A science-backed perspective on the body’s relationship with plant-based and manufactured remedies

At Root & Remedy, we believe that Wellness Begins Within. True healing doesn’t start in a factory—it starts in the body, with support from remedies that the body already understands.

The use of plant medicine has been documented for thousands of years, and in many cultures is rooted in practices that go back throughout human civilization. Healers have existed in every known society, using plant-based practices that extend far beyond written history.

But as pharmaceutical science advanced, many of these holistic approaches were replaced by standardized, mass-produced medications. While manufactured medicine can be life-saving in acute situations, it doesn’t always work with the body’s natural processes, and that difference matters.

This article explores why the body can struggle with manufactured drugs, how plant medicine aligns with human physiology, and why prevention is often more powerful than reaction.

The information in this article is based on established scientific understanding of human biology, detoxification, and traditional healing systems. It is not intended to diagnose or treat disease, but to provide thoughtful education rooted in both science and history.

Why the Body Can Struggle with Manufactured Drugs

Manufactured drugs are often synthetic or chemically modified compounds designed for stability, scalability, and shelf life. Before most of these compounds can be used or eliminated, they must pass through the liver for modification—a process known as biotransformation.

Think of the body like a lock, and medicine like a key. Plant-based remedies often come with the right key cut, fitting directly into the body’s receptors. Manufactured drugs, on the other hand, often arrive as prodrugs—keys that don’t quite fit. The liver must first “cut” them into the correct shape before they can be used.

This process involves:

● Phase I detoxification: the molecule is oxidized and often made more reactive by enzymes like cytochrome P450.

● Phase II detoxification: it’s then bound to compounds like glutathione, sulfate, or methyl groups to make it water-soluble and excretable. If the liver is overwhelmed, or if the person has genetic variants like MTHFR (the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene) or chronic inflammation, unprocessed material can accumulate in tissues, contributing to toxic load.

More Than Just the Drug: Additives and Dyes

Most pharmaceutical products contain non-active ingredients added for industrial reasons, such as pill structure, shelf life, or branding. These include:

● Propylene glycol – a solvent used in injectable and oral medications

● Sodium benzoate – a preservative in syrups and chewables

● Magnesium stearate – a flow agent used to keep tablets from sticking during production

● FD&C Yellow No. 5 and Red 40 – synthetic dyes used to visually distinguish pills

While these compounds may be tolerable in small amounts, they must still be processed by the liver and kidneys. In sensitive individuals, or those with compromised detox capacity, they may contribute to fatigue, inflammation, or immune stress.

Can the Body Handle All This? Sometimes—But Not Always.

Healthy individuals often process these substances without noticeable side effects. But for those with:

● Chronic illness

● Genetic detox limitations

● Environmental toxin exposure

● Nutrient deficiencies …even small, repeated exposures to synthetic compounds or additives may tip the balance toward systemic stress.

This is why plant-based remedies often make more sense: they work with the body’s natural rhythm instead of adding friction.

Prevention vs. Reaction: A Rooted Principle of Wellness

Systems like Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) have always emphasized the importance of staying balanced, before symptoms turn into disease. TCM uses subtle, early-warning diagnostic tools like tongue and facial diagnosis, and formulates personalized herbal remedies to address the whole person.

At Root & Remedy, we believe that maintaining health is more effective than catching up after it’s lost. Plant medicine supports that philosophy, helping restore harmony before more aggressive interventions become necessary.

From Root to Drug: A Historical Look at 3 Pharmaceutical Conversions

1. White Willow Bark → Aspirin (Bayer AG, Felix Hoffmann)

● Original Use: White willow bark was used for centuries for pain and inflammation, due to its natural salicin content.

● Pharmaceutical Form: In 1899, Felix Hoffmann, a chemist at Bayer AG, chemically modified salicin into acetylsalicylic acid—branded as aspirin.

● Impact: While effective, aspirin lacks the natural buffers of the whole plant and can irritate the digestive tract.

2. Foxglove → Digoxin (William Withering, academic medicine)

● Original Use: The foxglove plant (Digitalis purpurea) was used in Europe to support heart rhythm.

● Pharmaceutical Form: In 1785, William Withering, a British physician, documented its effects in treating heart conditions. The isolated form, digoxin, was later standardized in the 20th century.

● Impact: Digoxin is powerful, but with a narrow safety window and higher risk of toxicity compared to the balanced whole plant.

3. Poppy → Morphine & OxyContin (Purdue Pharma, Richard Sackler)

● Original Use: The opium poppy was used in ancient medicine for pain and sedation.

● Pharmaceutical Form: Morphine was first isolated by Friedrich Sertürner in 1805. Later, Purdue Pharma, under the direction of Richard Sackler and the Sackler family, developed and aggressively marketed OxyContin, a time-released synthetic opioid.

● Impact: The isolation and commercialization of opioid compounds contributed directly to the U.S. opioid crisis.

These examples show a pattern: rooted remedies were reduced to isolated, industrialized products sometimes effective, but often less safe and less compatible with the body.

Why Plant Medicine Still Makes the Most Sense

Plant medicine arrives ready to be used, often requiring no liver modification. It comes with natural co-factors, built-in detoxifiers, and balancing elements that support the whole body. TCM formulas are handcrafted not only for effect, but for harmony, personalization, and long-term support.

Unlike pharmaceuticals, these remedies don’t try to dominate the body, they work in relationship with it. And that’s why, for many people, they’re not just safer, they’re smarter.

Conclusion

Modern drugs have their place. But they shouldn’t be the starting point for wellness. At Root & Remedy, we focus on what the body already knows: that healing works best

when it’s rooted in nature, personalized to the individual, and respectful of the body’s natural wisdom.

Wellness doesn’t begin in a lab.

Wellness Begins Within.