Introduction to Herbal Medicine

We use herbs as a core healing modality at Sarasota Medical Natural Healing Center since the 1970s. Dr. Majercin has hand picked or created from scratch the specific formulas we use to restore health to people. The herbs are are grown and processed the right way; from selecting the seeds, preparing the soil, hand picking the weeds versus pesticide use, harvesting on the day of maximum potency, processing the herbs the same day harvested to keep all the phyto-nutrients intacked. 

Herbs have been used as medicine in every culture in every corner of the world throughout history. Ancient written texts as well as oral traditions have passed on the knowledge and wisdom of the past, to be scrutinized by the rigors of 21st century science. Herbs do not actually heal you; instead they change physiologic function and structure and facilitate your own healing. 

Most people interested in herbal remedies take an allopathic approach to herbs, where they simply want to treat symptoms of an imbalance. They want to replace their prescription drug with a herbal formula. While this herbal approach is commonly less toxic, less expensive, less additive, and has less side effects (prescription drugs properly prescribed are the 4th leading cause of death in the U.S.), this approach may not treat true causes of the disease. After all no herb can cure a bad diet, no exercise, misalignments throughout the body, and emotional distresses of your own creation. It is up to you to do what you already know you need to do. While using herbs to treat symptoms to ease pain and provide comfort is a good thing, the best use of herbs is to treat the underlying causes of illness.

Historically and even today, most of the world relies on herbal medicines as a primary health choice. China, a country holding about one third of the world’s population, finds more than half the citizens using Chinese herbal medicines as their primary medicine. When I was working in a hospital in Zigong, China, I asked the medical physicians there how many people were prescribed Traditional Chinese herbal medicine versus prescription drugs, and the answer was herbal at about 9 to 1. When some of the Chinese physicians, M.D.s, were speaking to me in their limited use of English, they would interchange the word, “poison”, for western prescription drugs.  In their own  words, they described the use of traditional herbs as being restorative to health, and there primary purpose as a physician being to restore people to health. I found that to be strikingly different than what medical doctors generally practice in the U.S.

Germany covers many herbal products under their health insurance program. In India, the government supports research and education in traditional Ayurvedic herbal medicine. Russians rely on herbal adaptagens to get them through their day. Japanese pharmacies have herbal sections prominently displayed in the front of their stores. Medicinal herbs are found throughout European pharmacies as a common alternative to drugs. An odd American paradigm exists that view herbal medicine as “alternative” and “Eastern“. It is even more bizarre that the American pharmaceutical Industry was founded on herbs, and future cancer cures are being sought in herbs throughout the world.

What are liquid herbal extracts?

Liquid herbal extracts are fresh or dried herbs that have been processed in a liquid medium such as alcohol and water. The medium is used to extract the active components of the herb, as well as to preserve the herb. Because the herb’s active components have been separated from its indigestible cellulose, liquid extracts are often absorbed up to 40% better than capsules or tablets and are faster acting. Tasting the herbs also facilitates additional biochemical and digestive action to support the herbs’ assimilation and function.

Why do you use alcohol?

We use alcohol as our solvent because it is non-toxic (in small doses) and because it extracts the components from an herb better than water, glycerine or your own digestion. Also, many active constituents are not water or glycerine soluble. This allows for better assimilation and success with herbs. Each dose contains about as much alcohol as a ripe banana. If desired, the alcohol can be removed by putting the dose in boiling water and letting it sit for a few minutes.

Yes, we do have alcohol free extracts. However, our alcohol free extracts are first extracted in alcohol. Then, the alcohol is carefully removed and replaced with glycerine and a small amount of clover honey. Our glycerites are full potency extracts. And they taste good!

Are your herbs organic?

All the herbs are ecologically wildcrafted, organically grown, or imported. They are custom picked by skilled botanists and herbalists to assure supreme quality at the peak of their season with sensitivity to the environment. We spare no expense in obtaining the best herbs available. Our herbs are never fumigated or irradiated.

How are the herbal formulas made?

The fresh plant extracts are macerated within 12-48 hours from harvest while the dry plant extracts are ground minutes before extraction and are cold drip percolated, all to exacting standards to maximize potency. Alcohol and water are used to extract the most difficult to digest biochemical compounds. All FDA good manufacturing procedures are followed in a microbiologically clean environment. GMP certified