Traditional Knowledge of Western Herbal Medicine and Complex Systems Science
Authors
Kathryn FNP-BC
aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine The University of Arizona College of Medicine 1450 N Cherry Avenue, MS 245052 Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
Iris PhD
aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine The University of Arizona College of Medicine 1450 N Cherry Avenue, MS 245052 Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
Mary CNS-BC
aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine The University of Arizona College of Medicine 1450 N Cherry Avenue, MS 245052 Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
Keywords:
Western herbal medicine, Traditional herbal medicine, Herbal Medicine, Phytotherapy, Traditional knowledge, Complex adaptive systems
Abstract
Traditional knowledge of Western herbal medicine (WHM) supports experiential approaches to healing that have evolved over time. This is evident in the use of polyherb formulations comprised of crude plant parts, individually tailored to treat the cause of dysfunction and imbalance by addressing the whole person holistically. The challenge for WHM is to integrate science with traditional knowledge that is a foundation of the practice of WHM. The purpose of this paper is to provide a plausible theoretical hypothesis by applying complex systems science to WHM, illustrating how medicinal plants are complex, adaptive, environmentally interactive systems exhibiting synergy and nonlinear healing causality. This paper explores the conceptual congruence between medicinal plants and humans as complex systems coherently coupled through recurrent interaction. Complex systems science provides the theoretical tenets that explain traditional knowledge of medicinal plants while supporting clinical practice and expanding research and documentation of WHM.
Keywords: Western herbal medicine, Traditional herbal medicine, Herbal Medicine, Phytotherapy, Traditional knowledge, Complex adaptive systems
Author Biographies
Iris PhD
, aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine The University of Arizona College of Medicine 1450 N Cherry Avenue, MS 245052 Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
bCollege of Nursing University of Arizona 1305 N. Martin, PO Box 210203 Tucson, AZ 85721-0203 USA
Mary CNS-BC
, aDepartment of Family and Community Medicine The University of Arizona College of Medicine 1450 N Cherry Avenue, MS 245052 Tucson, AZ 85719 USA
bCollege of Nursing University of Arizona 1305 N. Martin, PO Box 210203 Tucson, AZ 85721-0203 USA
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