Book chapter
A review of reviews of the benefits of naturopathy and western herbal medicine
The practice and regulatory requirements of naturopathy and western herbal medicine, pp.68-96
School of Public Health, La Trobe University
2005
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Abstract
The purpose of this chapter is to evaluate the current scientific literature on the benefits of
naturopathy and Western herbal medicine (WHM). Such an evaluation is important as it
provides an understanding of the current state of the science, and the scientific literature, that
underpin the two professions under review. Discussion about the risks of an intervention or
therapy should not occur outside an understanding of its attendant benefits. The coupling of
risks and benefits in a scientific setting provides an appropriate context in which to examine
the value of interventions and therapies.
In 2003, the manufacturing licence of Pan Pharmaceuticals was suspended by the
Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and more than 1600 therapeutic products were
recalled, of which the majority were complementary medicines. The ensuing public debate
was vigorous, and there were many accusations that little evidence existed regarding the
benefits of complementary medicine. Senior members of the medical profession and a state
premier expressed their doubts about the benefits of complementary medicine and their
concern about the lack of evidence to support its practice. Proponents of complementary
medicine countered these accusations by citing specific evidence that demonstrated benefits.
In response to the recall and the ensuing public debate, an expert committee was established
by the Commonwealth government to review complementary medicines in the Australian
health system (Commonwealth of Australia 2003). This review did not set out to establish the
benefits of complementary medicine. Rather, the review was constrained to issues within the
province of the Commonwealth government. To date, no objective review of the evidence for
the benefits of naturopathy and WHM has been undertaken by any Australian government
body, and the present review is therefore a first step in establishing constructive dialogue
within the field.
A major difficulty in determining the benefits of naturopathy and WHM is that these
disciplines have not been subject to systematic investigation of the manner in which the
disciplines are practised in the community. Whole practice (or whole systems) research
assesses the way that practitioners actually practice. In clinical practice, naturopaths and
Western herbalists use multiple therapeutic tools accompanied by dietary and lifestyle
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assessment and advice, patient education, and counselling. Researching a single herb or
nutrient does not reflect the whole of practice.
Whole practice research is an emerging research field within complementary medicine
(Ritenbaugh et al. 2003), and although several projects are currently being planned and
implemented, there are no data available about the efficacy or safety of these disciplines
within an holistic model. In the absence of these data, the only way to evaluate these
disciplines effectively and objectively is to focus on their major therapeutic tools. The
limitation of this approach is that the effectiveness of a specific therapeutic tool (such as a
nutrient or a herbal medicine) is an inadequate indication of the complex clinical interactions
that occur in a whole-practice setting. The major therapeutic tools used by naturopaths and
Western herbalists include Western herbal medicines, nutritional supplements, and
homeopathic preparations. In the present study, these specific therapeutic tools were the
subject of a systematic literature evaluation, which is outlined in this chapter. A more detailed
review of the literature can be found in the accompanying appendices.
It is important to note that the specific therapeutic tools reviewed in this chapter are not
used exclusively by naturopaths and Western herbalists. The use of these substances falls
under the purview of many health professions, and research in this area has generally been
undertaken outside the context of specific professional boundaries.
Homeopathy is included in this review because it is controversial within scientific
circles. Because it uses diluted preparations (and, in some cases, ultra-diluted preparations), it
is generally considered to be safe. However, because of the dilution there is concern, and in
some cases frank scepticism, about its capacity to provide any benefits. In comparison with
the lack of literature on the risks associated with homeopathy, there is a growing body of
clinical evidence that has assessed its efficacy. For these reasons, it was considered prudent to
review this literature.
This chapter thus reviews the benefits of the tools of practice of naturopathy and
WHM, and is divided into four sections: (i) a general citation review; (ii) an evaluation of the
extent of pharmacological research in herbal medicine; (iii) a literature review of herbal
medicine and nutritional supplements research; and (iv) a literature review of homeopathic
research. The methodologies used are described in each section.
Details
- Title
- A review of reviews of the benefits of naturopathy and western herbal medicine
- Creators
- Stephen P Myers - Southern Cross UniversityAlan Bensoussan - Southern Cross UniversityJoan O'Connor - Southern Cross UniversityPeta-Anne Paul-Brent - University of QueenslandDon G Baker - Southern Cross UniversityHans Wohlmuth - Southern Cross UniversityPhillip A Cheras - University of Queensland
- Contributors
- Vivian Lin (Editor of compilation)A Bensoussan (Editor of compilation)Stephen Myers (Editor of compilation) - Southern Cross University, Office of Deputy Vice Chancellor, ResearchPauline J McCabe (Editor of compilation)Marc Cohen (Editor of compilation)Sophie Hill (Editor of compilation)Genevieve Howse (Editor of compilation)
- Publication Details
- The practice and regulatory requirements of naturopathy and western herbal medicine, pp.68-96
- Comment
- https://www.yourhealthyourchoice.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Vic-govt-Practice-and-Regulatory-Requirements-of-Naturopathy-Western-Herbal-Medicine-2005.pdf
- Publisher
- School of Public Health, La Trobe University; Bundoora, Vic.
- Identifiers
- 1683; 991012822037702368
- Academic Unit
- School of Health and Human Sciences
- Resource Type
- Book chapter