Most of the ills that afflict us are the result of imbalances or deficiencies in more than one organ (liver, pancreas, kidneys, etc) or body system (cardiovascular, respiratory, nervous, endocrine, etc), and problems in one area may have far-reaching repercussions: for example, pancreatic deficiency may affect the autonomic nervous system, contributing to chronic respiratory tract problems. For this reason an extensive review of the patient’s medical history needs to be carried out, as well as a thorough physical examination, in order to get the maximum possible information about the patient’s internal dynamics.
This detailed and rigorous clinical approach finds its fullest expression in the endobiogeny of Drs Duraffourd and Lapraz, two French GPs who have explored the role of the neuroendocrine system in the maintenance of health and development of disease. They also developed a series of computerised indexes (the ‘Biology of Functions’), derived from standard blood tests, that provide a detailed and objective mapping of the body’s functional dynamics. These tests are particularly useful in the case of very serious or chronic disease.
The complex and multi-faceted nature of the agents that disrupt normal physiological processes is perfectly matched by the complex and multi-faceted nature of the pharmacological activities of medicinal plants, which is why we consider that whole plant extracts are an ideal medium for helping us maintain or restore balance in the human organism.