149. What Big Pharma Doesn't Want You To Know About Herbal Dosing...

In the growing movement toward natural health solutions and seeking plant-based remedies for common ailments, you've likely encountered warnings about herbal remedies—concerns about interactions with medications, or even direct herbal medicine side effects like increased bleeding risk. These warnings often stem from scientific research, which we are trained to trust. But there is a difference between traditional herbal doses and research doses. What if this research is missing a crucial piece of the puzzle: the dose?

At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we believe in helping people understand Herbalism, which means cutting through the noise to understand the truth behind the headlines. We performed a research-based AI-powered analysis that revealed critical insights into the disparity between research findings and how traditional herbalists prepare medicine.

The Dosing Delusion: Pharmaceuticals vs. Traditional Herbalism

Traditional Herbalism, honed over millennia, arguably has created humanity's longest-running clinical trials. This ancient wisdom, passed down through generations, emphasizes finding the minimum effective dose of plant medicine – a subtle yet profound approach to healing. The goal is to gently guide the body back to balance, through consistent use of small quantities of plant medicine. This slow-and-steady method naturally mitigates side effects because the body has time to adapt and respond gradually. Many wonder, "how do herbalists determine safe dosages?" The answer lies in thousands of years of careful observation and practice.

In stark contrast, modern pharmaceutical research and manufacturing often operate on a "more is more" principle, typically resulting in isolated compounds and astronomically larger doses designed for rapid, potent effects. I refer to Pharmaceuticals as "The Big Guns", and there are circumstances where they are the best option, when there isn't time and the health issue is critical. But it is here that the disconnect begins.

A client came to me with concerns about their Reishi Blend and CBD, after reading about their potential adverse effects online. I was able to reassure them after showing them that the doses of popular herbs like Reishi, Lion's Mane, and CBD implicated for potential side effects within scientific studies are often hundreds, even thousands, of times greater than those recommended in traditional herbal practices. For example, our Nerve Blend Tincture - a combo of Reishi and Lion's Mane - delivers a dose of 10-30 mg per day of extracted mushroom material. Research suggesting a bleeding risk, however, discusses doses in the range of 500-5000 mg. Similarly, the dose of our 6-8 mg Organic, THC-Free, Lab Tested CBD Oil pales in comparison to the thousands of milligrams (e.g., 3575 mg/day) used in studies investigating interactions with medications like Eliquis. Here's the best part: our minimal effective dose is effective, and is backed up by countless Google and Yelp reviews, which you are welcome to peruse. The concern about side effects like liver toxicity, gastrointestinal upset, or altered clotting factors, which sometimes surface in research, applies to these extremely high, concentrated doses, not the gentle, traditionally prepared remedies. This highlights a crucial distinction: there is a huge difference between herbal tincture dosage versus pharmaceutical-grade concentrations.

Unpacking the Bias: Following the Money Trail in Herbal Research

Why does this discrepancy persist, and why is herbal medicine demonized by some research? One might consider the financial landscape of health research. The burgeoning interest in Organic, Plant-Based Solutions for health issues poses a significant challenge to the revenue streams of large pharmaceutical corporations. It's no secret that many university research labs rely heavily on funding from these same Pharmaceutical Giants.

This creates an inherent bias: research tends to focus on patented, synthetic compounds or investigates natural substances at doses that can be manufactured and standardized in a pharmaceutical context, often mirroring their "high-dose for rapid effect" paradigm. There's little financial incentive for these entities to fund extensive research into low-dose, traditionally prepared Herbal Remedies—especially when those ingredients can be grown in a backyard or foraged from a forest. Research on easily accessible, unpatentable plants simply doesn't align with the existing business model. This leads to the question: who funds research on natural remedies? Not the same entities that are investigating high-dose extracts for potential negative impacts.

The True Experts: Seek Guidance from Qualified Herbalists for Safe Use

In this complex landscape of information, it’s crucial to seek guidance from sources rooted in genuine expertise. Before believing everything you read online, even from reputable health sites, consider the source's training. A qualified Herbalist trained in Traditional Herbal Medicine possesses a depth of understanding about the nuances of plant energetics, appropriate dosing, and historical usage that goes far beyond what a conventional medical or scientific background alone can provide. Many ask, "how to find a reputable herbalist near me?" Look for practitioners with extensive training in traditional Herbalism and practical experience in making herbal tinctures and remedies, such as Donna Troy Cleary of Spiral Herbal Remedies. If someone isn't trained in Herbal Medicine, they may simply not have the foundational knowledge to accurately interpret or advise on these traditional preparations. Always consult a knowledgeable expert before making changes to your health regimen.

At Spiral Herbal Remedies, we are committed to empowering you with accurate, well-researched information. Our mission is to help you understand Herbal Remedies, especially when it comes to understanding how traditional plant medicine interacts with your body at the doses nature intended.

Ready to explore the benefits of carefully crafted, traditionally dosed herbal remedies?

People keep asking, so we're adding another Herbalism Class. Send me an email to let me know you'd like to join us. I'll contact you when we're ready to roll.

Visit our online shop to discover our full range of tinctures and plant-based solutions, all made with the highest quality organic ingredients. Or visit us in our brick-and-mortar shop located at 810 Washington Ave in Brooklyn to speak to Donna in person.

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