BOTANICAL MEDICINE
Botanical medicine, which is the use of herbs for healing, has been used for thousands of years in cultures around the globe. Many people do not know that many commonly used cooking ingredients such as garlic, thyme, ginger and turmeric, are powerful medicinals. Garlic is antiviral and antifungal for the digestive tract. Thyme is antibacterial. Ginger stimulates hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes in the stomach. Turmeric improves detoxification in the liver.
Plants contain active biochemical compounds that can function synergistically. In other words, each medicinal plant contains many active compounds that work together in a complementary way. Our knowledge of western herbs is currently being enriched by traditional Chinese and Indian Auyervedic herbal expertise.
There are herbal alternatives to antibiotics for those who prefer, and for those who have developed strong allergic reactions. Herbs have fewer side effects than pharmaceuticals because of one key aspect of their molecule formation.
Hawthorn berry has a specific action on the muscles of the heart. St. John’s Wort is widely known to be effective for moderate depression. Artichoke leaf can be used to lower cholesterol. Passion flower is excellent for anxiety.
Currently botanical medicine is an exciting and rapidly developing field of professional companies with significant research and development budgets. New herbal formulations are constantly being created . For example, we now have an excellent formulation for cataract prevention. New herbs from all over the globe are being researched and introduced.
An essential part of botanical knowledge is sourcing, researching and assessing quality product. Currently the federal government in Canada is much more actively involved in monitoring laboratory conditions and quality in the industry. Most of the herbs Dr. Tutt uses are organically grown or wild crafted from an Ontario herb farm.
Dr. Tutt has studied and used herbs for 30 years. She had a working knowledge of many traditional European and North American herbs before her training at CCNM, the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine. At CCNM she received additional education in the use of western herbs, and was introduced to the use of traditional Chinese formulas.
