Background
The concept of toxidromes is essential.
Consider the two alternative scenarios.
- You ask a traditional healer "What is this plant used for?" You get the name of some disease (or other problem) and likely some way that the plant is prepared and administered. You've learned very little.
- You ask a traditional healer "What happens when you give a person too much of this plant?" You get a description of how the person reacts. Since there are a limited number of ways that people tend to react to overdoses, you get some insight into the correct does and how the plant is likely working.
There is a continuum for many plants:
food -> therapy -> toxic
This is a critical understanding.