Herbal Products

With the increased inclusion of supplements and herbal products into modern integrative medical practice, it is essential for health providers to treat in congruence with patients’ sensitivities to ensure their safety. As holistic health practitioners, another central aspect of our work is to consider how an individual’s biology, environment, lifestyle, culture, and emotions factor into their health picture. From this perspective, it’s essential to determine why a client has a food sensitivity to select the best, evidence-informed treatment plan. 

Biological Interactions

An individual’s medical history, genetics, and unique biological makeup can influence their response to an herbal product. Ren Shen (Ginseng) is a qi tonifying herb within the TCM materia medica, anecdotally known to strengthen vital energy, blood, lungs, heart, and replenish fluids. However, it should be avoided in the presence of antidepressant and antidiabetic medications (Kamwo). Ren Shen’s positive impact on regulating the central nervous system and metabolism has a synergistic effect with antidepressant and antidiabetic medications, resulting in potential harm when used alongside one another (Ratan et al., 2021). Thus, we must be diligent in reviewing an individual's history before recommending herbs that may be contraindicated with their medication list.

Lifestyle and Cultural Context

When treating multicultural populations, it may be common to treat individuals with religious restrictions or ethnic preferences for certain foods, potentially limiting herbal recommendations to suit their lifestyle. In Islam, pork is a forbidden food according to the Halal dietary practice. However, within TCM, pork is seen as a powerful yin-nourishing food that is a primary ingredient for popular herbal soup recipes, such as Ching Bo Leung. In cases where an ideal food or herb conflicts with a patient’s cultural or religious practice, we must be prepared to provide alternatives such as a vegetable base.

Special Populations

In geriatric or pregnant populations, some herbs may conflict with their physiological capabilities at that point in time. For instance, Ma Huang (Ephedra Herba) is a strong diaphoretic herb, known to induce sweating and promote urination to release the exterior or treat acute respiratory conditions. However, due to its strength and downbearing nature, it is not ideal for deficient constitutions such as the elderly or people who are pregnant (Kamwo). Thus, it is important to consider the full picture an individual presents when considering the best treatment for their health and safety.

References:

Kamwo. (n.d.). Ma Huang [Review of Ma Huang]. TCM Herb Guide.

Ratan, Z. A., Haidere, M. F., Hong, Y. H., Park, S. H., Lee, J.-O., Lee, J., & Cho, J. Y. (2021). Pharmacological potential of ginseng and its major component ginsenosides. Journal of Ginseng Research, 45(2).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jgr.2020.02.004