Natural Healing Remedies

Poll

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Author:
Jon Davis

It seems that almost every day we come across a story in a newspaper or magazine which raises concerns about the use, misuse, or overuse of a particular pharmaceutical remedy in the treatment of minor ailments, or serious medical conditions. Often these stories are quickly discredited as being ill-informed or based on insufficient evidence, perhaps medical opinion is divided, or particular experts in the field prefer to wait for an extended period of time, maybe years, in order to ascertain the safety, or otherwise of these commonly used remedies. This is not to criticise medical science, or its practitioners, who must rely on objective and statistically valid evidence before giving an expert opinion. However, it is little wonder that many of us turn to herbal remedies, either as a supplement, or as an alternative to manufactured pharmaceutical products. There is a reassurance in that simple word “herbal”, taking us back to simpler times, when there was little choice in how to treat our day to day bodily malfunctions, aches and pains and we made use of what was available to us, perhaps in our own back gardens!

Are herbal remedies the answer? Surely if they have been in use since men and women first walked on the Earth they must be both effective and safe? The answer to this, as to many questions, is “Yes” and “No”, or even “Well it’s not as simple as that.” In the past, herbal remedies were often administered or recommended by one particular person in the neighbourhood, frequently a woman, (probably regarded as a witch), who was an expert in her field. This person would have studied and learned, by trial and error, about the efficacy and safety (or otherwise) of the product she was supplying. Herbal remedies may be natural, but that does not make them safe and we need to be well informed about the optimum dosage as well as about possible side effects and what are called “contra-indications” in the medical profession. After all, before a doctor prescribes a drug to you, s/he will refer to your medical history and question you about your lifestyle. We need to be equally cautious in self-prescribing, and take advantage of information and advice that is available to us from reliable sources.

Should herbal remedies be regarded as an alternative, or a complementary supplement to conventional medicine? We need to use our common sense in this matter. If a herbal product appears to be effective in treating a minor condition, then by all means use it instead of resorting to a manufactured product, with possibly dubious side effects. As regards more serious and even life threatening conditions, it seems unwise to reject the offerings of modern science, which for the most part have a proven record in alleviating suffering and prolonging life, whether or not they also cause undesirable side-effects. Herbal remedies may in these cases be used in a complementary way, if this is appropriate. Let us also not forget that many widely used conventional medications are based on a herbal product, (aspirin and digitalis to name just two), so we may be using a herbal based product without being aware of it. Herbal and conventional pharmaceutical remedies are not always mutually exclusive.

About the Author
As in most areas of our daily lives, we need to obtain as much reliable information on this subject as we can, in order to make informed and intelligent choices, should the need arise. Jon Davis provides free advice & information on herbal remedies can be found at http://www.HealthyHerbalRemedy.com

A Quick Note From The Publisher... If you like the article above, you may be interested in the following article which is also related to Herbal Remedies... Herbal Remedies for Your Skin If you suffer from persistent skin problems like eczema or psoriasis, you know how that they are recurrent and difficult to control. Common factors such as stress and poor diet can cause flare-ups, and who has time to run to the doctor every time this happens? Plus, your body can become resistant to the steroid creams that are commonly prescribed to treat these problems. Luckily, there are several natural, easy, and safe herbal remedies for eczema, psoriasis, dandruff, and other causes of dry, flaky skin. If you tend to have dry skin, taking vitamin E every day will help prevent problems before they start. Diets rich in olive oil and using safflower oil as a substitute for vegetable oil will also provide much-needed vitamin E. Vitamin E is sold in capsule form, and you can break the capsules open and apply the oil directly to the affected area as well. Adding a few drops of lavender essential oil will help reduce redness, puffiness, and scaling. For problems such as flakiness of the scalp, using a dandruff shampoo will help minimize the symptoms, but if you want to avoid the chemicals you can apply witch hazel directly to the affected area or mix it with your natural shampoo. This is very soothing and will help heal the skin. Lastly, drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and caffeine will help keep your skin hydrated, soft, and healthy. Take advantage of the natural herbal remedies available to help you control and treat your skin problems. Timothy Gorman is a successful Webmaster and publisher of Health-Fitness-Solutions.com He provides more health related advice and simple herbal remedies that you can research in your pajamas on his website....