Greetings!:
What Does the Bible Say About Natural Health Practices, Herbs, Etc.? The scriptures reveal that God has made provisions for man to enjoy good health. In Genesis 1:29, God said "Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed...and every tree, in which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." Man was designed by his Creator to eat the herbs of the land. An herb is any edible vegetation. Yet it is clear that man does not eat every herb - only those that "taste good." Thus, man omits from his prescribed diet foods that may be bitter but which are thought to dissolve tumors, cleanse and relax the body. Foods, which are sour, are known to tighten, tone and constrict loose spongy tissues in the body. Foods which taste hot stimulate the metabolic actions of the body. God has provided but man has pursued foods, which are sweet, aromatic, easy to prepare and are easily preserved. No wonder sickness, lack of energy and vitality abound on much of the earth.
In Revelation 22:2 there is a tree (not a pharmacy) that has leaves for the healing of the nations. The Scriptures are full of instances where foods (herbs) were used in the Divine order of the restoration of health.
God's "pharmacy" consists of foods (plant life as mentioned in Genesis) not drugs. In fact, drugs are in disrepute throughout the Scriptures. The Greek word "pharmakeia" from which we get pharmacy is translated "sorcerers" which means those who are enchanted with drugs (page 916 of Young's Analytical Concordance to the Bible). Note: Revelation 9:21 where the making of drugs (sorceries) is likened to the sins of murder, fornication and theft; Revelation 18:23 where sorceries deceive all nations; Revelation 21:8 where sorceries are likened to unbelievers, the abominable, murders, whoremongers, idolaters and liars; Revelation 22:15 where sorcerers are likened to dogs, whoremongers, murder and idolaters. Webster's Seventh New Collegiate Dictionary reports on page 633 "pharmacy, pharmakon, magic, charm, poison and drugs." It is obvious that the mixing of drugs in Biblical times was not the esteemed practice that it is today and raises the question of whether drugs have a part in God's plan for maintaining the health of His creation. Certainly natural herbs ,which have no side effects, bad effects or after effects are the tools of good health.
By design, good sanitary and dietary practices were of the utmost importance in the Scriptures. The Hebrew children escaped many plagues and much havoc due to obedience to sanitary principles alone. The major advances in health in the U.S. and in civilized nations are due primarily to good sanitary practices rather than the result of drugs.
Faith is a primary ingredient in good health. "For without faith the people perish." Paul, the apostle admonishes the Philippians to "let this mind be in you" (2:25). We are to put into our minds healthy thoughts. "Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report...think on these things." The wisest man who ever lived (King Solomon) said "Hope deferred makes the heart sick (Proverbs 13:12). Herring's Law of Cure says that man heals from the top down and from the inside out. From the top down certainly means from the head or mind. Right belief brings right living.
Based on this information, you can be the judge - Herbs created by God or Pharmakeia created by man??? We all have choices to make. Why not try the things that our Creator created for us to be healed by first?