[realnilkless]

It can work.

It can also be dangerous.

JM

[dabibibff]

I would rather take my chances with the pharmaceutical industry. And besides, I have lots of shares in GSK

But seriously, the problem comes down to the sort of religion these new age types spout. Believing that mother nature has endowed all plants with all the medicines required to heal our problems. Fact is, this is bullsh*t. There is no evolutionary benefit to a plant having medicinal properties to humans (unless they have been selected for this trait, which has never happened agriculturally). The nearest we may get is that certain compunds within the plant may be physiologically active by coincidence, and in an unrefined manner. Take for example salicylic acid - it was of interest due to its anti-inflammatory properties, however the side effects were pretty horrendous. However within the plant it is a hormone - a function completely different to its role in human physiology, and hence, the coincidence. Besides it was with modification of this compound to acetylsalicylic acid we get an effective medicine - aspirin.

So I consider the only feasible source of medicines is via research and development, and perhaps with some inspiration from plant-derived compounds for ideas on a rudimentary mode of action for a drug.

[exschke]

I am somewhat dubious of poppin' pills for all ills, but I'm likewise dubious of natural remedies and stuff that strikes me as more mystical than medical.

So I'm just dubious, I guess

-Arrian

[PetraCromlich]

What PH said

[suilusargaino]

I believe too many people think you can't overdose on "natural" meds, but you can. Also, some people seem to have the philosophy of "it's natural, so it can't be bad for me". (That's one of the stupid arguments for marijuana, for example.)

So, what I'm saying is you have to be careful with natural medications just like you should be with pharmaceuticals.