaneously, Maya, Aztec & Inca civilizations: Similtaneously, Maya, Aztec & Inca civilizations: herbal traditions with profound understanding of herbal traditions with profound understanding of local medicinal plantslocal medicinal plants

E.g. Used to grow mould (penicillin) on banana E.g. Used to grow mould (penicillin) on banana skinsskins

In traditional Cultures: medicine & religion more In traditional Cultures: medicine & religion more interwoven than European cultures.interwoven than European cultures.

e.g. Skin disease suffers.e.g. Skin disease suffers.

1000AD-1400AD: Rebirth of 1000AD-1400AD: Rebirth of European ScholarshipEuropean Scholarship

European scholars slowly started studing European scholars slowly started studing Arab and the sciences they had to offer Arab and the sciences they had to offer (Astrology, Medicine, Pharmacy, (Astrology, Medicine, Pharmacy, Mathematics & Chemistry)Mathematics & Chemistry)

Re-birth of European KnowledgeRe-birth of European Knowledge

Mosques: Used as universities (Muslim, Mosques: Used as universities (Muslim, Christian, Jewish scholars), including the Christian, Jewish scholars), including the training of Females as physicians.training of Females as physicians.

Trotula: woman who wrote the first Trotula: woman who wrote the first book on obstetrics.book on obstetrics.

Asian UnificationAsian Unification 1414thth century: unification of whole of Asia (from century: unification of whole of Asia (from

Yellow Sea[China]-Black Sea [Eastern Europe]).Yellow Sea[China]-Black Sea [Eastern Europe]). Mongol rulers (of Asia): strict banning the use of Mongol rulers (of Asia): strict banning the use of XX herbs such as Aconite (used as an arrow herbs such as Aconite (used as an arrow poison).poison).

Other parts of Asia: Vietnam & Japan, Chinese Other parts of Asia: Vietnam & Japan, Chinese culture & medicine dominated the 1culture & medicine dominated the 1º influence.º influence.

Even Kampoh, traditional herbal medicine of Even Kampoh, traditional herbal medicine of Japan (distinctive to Japan), has its roots from Japan (distinctive to Japan), has its roots from TCM.TCM.

Trade between continents Trade between continents 1400-17001400-1700

Middle Ages: Trade routes start exapanding Middle Ages: Trade routes start exapanding new new exotic herbs to Europe.exotic herbs to Europe.

E.g. E.g. Zingiber officinalisZingiber officinalis (Zanzibar) (Zanzibar) Elletaria cardamomumElletaria cardamomum (Egypt, Indonesia, India & Sri (Egypt, Indonesia, India & Sri

Lanka)Lanka) Myristica fragrans Myristica fragrans Curcuma longaCurcuma longa (India & Indonesia) (India & Indonesia) Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Indonesia, Philippines, India, Indonesia, Philippines, India,

West Indies, Japan)West Indies, Japan) Cassia sennaCassia senna (Arab peninsulas) (Arab peninsulas) Salvia officinalisSalvia officinalis (European (European YinYin tonic) tonic)

Health & Hygiene 1400 1700Health & Hygiene 1400 1700

Huge influx of exotic medicinal plants & Huge influx of exotic medicinal plants & opportunity to observe medical practices opportunity to observe medical practices of the Arabs, Chinese, Japanese & Indians of the Arabs, Chinese, Japanese & Indians still: most unhealthy conditions world still: most unhealthy conditions world has ever seen has ever seen Spread of diseases. Spread of diseases.

Spread: Global: Native Americans & Spread: Global: Native Americans & IndiansIndians

Europe: open sewers, overcrowding & Europe: open sewers, overcrowding & ignorance ignorance Plague Plague

European EpidemicsEuropean Epidemics

Plague: no cure (herbal/mineral)Plague: no cure (herbal/mineral) 50% of population perished50% of population perished Spread of Europe to Asia (1994).Spread of Europe to Asia (1994).

Syphilis: spread by seafarersSyphilis: spread by seafarers From Caribbean by Columbus’ crew in From Caribbean by Columbus’ crew in

1490’s, spreading throughout Europe & 1490’s, spreading throughout Europe & Rest of the World (Asia)Rest of the World (Asia)

Plague CuresPlague Cures

Europe: Blindly practised medicine based on Europe: Blindly practised medicine based on Galen’s humoral principles (Indian & Chinese Galen’s humoral principles (Indian & Chinese Medicine evolved from traditional texts).Medicine evolved from traditional texts).

