Did You Know Many Modern Medicines Come from Plants?
Some of today’s most powerful pharmaceuticals were originally derived from herbs:
Paclitaxel (Taxol®) – a chemotherapy drug, derived from the Pacific Yew tree.
Digoxin (Digitalis) – used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias, from the Foxglove plant.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) – a pain and anti-inflammatory drug, modelled on compounds in Willow bark.
While these drugs can be life-saving, isolating a single compound from a plant often increases the risk of side effects, removing the natural buffering and synergy found in the whole herb.
In herbal medicine, we use the whole plant, where active compounds work together to enhance effectiveness and reduce harm when used responsibly, resulting in a balanced, gentle approach to long-term healing.
Today, we have the benefit of an integrated model of care, combining traditional herbal knowledge and practice with scientific evidence and medical care. It’s not one or the other. It’s what’s best for you — informed, safe, and collaborative.
Paclitaxel (Taxol®) – a chemotherapy drug, derived from the Pacific Yew tree.
Digoxin (Digitalis) – used to treat heart failure and arrhythmias, from the Foxglove plant.
Aspirin (Acetylsalicylic acid) – a pain and anti-inflammatory drug, modelled on compounds in Willow bark.
While these drugs can be life-saving, isolating a single compound from a plant often increases the risk of side effects, removing the natural buffering and synergy found in the whole herb.
In herbal medicine, we use the whole plant, where active compounds work together to enhance effectiveness and reduce harm when used responsibly, resulting in a balanced, gentle approach to long-term healing.
Today, we have the benefit of an integrated model of care, combining traditional herbal knowledge and practice with scientific evidence and medical care. It’s not one or the other. It’s what’s best for you — informed, safe, and collaborative.
