Natural medicines vs. Modern medicines.

Many Christians believe that the Bible sanctions natural products more than prescription drugs. Is this premise true? Please consider the following thoughts.

First, any substance taken into the body to produce a biologic response is by definition a drug. Thus, herbs and prescription medicines are both drugs by definition. If one is ruled out, the other must be ruled out as well.


Second, a significant percentage of prescription medications were originally derived from herbs or natural products. Aspirin originated from the bark of the white willow tree; digitalis, used in congestive heart failure, was derived from the foxglove plant; pseudoephedrine, used in many cold remedies, came from the ephedra plant; and taxol, used to treat ovarian cancer, originally came from the bark of a Pacific yew tree. Therefore, if one deems modern medicine unbiblical, then one would need to rule out herbs as well.

Third, the Bible seems to give credence to both herbs (Ezek. 47:12) and the physician (Matt. 9:12). It does not give exclusivity to either.

It would seem logical that God wants his children to be as healthy as possible so that we can share Christ with others and help fellow believers grow in Christ. Both herbs and modern medicine in a sense seem minor compared with our major mission in the Great Commission. Herbs and modern medicine are only means, when necessary, to keep us healthy so we can continue to share Christ and encourage fellow believers.

Is Natural the Best?
The influence and money of more than eight hundred dietary companies are hard to ignore. Advertisements are everywhere. One must be careful not to be caught in the fad of the moment. On the contrary one must also be careful not to assume that natural products have nothing to offer.

Our need to believe in natural aids is often deep–seated. Most can remember mother's or grandmother's admonition of chicken noodle soup "to help fight off that old cold." Numerous other old folk remedies abound from our own childhood.

Many people believe that "natural is better," which is not always so. A significant percentage of prescription medicines over the years were derived from natural sources, but today we seldom use the original natural source because through scientific method and research we have developed purer medicines that are usually more effective.

Beliefs about Natural Products

While something can be said for the ease of obtaining many herbs and supplements today, there is an old adage that we do well to ponder: "He who treats himself has a fool for a doctor." Many of the disorders people attempt to treat with herbs and supplements can be lethal diseases—depression, heart disease, and cancer to name a few. Is the ease of obtainment worth the risk?

Several beliefs about the use of natural products contribute to the widespread use of herbs and supplements. But each of these should be examined as to its validity when choosing to add such products to one's health–care regimen, either for preventative care or specific treatment.

"Cost Less" Belief
Surely herbs and supplements cost less than prescription medications. But do they? Herbs and supplements generally are not covered by insurance. And the cost of adding herbal treatments can escalate quickly. For example, an individual may spend as much as $450 per month in an attempt to lift their mood with SAMe.

"Different Mechanism of Action" Belief
Many people believe that herbs and supplements work by different mechanisms of action than prescription medications today. It is almost as though some believe that these products miraculously and mysteriously work by natural means. Quite to the contrary, they work by the same mechanisms of action as modern psychiatric medications.

"It's Not a Drug" Belief
Herb refers to a plant used for medicinal purposes. Any time a substance is used in effect for medicinal purposes, it becomes a drug.

"Herbs Are Fine, but Modern Medicine Is Not" Belief
This is analogous to saying, "Model T Fords are fine, but a new Mustang is not." Herbs have been around for centuries and have been used as active constituents in many modern–day drugs. In fact more than 25 percent of today's pharmaceutical agents have been developed by extraction and purification of crude herbs. However, just as the Model T Ford gave way to newer and better models every year, so herbs and supplements have given way to newer and better medicines that are more effective and more specific in their actions.

"Herbs Have No Side Effects" Belief
It is true that natural products overall have fewer side effects than prescription medications, but it is not true that they have no side effects. FDA psychiatric approved drugs must go through three levels of stringent tests for effectiveness and potential side effects. Herbs go through none since they are not FDA approved. Because the FDA exercises no supervision, the potency and quality of products cannot be guaranteed. Some of the herbs used as diet aids can have serious health risks. Aristoloclia fangchi and mutong resulted in end–stage renal disease in some patients. Ephedra (ma huang), used as a stimulant, has been linked to more than thirty–eight deaths.

"They Work" Belief
We often hear this statement regarding herbs and supplements: "But they work." Indeed these products do work at times, but what about the other times? The problem arises in knowing whether the positive responses are due to the herb or the placebo effect. An additional problem is not knowing what else the herb might do that is not necessarily helpful.

"The Mysterious, Magical Fountain of Youth" Belief
The search for the mysterious, magical fountain of youth lurks in almost all of us. Surely some supplement or herb will mysteriously and almost magically cure whatever ails us, we think. The search itself for the fountain of youth is compelling. It offers not only hope for a cure but a chase that is fun and intriguing.
Indeed, a number of factors influence the use of herbs and supplements. None of us are immune to these factors. We need to do our best to ask if we are being objective. To be fair, herbs and other supplements can have significant benefits. Dangers are also possible. In other words, there are many unknowns. These products always should be used under a knowledgeable medical doctor's supervision, realizing the potential dangers.