The Enduring Allure of Herbal Medicines
For as long as I can remember, plants have spoken to me, not in words, but in the quiet language of chemistry, fragrance, and healing. My fascination with herbal medicines began in the shaded corners of high school laboratories, where we dissected leaves and examined their green pigments under the microscope. Later, as a college student immersed in Botany and Chemistry, I found myself drawn to the mysteries of natural products. the subtle alchemy through which plants create compounds that sustain life, heal wounds, and sometimes, even save lives.
That early curiosity never left me. It matured and deepened as I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, focusing on Natural Products Chemistry, where the challenge was not only to identify nature’s molecular treasures but also to understand their intricate interactions with the human body. Somewhere along that path, the line between science and wonder began to blur.
Even in my professional life, during my long tenure with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and my involvement with the United States Pharmacopeia (USP), that fascination endured. I was privileged to serve for a decade on the USP Council of Experts, within the Division of Natural Products and Antibiotics. It was a place where tradition met modern science, where we balanced centuries-old herbal knowledge with the rigor of pharmacological validation. We examined herbal formulations that had been used for generations, applying the lens of analytical chemistry, safety assessment, and efficacy studies.
The challenge, of course, has always been to bridge folk wisdom and scientific evidence. Herbal medicines carry with them the wisdom of cultures, stories of healing passed from grandmother to grandchild, healer to apprentice. Yet science demands reproducibility, purity, and proof. My work often sat at the intersection of those two worlds, one rooted in trust and tradition, the other in controlled experiments and peer-reviewed data.
I often think back to my semi-autobiographical novel, Roots of Time, where the protagonist ( Dr. Derek Mendoza, Ph.D) discovers an extract that slows aging and earns a Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Though fictional, it echoes a dream shared by many scientists, to find within nature the keys to longevity and well-being. Perhaps that dream, more than anything else, reflects humanity’s enduring faith in the green pharmacy that surrounds us.
Today, as herbal supplements line the shelves of pharmacies and health stores, I remain cautiously optimistic. Many plant-based compounds, turmeric, ginseng, and echinacea, among others, continue to inspire research and promise therapeutic potential. Yet I also know, from decades of regulatory experience, that not all that is “natural” is safe or effective. The art of herbal medicine lies not only in discovery but in discernment.
What gives me hope is the emerging field of integrative medicine, where herbs and pharmaceuticals coexist, guided by evidence and respect for both tradition and science. It represents, in a way, the fulfillment of what I’ve always believed, that nature and science are not adversaries but partners in the pursuit of healing.
Looking back, I see that my journey with herbal medicines was never just about chemistry or regulation, it was about connection. To the earth. To tradition. To the timeless quest for balance between body and nature. And perhaps, in that quest, lies the truest form of medicine of all.
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- Echinacea: One of the most popular herbs globally, often used to help the body fight off colds and the flu.
- Garlic: A well-researched and widely used herbal product that may help fight germs and inflammation.
- Chamomile: Used for thousands of years to help with anxiety and insomnia due to its calming effects.
- Valerian: A classic folk medicine used for its sedative properties to help with sleep.
- Lavender: Often recommended for anxiety and stress.
- Turmeric: Used to treat inflammatory conditions like arthritis, with its active compound, curcumin, being well-recognized.
- Feverfew: Has been traditionally used for fevers, migraines, and arthritis.
- Ginger: Most known for easing nausea and motion sickness.
- Ginseng: Widely used in many countries to boost immunity and for its general medicinal properties.
- Ginkgo biloba: Used in traditional medicine, though modern studies have not proven its effectiveness for many of the ailments it's claimed to treat.
- Ashwagandha: Used in Ayurvedic medicine to help with stress, anxiety, and energy.
Last, but not least to Greg and Ruby Atienza for the following 2 Filipino dishes, they give me yesterday. I was not expecting it, so the surprise and indeed my heart-felt gratitude for their kindness and thoughtfulness,
Pork Belly Adobo with Boiled Eggs
Ginat-an na Kalabasa with sitaw and shrimps. Sautéed squash in coconut milk with beans and shrimp. Along with the 2 dishes, they gave me steam white rice. Yummy, indeed!
