Posts Tagged ‘alternative health solutions’

Herbal Remedies versus Conventional Medicine

August 17th, 2011

Compare herbal remedies that treat the whole body side by side with conventional medicine that cover the symptoms.

The American Medical Association Journal statistics showed that more than 100,000 people die every year in American hospitals from side effects of appropriately prescribed medicine.

There is an enormous amount of medication prescribed every day. The authorities admit they have no cure available for many of the diseases that afflict people today. But they continue to mask the symptoms.

Synthetic drugs have many side effects. First of all, they are toxic to all of our bodily systems. Remember this when you see prescription drugs pulled from the market place after having carried the FDA’s seal of approval for many years.

Unfortunately very few doctors inform their patients of possible side effects. For nearly every drug prescribed there are enough side effects to fill a book the size of a dictionary.

Is it too much to ask that our doctors know more about medicine than what the pharmaceutical companies teach them. Is it unreasonable to expect a doctor to be knowledgeable, and skilled in the art of healing after eight or more intensive years of training.

Shouldn’t modern medicines focus be on the patient as a whole instead of just on the disease?

Doctors are beginning to recommend that patients try some alternative medicines such as herbal remedies. Meanwhile they prescribe more drugs, while you do the research to locate alternative health solutions.

Did you know that…?

1. The pharmaceutical industry grosses more than $100 billion annually just in the U.S.

2. About one-fourth of the prescription drugs in the U.S. are plant based.

3. There are more than 80,000 various plants used in the world today.

4. Herbal remedies are the main form of medicine for three-fourths of the entire world.

Many people are researching alternative health solutions today, while looking for some much needed changes in their health care.

The choices are many, including herbal remedies, acupuncture, tai chi, qigong, yoga, ayurvetic medicine, holistic, hydrotherapy, massage therapies, homeopathy and energy medicine.

Information overload is absolutely mind boggling, and there are as many conventional medicine choices as there are herbal remedies.

There is becoming a much greater demand for safe, efficient and cost-effective natural health care solutions over the past twenty years or so.

I know this is no news flash to you, but preventing disease is still much easier than treating it. This is where herbal remedies can help. Herbal remedies use botanicals, which are simply natural plants to treat and prevent illness.

More people are turning towards herbal medicines for healing different health problems because they desire a more natural form of health care.

The main reason herbal remedies are particularly beneficial is because they treat the cause of the disease, instead of the effect of the disease (the symptoms).

Another good thing about herbal remedies is that they have less chance of side effects compared to conventional synthetic medications.

In a nutshell, we have to take responsibility for our own health, and do our best to prevent disease. An ounce of prevention is truly still worth a pound of cure.

A Naturopathic Doctor Reveals the Truth About Herbs and Supplements

August 17th, 2011

Common Herbs and Supplements Used in Natural, Holistic Medicine

Garlic, bilberry extract, devil’s claw, yucca, fish oil, ginkgo biloba, glucosamine, echinacea, flaxseed oil, lutein and wild yam roots. These are just some of the more well known herbs and supplements on the market today being used to treat high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, heart ailments, joint pain, and menopause. Many supplements and herbs also help support optimal eyesight, brain function and heart health, as well as prevent disease. Supplements and herbal medicine have become increasingly popular as alternative health solutions to over-the-counter and prescribed medications. Here are some common uses:

  • Echinacea is known for strengthening the immune system.
  • Glucosamine, devil’s claw and yucca help treat inflammation.
  • Bilberry and Lutein enhance eyesight.
  • Garlic helps manage high cholesterol.
  • Flaxseed and fish oils fortify the health of the brain, joints and skin.

Although supplements and herbal medicine can offer great value to patients of all ages, they are not a replacement for proper nutrition and daily exercise. Supplements should be a holistic health care solution used to support a healthy lifestyle. In addition, traditional Western medical doctors, naturopathic physicians and alternative health professionals agree that natural supplements and herbal medicine are beneficial when taken appropriately under a medical or naturopathic doctor’s care.

A Warning from an Experienced, Licensed Naturopathic Doctor

Naturopathic doctors know supplements and herbal medicine can be incredibly effective, but also potentially dangerous when used improperly. Any patient regularly taking an herb, vitamin or supplement should inform their doctor. Herbal medicine and supplements can potentially interact with medications and cause adverse reactions. A primary example of this is ginkgo biloba. Ginkgo is used to improve the memory, but can have unsafe reactions for patients currently on blood thinning medication.

Herbal naturopathic remedies must be chosen carefully and approved by a health care provider that is educated and knowledgeable about herb and drug interactions. In addition, whether patients choose a mainstream medical, holistic or naturopathic doctor, investigating the credentials of health care providers is important. Safety and quality control must be carefully considered since the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate the supplement industry.

The Importance of Nutrition and Healthy Lifestyle Choices that Support Holistic Healing Success

Supplements and herbal medicine are not meant to replace healthy living. Multi-vitamins, supplements and herbs are best taken when a healthy lifestyle is created and supported. This is an important distinction to make, especially in the pill popping culture of America. Drinking plenty of water, regular exercise, eating organic, avoiding processed flour and eating plenty of vegetables are the first steps to whole body health and wellness.

Working Together: How Traditional and Holistic Health Care Can Support Overall Health and Wellness

For the majority of people a combination of traditional health care and holistic medicine can help them achieve a new level of health. Holistic health care providers such as naturopathic doctors and herbalists play a huge role in creating a plan for optimal health. When multiple doctors from different backgrounds collaborate, patents often find it easier to get healthy and stay healthy.