The word “pharmacognosy” is derived from the ancient Greek and may be translated into “pharmakon” meaning a drug and “gnosis” meaning knowledge. This definition can give you an understanding of the perspective of those who work within this scientific field of study.

Plants are looked upon as carriers of bioactive substances which may or may not prove to be of interest or benefit. In looking at the science of pharmacognosy in relation to western herbalism many considerations come into play. One must keep an open mind and weigh the risks and benefits of such a viewpoint.

With an ever increasing number of people taking pharmaceutical medications the need to understand the constituents of the plants and their effects upon the body systems also increases. Without such comprehension there is the potential risk of unwanted interactions between drug and plant.

For example, we have come to understand that there is a chance of potentiation when taking herbal sedatives such as valerian with pharmaceutical alpha blockers. For purposes of both safety and efficacy, those who are taking herbal preparations need to possess, at minimum, a basic understanding of the biochemical processes taking place. Learn how all of the medicines you are taking, whether they are natural or developed in a lab, effect your body.

It is important to realize, however, that new studies are being released on a daily basis and that a constituent that was once thought to be the active part of a plant may lose favor as new phytochemicals are discovered. We have seen this happen with several herbs already including St. John’s Wort and Valerian.

Perhaps of greatest import is the fact that by isolating a constituent from the whole plant all of the natural buffering agents and synergistic workings are lost. Passion Flower is an excellent example of this. When it is taken as a whole plant it is known to be a gentle and effective sedative, antispasmodic and hypotensive. However, scientists have been unable to locate the single active constituent responsible for these actions. Passionflower is only effective when taken in a form that maintains its natural synergistic balance.

As John Uri Lloyd, the renowned Eclectic physician, wrote in 1914, “These aggregate masses of materials are, in their vegetable host, dovetailed together into balanced structures, each possessed of individualities of its own, but united and interlaced with the others.”.

We must not lose sight of the fact that knowledge without wisdom can be dangerous and that in order to gain true wisdom regarding botanicals, you must know the spirit of the plant as well as its physiological actions. We must not let ourselves get so lost in the scientific maze of studies that we lose sight of the whole garden. One must look beyond symptoms and individual constituents and remember that both we and the plants are whole beings.

This holistic viewpoint carries over to our relationship with the earth. If plants are looked upon solely as biochemical machines manufacturing utilizable constituents there is great risk of over harvesting and environmental damage. As it stands, it is estimated that 60,000 species of higher plants will be extinct by the year 2050. In order to promote true wellness we must never forget that we are intimately connected to our environment and all life.

As our society becomes increasingly advanced and herbal medicine becomes ever more mainstream, it will be the responsibility of each individual who practices natural healing modalities to maintain a balanced viewpoint. While it is unquestionably beneficial to be able to understand and learn from scientific research, we must be sure not to lose sight of our “roots”.