The Risks of Self-Diagnosing and internet herbal advice
In our fast-paced digital world, where social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram reign supreme, it’s easier than ever to access health advice—sometimes to our detriment. Among trending topics, herbal remedies have gained large popularity, with influencers touting their benefits for various conditions. However, blindly adopting these recommendations without understanding the underlying principles can lead to unintended consequences. Let’s explore why self-diagnosing and using herbal advice from the internet is risky, using the ever so popular Ashwagandha as an example.
If you frequent any social-media platform, you may have witnessed the claims that this herb has performed miracles in curing depression, fatigue, insomnia. balancing blood-sugar levels and so on. While some of this may be true for some people, what needs to be spoken about is how dangerous these overgeneralized claims can be.
From the standpoint of someone who has studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbs for the past four years, what I know for sure is that there is not a single herb that is a “cure all”, and that is okay! What makes herbs so special is that they can not only be tailored to each individual but also they are our best diagnostic tools. In the simplest terms, they communicate directly with the practitioner through the patient. So, let’s talk about ashwagandha from a Chinese Medicine perspective.
Ashwagandha in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)
Although this herb is not a traditional Chinese herb, it can be understood through the lens of TCM principles. Ashwagandha is considered warming and tonifying, particularly for the Kidney and Yang energies. It might be recommended in TCM for issues like:
Fatigue: Boosting depleted energy levels (Qi and Yang deficiency).
Weakness: Supporting the Kidney essence (Jing).
Stress and Anxiety: Calming the mind by nourishing the Heart and Shen.
This makes sense when considering the success stories we have observed on social media; but what about the other end of that? What about the individuals that ashwagandha did not help? For instance, a person with heat signs or Yin deficiency might not respond well to ashwagandha due to its warming nature, potentially exacerbating their condition!
Marketing anything as a one-size-fits-all solution for stress, anxiety, or any ailment completely ignores the broader context of holistic health:
Individual Constitution: In TCM, herbs are prescribed based on an individual’s unique constitution and imbalances. What works for one person could harm another.
Underlying Conditions: Stress can stem from various root causes—Qi stagnation, Yin deficiency, or Blood deficiency, various root causes means various treatment strategies
Dosage and Quality: social media rarely discusses dosage, sourcing, or preparation methods, all of which are crucial for safe and effective use.
Risks of Self-Diagnosing
Misdiagnosis: Without a thorough understanding of your body’s needs, you risk exacerbating imbalances. Self-awareness and a strong mind-body connection is absolutely necessary, but when it comes to diagnosis, communicate those concerns with a professional.
Herb-Drug Interactions: Herbs may interact with medications, such as sedatives, thyroid treatments, blood pressure medications, etc., leading to adverse effects.
Masking Symptoms: Using herbs without addressing the root cause can delay proper diagnosis and treatment.
Herbal Medicine is powerful
Consult a Professional: Seek advice from a licensed acupuncturist, herbalist, or other practitioner who can assess your unique needs.
Understand Your Body: Learn about your constitution and imbalances through a qualified practitioner.
Question Social Media Claims: Be skeptical of oversimplified advice. Not every trend is suitable for everyone.
