Resurgence of Herbal Medicine in Western Countries
The renaissance of herbal healing began in western countries in mid-1970s. The discovery of the curative powers of a humble herb called Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) in curing migraine headaches was a major turning point in the fortunes of herbal medicine in western countries.
The wife of the Chief Medical Officer of the National Coal Board in the UK was suffering with migraine headache for a long time. Her migraine headache was cured by using Feverfew, a folk remedy suggested by a coal miner. Feverfew was used for centuries in Europe for that purpose.
Later inspired by this event, the London Migraine Clinic scientifically tested and proved the efficacy of feverfew in curing migraine headache. Thereafter, Feverfew made headlines in the national press and the electronic media. It also found its way into Lancet, the most prestigious medical journal in the UK. The revival of herbal medicine and other forms of alternative medicine well and truly started.
a. Herbal Medicine Courses in the West
Now there are universities and private institutions in every developed country offering government approved diploma, graduate, post-graduate, and Ph.D. courses in herbal medicine. These qualifications are generally recognized by professional associations for practicing herbal medicine and by health insurance companies for covering medical treatment costs.
b. Herbal Medicine Courses for Allopathic Doctors
As people began to prefer herbal medicine, allopathic medical practitioners themselves had to follow suit. Now several herbal medical colleges in Australia, USA, UK etc offer special certificate or diploma courses in herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda etc for allopathic medical practitioners.
c. People Driven Resurgence of Herbal Medicine in the West
The way the resurgence of herbal medicine happened in the West was totally different from the way it happened in China and India. In the west, large numbers of patients began to turn away from allopathic medicine and sought herbal medicine as a reliable, effective, and safe medicine. Governments were forced to recognize herbal medicine as legal and valid alternative medicine. Herbalists and herbal medicines acquired popularity, status, and prestige. As herbal medicine is cheaper, more easily accessible, and has no side effects, people supported it strongly as an alternative form of medicine. Now, most medical shops in western countries allocate about half of the shelf space for herbal health care products.
d. Herbal Medicine in Germany
Germany started the revolution of artificial chemical medicines. But Germany continued to retain its keen interest and faith in herbal medicine. German physicians now write several millions of prescriptions for herbal medicines for boosting immunity to disease and for curing most of the common ailments. Commission E established by the German Government evaluated herbs from all over the world regarding the medicinal properties of each herb and provided guidelines regarding the usage of each herb for medicinal purposes. Today Germany imports medicinal herbs than any other western country from India, China, and other parts of the world.
e. Herbal Medicine in Japan
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the Japanese physicians now make some use of their traditional herbal medicine. Common articles of food such as burdock root, soy products, green leafy vegetables, rice wine etc are also used as medicines in Japan.
f. Herbal Medicine in the USA
The USA at present is spending about 20 per cent of its gross national product on health care and most of it on allopathic medicine. Yet nearly a fifth of its population has no access to proper medical care. By 2010 the total amount spent by the USA on herbal and other complementary medicines is expected to be hundreds of billions of US dollars per year. That amounts to 40 per cent of every dollar spent on medicines and health care in the USA.
g. Herbal Medicine in the UK
As patients began to turn away from allopathic medicine to herbalists and herbal medicine western governments were forced to recognize grudgingly herbal medicine as a valid alternative system of medicine for most of the common ailments.
Some western countries like the USA recognize herbal substances only as nutritional supplements not as medicines. People do not, however, care as to how FDA labels such substances. They use them as medicines anyway.
Resurgence of Herbal Medicine in Western Countries
The renaissance of herbal healing began in western countries in mid-1970s. The discovery of the curative powers of a humble herb called Feverfew (Chrysanthemum parthenium) in curing migraine headaches was a major turning point in the fortunes of herbal medicine in western countries.
The wife of the Chief Medical Officer of the National Coal Board in the UK was suffering with migraine headache for a long time. Her migraine headache was cured by using Feverfew, a folk remedy suggested by a coal miner. Feverfew was used for centuries in Europe for that purpose.
Later inspired by this event, the London Migraine Clinic scientifically tested and proved the efficacy of feverfew in curing migraine headache. Thereafter, Feverfew made headlines in the national press and the electronic media. It also found its way into Lancet, the most prestigious medical journal in the UK. The revival of herbal medicine and other forms of alternative medicine well and truly started.
a. Herbal Medicine Courses in the West
Now there are universities and private institutions in every developed country offering government approved diploma, graduate, post-graduate, and Ph.D. courses in herbal medicine. These qualifications are generally recognized by professional associations for practicing herbal medicine and by health insurance companies for covering medical treatment costs.
b. Herbal Medicine Courses for Allopathic Doctors
As people began to prefer herbal medicine, allopathic medical practitioners themselves had to follow suit. Now several herbal medical colleges in Australia, USA, UK etc offer special certificate or diploma courses in herbal medicine, Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurveda etc for allopathic medical practitioners.
c. People Driven Resurgence of Herbal Medicine in the West
The way the resurgence of herbal medicine happened in the West was totally different from the way it happened in China and India. In the west, large numbers of patients began to turn away from allopathic medicine and sought herbal medicine as a reliable, effective, and safe medicine. Governments were forced to recognize herbal medicine as legal and valid alternative medicine. Herbalists and herbal medicines acquired popularity, status, and prestige. As herbal medicine is cheaper, more easily accessible, and has no side effects, people supported it strongly as an alternative form of medicine. Now, most medical shops in western countries allocate about half of the shelf space for herbal health care products.
d. Herbal Medicine in Germany
Germany started the revolution of artificial chemical medicines. But Germany continued to retain its keen interest and faith in herbal medicine. German physicians now write several millions of prescriptions for herbal medicines for boosting immunity to disease and for curing most of the common ailments. Commission E established by the German Government evaluated herbs from all over the world regarding the medicinal properties of each herb and provided guidelines regarding the usage of each herb for medicinal purposes. Today Germany imports medicinal herbs than any other western country from India, China, and other parts of the world.
e. Herbal Medicine in Japan
It is estimated that 70 per cent of the Japanese physicians now make some use of their traditional herbal medicine. Common articles of food such as burdock root, soy products, green leafy vegetables, rice wine etc are also used as medicines in Japan.
f. Herbal Medicine in the USA
The USA at present is spending about 20 per cent of its gross national product on health care and most of it on allopathic medicine. Yet nearly a fifth of its population has no access to proper medical care. By 2010 the total amount spent by the USA on herbal and other complementary medicines is expected to be hundreds of billions of US dollars per year. That amounts to 40 per cent of every dollar spent on medicines and health care in the USA.
g. Herbal Medicine in the UK
As patients began to turn away from allopathic medicine to herbalists and herbal medicine western governments were forced to recognize grudgingly herbal medicine as a valid alternative system of medicine for most of the common ailments.
Some western countries like the USA recognize herbal substances only as nutritional supplements not as medicines. People do not, however, care as to how FDA labels such substances. They use them as medicines anyway.