European physicians were just as likely to kill European physicians were just as likely to kill patients with bloodletting & toxic minerals in patients with bloodletting & toxic minerals in attempts to balance the humous as they were to attempts to balance the humous as they were to cure.cure.

Mineral cures became more fashionableMineral cures became more fashionable E.g. mercury curesE.g. mercury cures Led to the growth of chemical formulations Led to the growth of chemical formulations

scientific/allopathic medicine’s break from herbal scientific/allopathic medicine’s break from herbal medicinesmedicines

Plague Doctor’s MaskPlague Doctor’s Mask

The influence of ParacelsusThe influence of Paracelsus

Paracelsus (1493-1541) – rejects Galen’s Paracelsus (1493-1541) – rejects Galen’s 4 humour theory in favour of detailed 4 humour theory in favour of detailed observationobservation

First to pay great attention to dosage: “It First to pay great attention to dosage: “It depends only on the dose whether a depends only on the dose whether a poison is a poison or not.”poison is a poison or not.”

Influential force in the future development Influential force in the future development of chemistry, conventional medicine, of chemistry, conventional medicine, herbal medicine & homeopathy.herbal medicine & homeopathy.

Father of ChemistryFather of Chemistry

Also explored Alchemy, the transmutation Also explored Alchemy, the transmutation of base materials into gold & the search of base materials into gold & the search for immortal life.for immortal life.

Revived interest in the Doctrine of Revived interest in the Doctrine of Signatures – ancient theory: plant’s Signatures – ancient theory: plant’s appearance indicates the illnesses it would appearance indicates the illnesses it would Rx.Rx.

Culpepper & Printed HerbalsCulpepper & Printed Herbals

Wounded in the English Civil War, focused Wounded in the English Civil War, focused on the needs of ordinary people who could on the needs of ordinary people who could not afford a doctor or imported herbs.not afford a doctor or imported herbs.

Influenced by Dioscorides, Arab Influenced by Dioscorides, Arab physicians & Paracelsus physicians & Paracelsus developed a developed a medical system blending astrology & medical system blending astrology & personal knowledge.personal knowledge.

The English Physitian The English Physitian

The New RationalismThe New Rationalism New emphasis on chemical cures + New emphasis on chemical cures +

dismissal of “vital force” concept.dismissal of “vital force” concept. William Harvey: 1628 published his William Harvey: 1628 published his

studies on how the heart circulated blood studies on how the heart circulated blood throughout the body (contrary to Galenic throughout the body (contrary to Galenic thought).thought).

Medical science revolution: Biochemical Medical science revolution: Biochemical knowledge of physiology & disease knowledge of physiology & disease processesprocesses

Contrary: very little success in developing Contrary: very little success in developing successful cures for medical ailments successful cures for medical ailments compared to earlier scholars.compared to earlier scholars.

The gap in The Scientific ApproachThe gap in The Scientific Approach

Generally, traditional medicine has been Generally, traditional medicine has been scientifically lacking, yet it has always scientifically lacking, yet it has always been ahead of medical science in the way been ahead of medical science in the way it has been applied therapeutically.it has been applied therapeutically.

e.g. Vogel (European physician) noting e.g. Vogel (European physician) noting “ignorant” people medical therapeutics “ignorant” people medical therapeutics (Echinacea)(Echinacea)

Isolating ChemicalsIsolating Chemicals

1741 – 1799: Dr William Withering1741 – 1799: Dr William Withering Foxglove Foxglove Dropsy Dropsy 1785: Account of the Foxglove: case 1785: Account of the Foxglove: case

histories of the powerful (& potentially histories of the powerful (& potentially dangerous) effects of foxglovedangerous) effects of foxglove

Laboratory Vs NatureLaboratory Vs Nature

Early 19Early 19thth century, lab started to replace century, lab started to replace Nature as the source of medicines.Nature as the source of medicines.

1803: narcotic alkaloids isolated from 1803: narcotic alkaloids isolated from opium poppy opium poppy (Papaver somniferum)(Papaver somniferum)

1838: Salicylic acid (forerunner to aspirin) 1838: Salicylic acid (forerunner to aspirin) isolated from white willow bark isolated from white willow bark (Salix alba)(Salix alba)

From here on, herbal medicine & From here on, herbal medicine & biomedicine are to follow separate paths.biomedicine are to follow separate paths.

