Herbs in Context

The Qi-Unity Report interviews John Scott, DOM

QUR: Has there been much variation in use of herbal medicine in the U.S.? If so, why?

JS: Herbal medicine in the U.S. originated from many different traditions. Native Americans have their own tradition that some European settlers adopted. European settlers brought their own herbal traditions with them. In the 18th century it was the female midwives and healers who were the most faithful to herbal medicine where their male counterparts were attracted to the newer more invasive innovations. Now we have the various Asian traditions that are being utilized in the U.S. by Asian immigrants and now the general community.

QUR: Are there any environmental issues that occur with the popularity of specific herbs?

JS: Yes, there certainly are environmental issues when a specific herb becomes popular. Originally, plant medicines were gathered in the wilder areas around where villages were settled. Recently, wild areas are becoming more and more difficult to find. What we have witnessed is that when a particular plant becomes popular as a medicinal herb there is increased pressure on that particular plant species and it becomes endangered.

We saw that when St John’s Wort became popular there was pressure on that plant and more contamination due to pickers becoming less discriminating when they were picking the plant. Golden Seal was put on the list of plants to watch to put on the endangered list. American Ginseng has certainly become much more difficult to find in the wild. This is why it is essential to cultivate medicinal plants. In China the important Chinese medicinal herbs are grown in large quantities. The very important herbs like White Peony (Bai Shao) and White Atractylodes (Bai Zhu) are grown in quantities of tens of thousands on tons.

QUR: Is the way that suppliers get their herbs changing?

JS: Traditionally, herbal practitioners had to go into the wild areas and pick whatever plants they wanted to use themselves. We know that Christopher Columbus stumbled on to America in search of spices many of which are used in herbal medicines and cooking and hygiene. Plants, spices, and herbs for many uses have always been very important in human commerce.

The exchange of New World and Old World plants in the 16th century had an inestimable impact on human history. New World plants like tobacco and potatoes impacted the Old World, and the cultivation of sugar in the New World had a significant effect on the populations of Africa and the Americas. In more recent times, brokers and importers have traded herbs and plants on both large and very small scales.

QUR: Who was Abraham Flexner and how did he influence medical standards in the United States?

JS: Abraham Flexner received backing from the Rockefeller and Carnegie Foundations to survey the 158 existing medical schools in 1910. His very critical survey issued in 1911 was an important step in the creation of the modern medical monopoly that evolved in the 20th century. His report in conjunction with the AMA greatly contributed to the standardization of medical education and the marginalization of the existing traditional healing systems that were flourishing at that time. You can Google “Flexner Report” and find a lot of information on his report and the development of modern medicine.

QUR: How do we take Chinese herbal medicine from where it is now to where it is established as an accepted healing modality in the United States?

JS: This will take a huge commitment on the part of the interested constituencies. It will require significant application of focused attention and money over a period of time. American citizens must be educated that herbal medicine is considered a first thought healing modality in most areas of the planet. They need to be educated to seek the advice of qualified AOM practitioners. Issues of importation and regulation must be addressed in a way to create greater and more reliable access to Chinese herbal medicines. Conventional medical providers must be educated to consider Chinese herbal medicine for their patients and families. Our community must be organized to confront and counter mis-information and smear campaigns organized by conventional medical and pharmaceutical industries.

One of the catch phrases thrown about by the FDA and the medical community is “evidence based medicine.” I believe that this language is used to denigrate any healing modality of substance that the use of is not supported by research methods acceptable to the “scientific” world and the standards set by the double blind standard. It may be a challenge finding a way to illustrate the elegance of our ancient healing system in the language of modern science. Modern science seeks to use greatly refined and concentrated single constituents to address all health problems. Part of the motivation is related to the modern perspective, and the major part I believe is motivated by commercial interests and the desire to have ownership of the specific constituent to provide sufficient profit motive to drive the research and development of those pharmaceutical drugs.