Normalizers vs. Effecters
Feb 15, 2010 by Bill Rawls, M.D.
When trying to describe the broad spectrum of medicinal therapy, all the way from natural herbs up to synthetic pharmaceuticals, two descriptive, non-technical terms come to mind: “normalizers” and “effecters.”
Normalizers, as you might expect, have the ability to normalize functions in the body. They balance hormones, enhance immune function, and generally resist the forces that cause disease. Effecters, on the other hand, have direct targeted effects at specific sites in the body. They are generally used to reduce symptoms directly and prevent catastrophic events. Thought the margins are not absolute, most of the commonly used herbal and vitamin-like therapies are normalizers and most synthetic drugs are effecters. Normalizers have the very desirable attribute of inducing healing. In terms of symptom reduction, it takes longer to be effective because healing is a gradual process. Normalizers have less direct potency, but are also much less toxic than most effecters. Because the potential for toxicity is very low, normalizers generally do not have to be dosed as carefully as effecters. Even so, standardized dosing is very important for optimal results in therapy. All of the supplements found on this website are primarily normalizers, though some have mild effecter properties, but not enough to be classified as true effecters.
There are some herbs that would be specifically classified as effectors, but they are generally avoided by practitioners who use herbal therapies. It is not possible to achieve the narrow dose range necessary to keep them safe with herbal preparations. This can only be achieved with pharmaceutical grade dosing required for synthetic drugs. So, most true effecters are pharmaceuticals, as it should be.
Pharmaceuticals do have great value, but they are not the only tools in the toolbox. Though they are highly potent, pharmaceuticals have relatively high potentials for toxicity and side effects. They should be used selectively and always in combination with normalizing therapy. In my practice I use both, with an overall average ratio of 75% normalizers to 25% effectors. Since shifting to this ratio years ago, my patients tend to have better overall outcomes and are more likely to enjoy the benefits of good health.
Categories: Everyday Supplements, Herbal Therapy,
Tags(s): Adaptogens,
Previous Comments
Shelley Keitzman- Feb 16, 2010
Low toxic therapy is definitely the way to go, whenever possible! Thanks Doctor Rawls!
Bill Rawls, MD- Feb 17, 2010
Yes it is! And thank you for helping to spread the good word, Shelley! -Dr. Rawls
