The Journal of the American College of Cardiology reports in its latest edition that herbal products can be harmful, dangerous and deadly if mixed with the wonderful drugs manufactured by Big Pharma and subsequently prescribed by millions of doctors. While it is truthful, that wantonly mixing herbs and prescription drugs is something that should be done with great care and caution, the ultimate tone of the report and news coverage in the video below, is one that suggests herbs are bad and herbs are deadly!!!

The emphasis in the reporting insinuates that herbs are the root cause of the harm and death which sometime can occur when people consume herbs and prescription drugs together. While this is not explicitly spoken in the reporting, the negative inference and undertone of this news report is modestly subtle, but present.

In 1990 and 1997 there were 2 national studies done which also criticized and warned the public (for our own good of course) that taking herbs and supplements are dangerous and deadly. But what the news media and these “prestigious” medical journals never tell you is who actually funds these studies that show how “DEADLY and “HARMFUL” herbal products are. Often times, if one does some sniffing around, you will find that the vast majority of these studies are funded directly or indirectly by Big Pharma! Wow!!! How surprising!!! Ya think perhaps maybe there is a major conflict of interest somewhere???

If the media whores and medical journals doing reporting such as this had any real integrity and genuine interest in public health and welfare, they would blatantly disclose in their reporting the source of their funding. Fact of the matter is, this news video below and medical journals and others like it, should at the very least have the good judgment and balance in their reporting to clearly state that any substance, be it herbal or prescription drugs, if used in careless and abusive manner, may cause harm or death.

To their credit, in this news report, Dr. Douglas MacKay, does mention that people can reduce or eliminate the potential risk of herbal and drug interactions by simply conferring with their doctor about all the herbs and supplements they are taking. I think this was a good and responsible statement on the part of Dr. MacKay. The news report also admits that herbs have centuries long track record of benefits, but that more study is needed to fully understand the possible harms when taking herbs interactively with prescription medication. Hip hip hooray for that.

I would add to Dr. MacKay’s comments by saying, most doctors who are involved in conventional practice, have very little knowledge and training in herbology. In my humble opinion, for anyone who takes supplements and herbs, rather than consult with your family doctor on matters relating to supplements and herbs, if possible, you would be much better served to consult with a doctor who is well trained and versed in both conventional and natural medicine. Doing this will ensure you’re getting the benefit of both disciplines in an integrative fashion. I do believe it is imperative and prudent for everyone to careful research the herbal products the consume. Consulting with a natural doctor well trained in herbology is advisable.

Wholesome Healthy Prescription Drugs - Take Your Pick

Have said all that…as you proceed to watch the propaganda news footage below whose purpose is to cast aspersions on the consumption of herbs, be sure to consider the follow facts which show how wonderful and safe prescription drugs are.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (a.k.a. JAMA) in a report released in 2000 showing that doctors and Big Pharma are far far far more dangerous and deadly to your heath than any herb and supplement. As you review the numbers below, bear in mind the source! Consider that perhaps these number provided by JAMA may actually be very understated. But nonetheless, here are the statistics showing doctors to be the 3rd leading cause of non-injury/disease related death in the USA.

DEATHS PER YEAR (250,000):

• 12,000 – unnecessary surgery (8)
• 7,000 – medication errors in hospitals (9)
• 20,000 – other errors in hospitals (10)
• 80,000 – infections in hospitals (10)
• 106,000 – non-error, negative effects of drugs

Another analysis concluded that between 4% and 18% of patients experience negative effects in outpatient settings, with:

• 116 million extra physician visits
• 77 million extra prescriptions
• 17 million emergency department visits
• 8 million hospitalizations
• 3 million long-term admissions
• 199,000 additional deaths
• $77 billion in extra costs

And don’t get me started on the 100,000+ deaths annually in the USA, caused by the poison sold by Big Pharma and pushed by white coats (medical doctors) daily all over the nation!!! In 1998, JAMA published another report on how WONDERFULLY DEADLY prescription drugs can be. Now mind you, this report dealt with patients in hospitals who where given their prescribed poisons. Can you imagine what the number’s are today? If the numbers reported by the JAMA are to be embraced at face value, it should publicized as a truly magnificent threat to the public health and welfare. Yet instead, if and when such info is reported in press, it’s presented in a matter of fact par for the course type of tone. But on the flip side of the coin, when we encounter reporting on the EVILS and DANGERS of herbs and supplements, the reporting is presented in a manner to impart the belief that herbs and supplements pose this grave danger and threat to the public health, when in fact it is drug pushing by Big Pharma and the white coats who pose a far more grave threat to the public’s health and well being.

Don’t get me wrong, I do believe that in acute situations, there is a time and place for certain prescription drugs. When addressing certain acute circumstances of a patient, prescription drugs can make the difference between life and death. However, when you begin to really consider the death tolls emanating from the Big Pharma and the white coats (medical doctors) one would think that the news media and government would be loudly sounding the alarm bells and establishing a “WAR ON CONVENTIONAL MEDICINE“. But instead we see this never ending propaganda war waged by the mainstream media and Big Pharma, perpetually denouncing natural medicine, supplements and herbs. I wonder why that is???

Bottom line is, those of us who are passionate about natural and holistic health, should always view such news reports as the one below, through our CUI BONO (who benefits) glasses. Always remember to ask yourself, who benefits from publicizing and funding such reports that reveal how “HARMFUL & DEADLY” herbs are???

Considering the facts…I think I’ll take my chances with natural medicine, holistic medicine, herbs and supplements any day over Big Pharma drugs!

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Authored by: Michael Casals
© 2010 Holistic Wellness Podcast-Michael Casals
All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed, in whole or in part, unless this copyright notice and a link back to this original article is included.