WITHOUT the WHITECOAT
In fairness to Herbal Medicine as an alternative
In fairness to Brother Peter B., who have been pushing for herbal concoctions as an alternative form of treatment, herbal medicine is thus valid. But he failed to see the ill effects of herbal medications or concoctions to our patients in general.
Some of Metro Iloilo's nephrologists had already seen cases of "herbal nephropathy" that either end up in dialysis, for renal failure, or as a short route of "6 feet" below the ground". In my years of practice in medicine, I have never turned my back to herbs considering the fact that it will always have a place in the field of medicine. During our last years in medical school: The preventive and community part of Family Medicine, we were all exposed to herbal medicine and alternative medicine as an art of practice.
I had prescribed "Sambong Re-leaf" for my patients with renal stones which showed some good results. I have also prescribed "Ascof Lagundi " for some patients with cough and have some good outcomes. My friend may have seen me sticking up with herbal medicine but I have never vied away from the "traditional" aspect of medicine that I learned from medical school.
There is the good and the bad side of herbal medicine. As a physician, herbal medicine can be used as an adjunct therapy for "some" ailments like "amargosin" preparation, which can be used in diabetic patients. It is not the "gold" standard cure for diabetes mellitus though. It should be totally refuted or campaigned against, with humongous effort from the broadcast media, the airing of herbal medications that promises to cure all the ailments of this world.
Medical societies in Iloilo City, by at large, should put a stop to this public misleading. The public should further be educated on the ill effects of this herbal concoction since there is no government agency that regulates them for the reason that they fall under the category of "food supplements or with no therapeutic effects".
How can we justify further the effects of herbal medicine? A herbal concoction that contains 114 herbs will promise everything. But how does herbal concoction works? Does one herbal ingredient magnifies the action of the other or will potentiate the effect of the other? Will it give toxic effects to the rest of the organs of the body?
As practitioners in the field of medicine, our obligation belongs to the "care" of our patients. Eventually, all the companies that are promoting this "herbal concoction" will try to make a run for our money. For 500 pesos a "pop", that's big enough for those who are earning basic or average daily wage.
Yes, I cannot deny that the herbal-medicine approach is for the masses or the "common tao". But if it will come to a point that the side effects or complications outweighs the remedies or cure, then we could say it is high time to put an end to this. Our brothers in the broadcast media should also be conscientious on the things that they play on the airwaves, particularly those pertaining to herbal medicine.
Again I want to reiterate that it is not a "cure-all" remedy for "all the maladies and illnesses" of this world. It is always safe and best to see your physician first.