Why “Vending Machine Advice” Doesn’t Work in Herbalism—or Anywhere Else
Last year, I heard the phrase “vending machine herbalism” from John Gallagher of Learning Herbs. It describes when someone asks, “What’s a good herb for ______?”—expecting a one-word answer to be dispensed, like a snack from a vending machine. But herbalism doesn’t work like that.
You can’t give meaningful herbal advice—or any health advice—without context. So I’ve adopted a broader term: “vending machine advice.” It applies not only to herbs but also to supplements, homeopathy, and even home care recommendations.
The Problem with Quick-Fix Advice
I caution all practitioners against giving quick, one-size-fits-all answers. And I urge patients not to ask casual, on-the-fly questions expecting a solution in seconds.
These quick suggestions often miss the mark and can waste time—or worse, do harm.
The Better Approach: A Real Consultation
When I work with patients, I offer full consultations so I can take the time to ask specific, meaningful questions. The more details I have, the more accurate and effective the recommendation.
For example, in herbalism, I often match the energetics of the herb to the constitution of the person. If someone tends to feel cold all the time, I would avoid giving them herbs with cooling properties. Instead, I’d recommend warming herbs to help bring their system back into balance.
The more information I gather, the more targeted the treatment.
A Real-World Example
Let’s say someone asks:
“Dr. Barker, I’m constipated—what should I take?”
I could say, “Take psyllium husk,” but that may not help—and could even be wrong. I haven’t asked a single question. Before giving advice, I’d want to know:
When did the constipation start?
Have there been any changes in diet, lifestyle, medications, or supplements?
Is there pain?
What makes it better or worse?
What’s already been tried?
Is the issue mechanical, emotional, nutritional, or chemical?
It could be a matter of dehydration or low fiber intake—or it could be something serious that requires medical referral. The devil is in the details.
What You Should Do Instead
If you have a health question:
Make sure there’s time to talk about it.
Provide as much detail as possible.
Expect your practitioner to ask a lot of questions.
Never ask on behalf of someone else who isn’t present—you won’t be able to answer key questions for them.
A thoughtful conversation leads to better care. Health isn’t a vending machine, and neither is real medicine.
