Interview with Dr. Jean Bokelmann
Why did you feel that it was important to write Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care, 1st Edition? What does your publication add to the field?
Physicians tend to be reluctant to integrate medicinal herbs into their care of patients for two main reasons: unfamiliarity with herbs and a sense that scientific evidence for medicinal herbs is lacking. This book is written to address such obstacles. It is uniquely written by a physician for physicians and other providers of conventional medical care.
What is the most exciting aspect of Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care, 1st Edition? What chapter or topic are you most excited about?
Section II – The disease-oriented tables serve as a quick reference for someone in a busy practice. The tables are backed by herbal monographs that lay out the evidence as well as safety issues and practical prescribing guidelines.
Who will find the greatest value from Medicinal Herbs in Primary Care, 1st Edition and why?
Primary care providers as well as a non-surgical specialists who have busy practices and want to foster collaborative relationships with those of their patients wishing to integrate medicinal herbs into their medical treatment regimens.
Pharmacists who often answer questions patients pose about use of herbs.
Nurses, therapists, counselors, and dental hygienists who would like to guide their patients on non-prescriptive options for improved wellness.
Herbalists who might want to go deeper into the clinical science of herbs.
Researchers who want to contribute to the field of research in medicinal herbs.
What new ideas, practices, or procedures do you hope your readers take away from your text?
Many medicinal herbs are backed by scientific research.
Medicinal herbs are generally safe and usually better-tolerated than pharmaceuticals.
Medicinal herbs can be used to address several issues at once.
Medicinal herbs need to be used with appropriate caution and knowledge.
Patients benefit from appropriate guidance and advice given by a conventional medical provider who is knowledgeable about medicinal herbs.
What problem do you hope the future generation of your specialty will be able to solve?
Eliminating a learned bias against alternative healing modalities and fostering a willingness to look at the evidence and participate in associated research.
Is there anything else about the book you’d like to say?
The intention of this book is to build a bridge across the gap between conventional medicine and medical herbalism.
About the Author
Jean M. Bokelmann M.D., Associate Professor of Family Medicine (retired), Idaho State University Family Medicine Residency Program.
*Practiced out-patient and in-patient medicine and obstetrics in Indian Health Service, Veterans Administration, Public Health, Student Health Center, private practice.
*Founding member and participating faculty of the Idaho State University Family Medicine Residency Program. Areas of teaching focus included geriatrics, women’s medicine, and integrative medicine.
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