Some things that are labeled "alternative medicine" have actual studies, with decent sample sizes and good methodologies, showing that they work. These things are worth paying attention to. The rest don't meet our standards and get ignored.
So, we have its derivative, digoxin, available as a prescription medication. And many people do take it. It's helpful for some symptoms of heart failure. One thing it doesn't do, quite notably, is reduce mortality. Anyway, this is an available, commonly prescribed treatment
Not to belabor the point, but I was hoping to hear about alternative medicines that are not accepted but have evidence supporting them.
[1] = http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/plantox/detail.cfm?id=...
Side effects of digitalis (the active component) toxicity include but are not limited to DEATH
Saying take foxglove instead of digitalis is kind of like saying take willow bark instead of aspirin, but potentially MUCH MORE DANGEROUS.
If what you mean to say is 'we shiuldnt give profits to the pharmaceutical-medical-industrial complex because I believe it is acting against my best interests' then go ahead and say so; however if thr best example of an 'alternative' medicine being efficacious or safer is foxglove you are woefully underinformed
As the saying goes, alternative medicine that works becomes medicine. That is digoxin