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Changing the knowledge base in Western herbal medicine.
1Department of Natural and Complementary Medicine, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia. sue.evans@scu.edu.au
Social Science & Medicine (1982)
|October 28, 2008
Summary
Modernizing Western herbal medicine involves shifting from Traditional Knowledge (TK) to Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM). This transition impacts how medicinal plants are understood and impacts clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Integrative Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Medical Anthropology
Background:
- Western herbal medicine modernization aims for public acceptance and integration into contemporary healthcare.
- This involves evolving methods of presenting knowledge about medicinal plants.
- Key challenges include reconciling Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) frameworks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To contrast Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) models in herbal medicine.
- To explore complexities arising from changes in knowledge presentation, particularly concerning vitalism.
- To analyze implications for clinical practice in herbal medicine.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and Traditional Knowledge (TK) frameworks.
- Illustrative examples from historical herbals to demonstrate differing perspectives on medicinal plants.
- Content analysis of herbal therapeutics articles in the Australian Journal of Herbal Medicine.
Main Results:
- Significant differences exist in how herbs are understood within EBM and TK frameworks.
- The concept of vitalism presents a key point of divergence, with potential clinical practice implications.
- Practitioners are increasingly adopting EBM over TK in clinical discussions, as evidenced by journal publications.
Conclusions:
- The modernization of Western herbal medicine necessitates a critical examination of its knowledge systems.
- The shift towards EBM may alter the understanding and application of herbal therapeutics.
- Further research is needed to understand the long-term impact of this paradigm shift on herbal medicine practice.
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