LEAVE US THE LIBERTY OF HERBAL MEDICINE

COMMERCIAL scientists are beginning to take an interest in plants
which have been long known for their healing properties (bluebells
which have been used to treat leprosy and TB, diseases which originate
from the same bacteria, are now being investigated).

Their interest could point to the fundamental reason why the market
for herbal remedies is to be exploited and eventually overrun (common
methods used on conquering nations) by tactics of legal restriction by
legal testing and licensing which, if contravened, means fines or
prison terms.

This will create a substantial financial burden on the suppliers of
herbal products, propelling these products from a safe, inexpensive
alternative to cheap, probably genetically engineered, mass produced,
chemical concoctions, that will have been tested on thousands of
animals, (on the assumption that if it doesn't kill a rabbit, or a
dog, or a cow, it's OK for humans), and which for some reason are
readily acceptable to a great majority of people.

Choice will soon become a six letter word. If the interest of
commercial scientists in plants is born from concerns of health and
healing, why is the destruction of four fifths of the earth's coverage
of fauna and flora in progress? Why does the majority of life on earth
have no access to safe water? Why is there widespread use of toxic
chemicals?

Why is our environment in danger of becoming untenable? Surely mere
financial status and profit can't be the reason?

What goes around, comes around: commercialised drugs are themselves a
symptom of the unhealthy states of over consumerism, fast living, get
rich quick, which exist in our society today. The objectives of these
drugs are to fast blast whatever illness has been caused by the
resultant pollution of our air and water, without taking into the
slightest account the damaged ecological framework which has caused
the illness.

In stark contrast, herbal medicines are administered by taking into
account these circumstances, with the aims of restoring balance and
health. This option deserves support and preservation.

Jane Welford,
Animal Rights & Welfare,
Community Co-Op Centre,
Scariff,
Co Clare.