Herbal Explorer

Welcome to the world of integrated medicine.

What IS  integrated medicine?  It’s taking the best from both worlds:  The “conventional”  allopathic AND the “alternative” naturopathic. Adding many m0re tools to the chest in the management of acute and chronic illness.

A key in this process is plant-based medicine -referred to as the use of herbs.  Medicinal herbs have been used for thousands of years, and to date, at least 25% of pharmaceutical medications are of plant or animal origin.  The average plant is a factory for thousands of unique compounds, many of which, we still know nothing about.  These compounds may be extremely potent and toxic, or mild with soothing and supporting properties. Their actions may be independent or require synergy of other associated compounds.

Finding new effective medicinal herbs requires research, travel, and a knowledge-base of anthropology,botany, biochemistry, and medicine.  This blog will venture into these regions, and other tangents.  Thanks for reading and your comments are welcome!

Dr. James Pendleton