Not all herbs are for all people...March 2026
- Kat Dunham
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Where have the last two months gone? Between the start of the new year, and digging out from our most recent snowstorm, January and February have just flown by.
Recently, and thoughout the past couple of months, I've had alot of client inquiries about WHY the echinacea that they picked up for a cold, or ashwagandha they picked up for energy has been making them feel worse?
To answer that question is to look at the individual with the issue, and their personal medical history.
You can't turn a corner today without a recommendation and promise of healing from one natural product or another.
This herb will help lower blood pressure, or such and such a vitamin will help to reduce cholesterol. Herbal sleep aides, tonics, and supplements galore to heal the body.
Now, don't get me wrong, being a practicing herbalist I work with these products everyday.
The problem isn't necessarily the product, as much as it is a question as to whether its the right one for your personal chemistry.
Folks are quick to try anything that will make them feel better.
If it's natural, it can't do any harm, right?
Sadly, not true, and very misunderstood.
Natural protocols are just that, a protocol set up for the individual person and the current dysregulation in their body.
A client may come to me with a combination of issues, and may currently be taking medications that they have been on for years.
Plant remedies have been around for centuries, and have been used successfully by practioners to aide in the healing of certain and specific issues, but, there can be issues with interactions between a medication someone is on and a specific herb they may be taking.
We all know the amazing benefits of turmeric on inflammation in the body, but for folks taking a blood thinning medication, it can have a draw back of thinning the blood even more due to its anticoagulant properties, so not necessarily a great pairing.
I mentioned echinacea in the beginning of this because there for a while it was the number one herbal supplement that people turned to when they wanted to "boost" their immunity, and felt they might be coming down with a cold.
The problem is, that can sometimes turn in to a disaster if the person is currently dealing with an autoimmune disease.
There has been a lot of controversy regarding plants like echinacea and elderberry as to whether or not they are good to take if you have an already overstimulated immune system.
The question being, do they "boost" immunity, or "regulate" it?
I have been around many heated discussions with practitioners regarding this topic.
The same question has been asked about ashwagandha.
When working with anyone with an autoimmune issue, I have always found it best to search out the immune modulating herbs with the constituents that pertain to that individuals specific situation.
I guess what I'm trying to say through all of this is that we, as individuals are not all created the same. We each have our own special chemistry's which can sometime affect how an herb works in our body. Two people with the same issue may take the same herbal formula, and it very well can react differently on each of them.
So how do we know whats best?
My advice, for what its worth...
Research. Don't just jump on the newest product that's being pushed all over social media, or wherever the marketing seems to be happening.
Educate yourself.
I know your doctor's tell you not to "Google", but the truth is when you dig deeply enough, and not just settle for the what the first page tells you, you may find the answers you're looking for.
Compare studies, find a practitioner your confident in, and ask the questions. A lot of them.
Know your body, and what's actually going on with it. Don't be afraid to go into your doctor's appointment with a list of questions, and take notes as they answer them.
Don't be shy about asking a question about those answers.
Medication can have side effects, herbal supplements can sometimes exacerbate that.
Then there is the natural protocol that can work along with medications or chemotherapies to help and support the body through the treatments as well as help with the detoxification of the body after the treatments are completed.
The idea is to know what you're going to put into your body and if its the right choice for YOU.
Nothing turns a person off of natural products like a bad experience.
When working with natural protocol, its like a puzzle. All the pieces have to come together for you to have the results you're looking for.
Don't make the mistake of slapping an herbal bandaid on an issue. The idea behind herbalism is to help support the body's natural healing process with the right combination of herbs, vitamins, and minerals.
Get to the root cause of WHY your body is doing what its doing. Be curious.
Plants are alot like people. No two are exactly alike. The medicine they hold is all dependent on how and where they're grown. How their treated once harvested. HOW they were harvested.
What process did they go through to become the form they are when you take them?
With vitamin supplements It's always a good idea to take a bit of time when choosing one.
Is what your seeking actually in the ingredients? What about the "other" ingredients? Fillers, and flow agents.
Don't be afraid to be a supplement snob.
Have you ever looked at the ingredients on a bottle of supplements and it looks as though it holds everything but the kitchen sink? Ever wonder how they got all of that into one tiny pill?
Look at the RDA-recommended daily amount. Is it in there?
Don't be shy about really studying the label.
For those of you who really want a deep dive, there is always checking out the MSDS (Material data safety sheets). If there is an additive your not familiar with, this site will have its information.
When you swallow that vitamin D tablet, or that handful of vitamin C remember, you're also taking in the "other" ingredients as well.
How do those ingredients work in your body? Do they affect your immune system? Congest your liver/lymphatic system? Will they affect the medication you're currently taking?
Are they whole food based? Synthetic? What is the base of the suppement's main ingredient, and is it the right one for what your trying to achieve?
I do hope dear reader, that this babbling of mine has helped you to take your health journey, whether it be allopathic, or natural into your own hands a bit more.
It's your body, why should'nt you know what's going into it and how it actually works?
With allopathic medication, make sure there are no contradictions with what your practioner is giving you and what you may already be on.
Again, be curious.
Don't be afraid to ask the questions.
Do the research. Dig Deep.
Remember, there's only one beautiful you.
Just a bit of a tease for my next rambling...
Winter is a time for the low vitamin D level.
I have seen folks taking 5000 IU of vitamin D3 everyday, but their D stays low, why?
Did you know that certain vitamin levels work in synergy with each other, and without one, the other won't be processed properly in the body?
I'll fill you in next time.
Wishing you all many blessings!
-Kat
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