New FrontiersNew FrontiersNew Herbal MedicineNew Herbal Medicine

Europeans (colonialists) settled on foreign Europeans (colonialists) settled on foreign soils (America, India, Africa), away from soils (America, India, Africa), away from their chemical curestheir chemical cures

E.g. European settlers learning about E.g. European settlers learning about Agothosma betulina from Native Khoi-San Agothosma betulina from Native Khoi-San people.people.

Results: New herbs being added to Results: New herbs being added to European pharmacopoeias. European pharmacopoeias.

Samuel ThomsonSamuel Thomson

Unorthodox herbal practitionerUnorthodox herbal practitioner Believed that illness resulted from cold Believed that illness resulted from cold

(contrary to now conventional thinking)(contrary to now conventional thinking) Worked well for European settlers on the Worked well for European settlers on the

frontiers.frontiers. First form of NaturopathyFirst form of Naturopathy

Herbalism Outlawed 1850 - 1900Herbalism Outlawed 1850 - 1900

Europe: conventional Europe: conventional medicine seeks to medicine seeks to establish monopolyestablish monopoly

1858: British Parliament 1858: British Parliament banns the practice of banns the practice of medicine by anyone who medicine by anyone who has not been trained in a has not been trained in a conventional medical conventional medical school.school.

Enforced in France, Enforced in France, Spain, Italy & USASpain, Italy & USA

2020thth CENTURY & BEYOND CENTURY & BEYOND

Science & MedicineScience & Medicine Louis Pasteur – germ theoryLouis Pasteur – germ theory ReRediscovery of penicillin – A. Flemming discovery of penicillin – A. Flemming

Ascendancy of Biomedicine: Americans & Europeans Ascendancy of Biomedicine: Americans & Europeans accustomed to “quick-fix”. Herbal medicine becomes accustomed to “quick-fix”. Herbal medicine becomes almost extinct in Europe and US – outlawed almost extinct in Europe and US – outlawed (fined/imprisoned)(fined/imprisoned)

The tide turns: 1962: Thalidomide (drug taken by The tide turns: 1962: Thalidomide (drug taken by pregnant mothers to Rx morning sickness) pregnant mothers to Rx morning sickness) 3000 3000 deformed babies (Germany).deformed babies (Germany).

Turning point in public’s opinion of chemical medicines Turning point in public’s opinion of chemical medicines (cost to accompany the benefit).(cost to accompany the benefit).

Bare-foot DoctorsBare-foot Doctors

1960’s: China’s Barefoot 1960’s: China’s Barefoot Dr’s – blending herbal Dr’s – blending herbal medicine, acupuncture & medicine, acupuncture & western practices western practices

Becomes the model for Becomes the model for WHO (created a strategy WHO (created a strategy for including traditional for including traditional herbal medicines in herbal medicines in developing the planning & developing the planning & practices of medicine in practices of medicine in developing countries).developing countries).

Changing AttitudesChanging Attitudes

Most important factor behind the growing Most important factor behind the growing interest in complementary medicines is the interest in complementary medicines is the poor state of health in Western poor state of health in Western “developed/modern” societies.“developed/modern” societies.

While infectious diseases are controlled, While infectious diseases are controlled, chronic diseases are increasing.chronic diseases are increasing.

Despite huge amounts spent on health Despite huge amounts spent on health care, populations remain unhealthy.care, populations remain unhealthy.

(quick-fix method short-comings).(quick-fix method short-comings).

Herbalism & HolismHerbalism & Holism

Medical herbalists: Germ theory only Medical herbalists: Germ theory only fraction of the picturefraction of the picture

Many infectious diseases are not Many infectious diseases are not automatically spread from host-host.automatically spread from host-host.

Herbalism: treat the weakness allowing Herbalism: treat the weakness allowing for the germ to prosper rather than for the germ to prosper rather than eradicating the germ.eradicating the germ.

Herbal SynergyHerbal Synergy

Herbal Synergy: The Herbal Synergy: The effect of herbs are effect of herbs are larger than their sum.larger than their sum.

i.e. The effects are i.e. The effects are due to the energetic due to the energetic combination of herbs, combination of herbs, not just the action of not just the action of isolated constituents.isolated constituents.

TakeawayTakeaway

Intelligence is a concept that is increasingly Intelligence is a concept that is increasingly being associated with life in general, and no being associated with life in general, and no longer limited to humans.longer limited to humans.