[Coffee]

I view synthetics as the ideal. Less questions as to if and how they work. Whatever opinion a doctor may have about transitioning, they UNDERSTAND synthetics. Every body is different and reacts to things differently, but a doctor is going to be able to change your doses to get you to where you need to be. Herbals are different. We can anecdotally find regimens to start with, mix and match different categories of herbs, but a doctor (at least, not most doctors) won't be much help in pegging what we should be taking, and how much. 

So, yes, I view herbals as the lesser option.

But, herbals are popular for several key reasons:

1. Sometimes we just feel more comfortable with a product that comes from a plant. 
2. Cost (not that herbals are cheap, but there is definitely a lower barrier of entry)
3. Fear of going to a doctor for transitioning (social stigma is lower than it was 15 years ago, but still present)
4. It's an easy way to dip your toe into feminization with a fairly low risk.
5. The slower speed (esp. if you haven't keyed into an ideal herbal regimen) is good for people who want to feminize without transitioning

I'm currently caught in point 2 and 3--less worried about the cost of synthetics as I am the cost of doctor visits. I don't have health insurance, so the visits would be all out of pocket. Easier to afford regular herb re-ups than doctor's visits. Fear keeps me from figuring out if I could somehow afford the doctor.