Why Herbal Assessment Is a Critical Skill for Holistic Nurses
Herbs Are Medicine—But Are You Asking the Right Questions?
As holistic nurses and integrative practitioners, we often celebrate the power of natural remedies—but herbs aren’t harmless just because they’re “natural.” In fact, understanding herbal pharmacology is a vital skill for any holistic nurse providing evidence-based, whole-person care.
With the increased use of herbal supplements, teas, tinctures, functional foods, and topical herbal preparations, it’s more important than ever to assess clients thoroughly. Not doing so could put them at risk for serious herb-drug interactions—or limit the benefits of both.
Why Herbal Assessment Is a Critical Skill for Holistic Nurses
Herbs can support healing and restore balance—but they are pharmacologically active. Many herbs influence the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) system in the liver, the same enzymatic pathway that metabolizes most pharmaceutical drugs. This means herbs can either reduce or enhance drug function, delay elimination, or increase absorption of prescription medications.
For example:
St. John’s Wort may reduce the effectiveness of antidepressants, oral contraceptives, or blood thinners.
Ginger or turmeric may increase the absorption of some anti-inflammatory medications—or raise bleeding risk when used with anticoagulants.
Topical preparations like arnica gels or essential oil salves may seem benign, but they still enter the bloodstream and may interact with medications or cause sensitization reactions.
Ask These Key Herbal Use Assessment Questions
To safely guide clients, it’s crucial to go beyond “Are you taking any medications?” Here are nurse-approved questions that help uncover hidden herb use:
Who are your healthcare providers? (Some acupuncturists, naturopathic doctors, or herbalists may prescribe herbal formulas.)
Do you take any multivitamins or supplements? (Many include herbal blends like ginseng, ashwagandha, or green tea extract.)
Are you using any pre-workout powders or drinks? (Commonly contain caffeine, yohimbe, or bitter orange—all herbs with cardiovascular effects.)
Do you drink herbal teas? (Chamomile, licorice, dandelion—all may have medicinal effects.)
Do you eat any “functional foods”? (Such as turmeric lattes, mushroom powders, adaptogenic smoothies?)
Do you apply any topical salves, creams, or essential oils? (Herbs via skin can still interact systemically.)
Herbs Have Pharmacologic Power—And a Medical Legacy
Pharmacology and herbal medicine are deeply intertwined. Many of today’s most-used drugs were derived from plants:
Digitalis from foxglove, used for heart conditions
Vincristine from periwinkle, used in chemotherapy
Metformin from French lilac, used for type 2 diabetes
These examples underscore that herbal constituents are potent—and working with them responsibly means understanding their mechanisms, interactions, and routes of entry.
Empower Your Nursing Practice with Herbal Pharmacology
Holistic nursing demands more than just intuitive care—it calls for clinical precision. As nurses, we are ethically responsible for ensuring the herbs our clients use are both safe and effective, especially when combined with pharmaceuticals.
Want to deepen your knowledge and safely guide clients with herbal remedies?
Join our Herbal Pharmacology for Nurses, a 3-hour professional training designed specifically for nurses and holistic practitioners. You'll gain the confidence to assess, educate, and support your clients using herbs through a functional and pharmacologic lens. Sign up today!