OLChemist

Today I had an interesting conversation with a colleague. This woman is somewhat of a new ager -- not a full-fledged member of the Crop-Circle Tribe but there is definitely a Crop-Circle princess great-grandmother in the family tree. This young lady has begun dosing herself with a tea made from a mix of white sage and red cedar because she has read that this is the "Indian" remedy for dysmenoria. After thirty minute of futile discussion I could not dissuade her of her belief that natural means safe (nor could I convince her that she was drinking some kind of Santa Fe incense). Since I could not convince her, I will try to reach those of the same ilk who frequent this site.

To those who would abuse Native medicine I want say this:

First, chemicals are chemicals. Nothing is chemical free -- except a really, really good vacuum. Thymol extracted from Indian perfume is the same as thymol synthesized in the lab. Just because a chemical was produced by a plant doesn't make it safe. A molecule is biologically active because it is the same chemical entity or has similar chemical properties as a molecule which active in human physiology. Biological organisms are creative organic chemists extraordinaire, capable of far better control of the particular spatial orientation of atoms in molecules (an important factor in their biological activity) than laboratory chemists. Hence, they can produce only the active racemates or isomeres and not the inactive or even toxic configurations. But, naturally derived chemical can be just as dangerous as those from the lab. The Creator didn't put these chemicals in a plant just for our benefit; these substances serve some biological -- usually defensive -- purpose. The chemical weapon Ricin is synthesized by the castor bean plant as a pest-deterring agent.

Second, Native practitioners have accumulated a vast body of empirical data on the usage and dosage herbal medicines. Would you break into a pharmacy and take a handful of Viagra and digitalis and wash it down with a swig of codeine? That is what you are doing when you appropriate Native medicinal knowledge and herbs. Herbalists undergo extensive training. They learn how to harvest, prepare, and use these substances. Proper care (and respect) must be used in harvesting these materials for a number of reasons. For example, certain species of asters that are used medicinally will concentrate the toxic selenium present in some kinds of soils, or that yarrow contains vastly different quantities of active azulene compounds depending on the levels of sunlight. Or for our hapless new ager, that the terpinen-4-ol in red cedar can cause kidney damage or miscarriages if misused. The herbalist knowledge can not be ignored, just because the source is oral tradition and perceived as lacking the imprimatur of western science and thereby "simple" and "primitive". You can not self prescribe from the Native pharmacy anymore than you can from your local hospital.

Rant over; thanks for listening to me vent.

OLChemist