| This has nothing to do with herbalism. But let's look at what the author of that article is claiming. "The term "preventive medicine" no longer means what it used to: keeping people well by promoting healthy habits, like exercising, eating a balanced diet and not smoking." Actually, this statement is a myth. Physicians constantly emphasize the importance of exercise, diet, not smoking, avoiding excess drinking etc. The problem is that these measures are not especially easy or convenient for lots of people, so they look for quick fixes, including prescription drugs, supplements or herbs. For every potentially unnecessary medical test or intervention, there's an unnecessary and unproven alternative medical test or therapy. We're told we need "maintenance" chiropractic adjustments, that we're plagued by nonexistent parasites, or that we're deficient in "glyconutrients" or vitamins that typically are in abundant supply in our diet. There are magical supplements or herbs that are supposed to cure almost every ill. "...know what you're taking. Research it." Absolutely. And be aware that personal attacks are not an acceptable substitute for facts and evidence-based healing. | 
