On Saturday, I attended the opening ceremony of an event at the New York Botanical Garden entitled “Wild Medicine: healing plants from around the world.” I enjoyed hearing and (re-)meeting the featured speaker Dr. Andrew Weil.
I probably met Andy Weil at various holistic events I was part of in the 80’s or early 90’s, but the time I remember best was at the American Holistic Medical Association Meeting, I believe in Kansas City in March 1993, where he was scheduled to lead a presentation, and presented a Japanese group who demonstrated the traditional technique of Jo Rei Healing. I learned how to receive energy with one hand and send it out with the other. I met Andy during that time and spoke briefly with him then.
Dr. Weil’s main message this week was similar to what I have learned over the years from studying with herbalists, is that the total composition of the products available from plants has a more benficial effect than any of the isolated most active compounds.
In this, he differs markedly from the thinking of pharmacologist’s, drug companies, and the mainstream physicians, who have come to believe that the, most active product isolated from a plant, is the only component to use. We both take exception to the fact that medicine has built up a repertoire of drugs commonly used that have much higher toxicity than the plants they were derived from.
I have always believed that there is a synergy in the various components within the plant, which offer it protection that we are seeking to use for ourselves as a result, I often use whole food or whole plant products or extracts in my practice.
Dr. Weil’s talk reinforced my thinking on the use of whole plant extracts in treating diseases. Seeing the incredible array of medicinal plants from around the world reminded me that the cures for many of our illnesses are as natural as the illnesses themselves.
To your health,
Dr. Alan M. Dattner
Holistic Dermatology
New York, New York
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As always, the content of this blog is for information and education purposes only, and should not be used to prevent, diagnose or treat illness; please see your physician for care.
