Herbal Horse Care

Last time I introduced you to the history of Western Herbal Medicine up to Avicenna, whose book “Canon Medicinae” brought together information about the diseases, drugs and medical theories known to the Arab world.  This text was first translated into Latin in the 12′h century, a Hebrew version appeared in 1491, and the Arabic text in 1593 – only the second text ever to be printed in Arabic.

It is after Avicenna that things become interesting as Europe entered the Rennaisance. Artist started to study human anatomy, and particularly the function of muscles and the ‘natural sciences’ started to develop. With this though, the old traditions started to questioned, and though no abrupt change of medical thought occurred,  there was mounting criticism directed against Galen and Avincenna.

Paracelsus 1493-1541 AD, was one physician who vehemently rejected the traditional teachings of Aristotle, Galen and Avicenna. Paracelsus rejected the thought that disease was caused by an internal imbalance of bodily ‘humours’ or fluids, and that they would be cured by blood letting and purging, instead he assumed that disease attacks from without.

Paracelsus identified the characteristics of numerous diseases, and used ingredients such as sulphur and mercury compounds to counter them. He also devised mineral remedies with which, he thought, the body could defend itself  against the exteral onslaught of disease and many of his remedies were based on the doctrine that ‘what makes a man ill also cures him’, and in this respect his method could be seen as a precursor to homoeopathy, though others see him as the father of modern medical practices.

In the late 18th century, the German physician Samuel Hahnemann developed his system of homoeopathy. This system is based on the assumption that ‘like cures like’, that is, whatever produces the symptoms of an illness will also cure it, if it is given in very small dosages and includes mineral as well as herbal substances.mHahnemann used based tinctures which he diluted to develop various dilutions. You may have seen some of homeopathic preparations which are marked 6x or 10x, this is the dilution rate of the original (mother) tincutre. To get those dilution Hahenmann diluted his mother tincture, then from that tincture (the 1x tincuture), he would dilute again making the 2x, and so on.  As you can see, by the time you get to 6x it is quite dilute. Hahnemann, at his time, was ridiculed as no one believed that such dilutions could be effective,  though today Homeopathy is a very popular form of alternative therapy with proven health benefits.

For Western Herbal Medicine though, Samual Thomson is an important figure. He is the ‘founder’ of  ‘Thomsonianism’ out of which its modern form, Physiomedicalism, developed. Thomson believed that the ‘Vital Force’ was connected with the state of health a person was in, and reasoned that an imbalance of ‘Vital Force’ was the cause of disease and to cure disease balance had to be restored.

Thomson aided the ‘Vital Force’ by first detoxifying the body by promoting vomiting and increased bowel movements, as well as promoting sweating with vapour baths to aid elimination of toxins via the skin. This was a very heroic apporach and could drain ‘Vital Force’ if the actions of those emetics, enemics and diaphoretics went uncontrolled, so Thomson supported the ‘Vital Force’ by administering herbs that enhance, control and support. Thomson achieved some outstanding results with his treatment methods, achieving cures where orthodox physicians of his time failed.

Thomson did receive quite some criticism about his style of treatment due to the profuse vomiting, sweating and bowel elimination he promoted, as it put a lot of strain on ‘Vital Force’ and out of that criticism ‘Physiomedicalism’ developed. I will let you know a bit more about that in the final installment of the history of western herbal medicine.