In today's western society we are fortunate enough to have a wealth of medical information at our fingertips and more treatment choices readily available than ever before
In recent years many of us have turned to natural remedies as an alternative to pharmaceutical drugs. From minor illnesses to chronic diseases, there are now numerous natural supplements on the market to treat almost every type of condition. In Asia, Chinese and Indian cultures have been using herbs to heal for thousands of years. Indeed, World Health organization research shows that 80% of the population has used herbs to solve a medical problem at some point in their lives.
Many of us regularly use natural remedies as substitutes to prescription drugs and are turning to natural therapies to cope with our stressful lifestyles. It has become fashionable to use herbs to cleanse our colon and to attend detox centers and spas. The Internet and glossy magazines are littered with advertisements for herbal supplements, natural cures and alternative therapies both for us and our pets.
Given a typical western diet, with our processed, microwaved, deep fried food and coffee culture, we have become considerably more prone to disease. Increased disease means a greater need for pharmaceutical drugs, or does it?
Why we are Turning to Natural Remedies
We are now better informed as to the benefits of natural alternatives compared to their prescription counterparts and their risks of long term side effects. Whilst a debate exists as to the dangers (due to lack of research), natural supplements do provide a safer, affordable and more easily accessible form of treatment. There is little risk of toxicity; a big consideration in making the switch from prescription drugs to natural cures, particularly for long term suffers of chronic diseases such as arthritis, diabetes or cancer. Cost may also be a key factor, if government assisted health care such as Canada or the UK’s National Health Service is not widely available in a particular country.
Are Natural Remedies Effective?
How effective these remedies are depends very much on the seriousness of our condition and how patient we are prepared to be. Natural remedies seek to treat the problem and not just the symptoms and consequently may take longer to achieve results. The whole philosophy behind natural healing is that it rebalances the body and plays an essential part in improving our whole wellbeing. Whilst pharmaceutical drugs can be very successful in quickly treating symptoms, they may not, however, be as effective in treating the cause! In today’s society we tend to equate the relief of symptoms with healing – but the no pain, no problem mindset can be like brushing something temporarily under the carpet.
Whilst natural remedies may offer little or no improvement in the short term they will concentrate on treating the root of the problem. Natural remedies offer no quick fix and often require continual maintenance as part of achieving a healthy, balanced body.
Even those with chronic conditions are turning to natural supplements either as a replacement or as support to their current prescription drugs. Many strong drugs carry a greater risk of side effects and toxicity is a major issue. Natural supplements are safe in this regard, even working within our body to eliminate toxins in our system.
Is there a Place for Prescription Drugs?
We should not throw the baby out with the bathwater, however! There will always be a place for prescription drugs. Pharmaceutical drugs have a very necessary function, healing, improving the quality of life and providing pain relief for millions worldwide. Certainly in a crisis situation or a condition that has already gone too far, such drugs are essential and may be lifesaving. It is also worth noting that more than 50% of pharmaceuticals are actually made from plant extracts but this is often in the form of only one constituent.
Natural supplements need not be taken in isolation; they can also provide valuable support to prescription drugs, in many cases enabling us to gradually reduce their existing dosage. Under the guidance of medical practitioners it is possible for natural supplements and their pharmaceutical counterparts to go hand in hand – offering a synergy for the treatment of symptoms and in the longer term, eliminating the cause.
Natural Remedies - a Practical Alternative
In short, natural supplements provide us with a practical alternative. Health risks, finances, accessibility, convenience and time constraints may all be considerations, but we can be certain that as we continue to become enlightened as to their many uses, natural remedies can provide many of us with surprisingly effective results.
