Mary Tassell
Posology in Herbal Medicine - Do we have a sound basis?
Abstract
Dosage practices in herbal medicine are, at this time, primarily influenced by the current biomedical paradigm dominating scientific thinking in the Western world. Thus dosage is currently primarily related to current orthodox pharmacological concerns such as dose response relationships which have evolved from the therapeutic use of isolated active constituents. The mechanisms of action of whole plant remedies may reflect the involvement of a much broader range of influences. This dissertation briefly reviews the influences on dosage practices to date and sets out to question the current dosage protocols in terms of their relevance to whole plant remedies. Specifically it aims to explore the phenomena of the practice of utilizing drop dosage medicines which, in terms of the current biomedical paradigm represent sub therapeutic dosages. This would implicate mechanisms of action other than those elucidated by the current biomedical paradigm. Potential alternative mechanisms of action are explored, and the results of a survey sent to practicing herbalists, exploring their dosage practices, experiences and beliefs are analyzed. A simple set of guidelines is outlined as a basis for a more flexible approach to dosage practices, based upon the findings of the survey. Finally the results of this survey are compared with the suggested alternative mechanisms, and new areas for further research are proposed.
