Herbal Remedies and Supplements – Safe and Effective Alternative or Outdated Treatment Approach

Posted: Apr 24, 2010 |Comments: 0 |

Herbal remedies and supplements have been around for centuries and have recently seen a new ground swell of popularity,  along with a healthy dose of skepticism for the medical community. In this article we will briefly look into the phenomenon of herbal remedies and supplements, all the while allowing you to draw your own conclusions as to whether these all natural options are right for you.

The naturopathic creed is to do no harm and that is the primary path that most proven natural medicine tends to travel. This approach to medicine works with a person's body, allowing the body to make the proper adjustments in order to either fight off an infection, balance hormones, or readjust body chemistry in an effort to cure the condition or ailment from the inside out. This general approach is known as full spectrum approach to natural healing.

But despite mountains of anecdotal evidence, along with a substantial amount of clinical evidence to support their efficacy, there are those who believe that herbal remedies and supplements are an outdated and useless method of treatment.

The argument against this line of thinking is that today we know more about natural remedies than ever before with numerous scientific students isolating the active ingredients and measuring their effectiveness. We know what works and what doesn't. So today's herbal medicine is a long shot from those ancient times when anything that grew or crawled was thrown into a pot to make that cure all elixir made famous by the traveling salesman and witch doctors of old. Furthermore, the naturopathic doctors who create the formulas of today are much more skilled at producing remedies that are targeted to specific illnesses, ailments, or conditions.

The disadvantage of herbal remedies and supplements is the speed at which many of them work. While some do work fast (especially the newer liquid formulas) others take time to produce results. For certain illnesses time is not a luxury that can be afforded thus other more conventional options are generally considered to be better overall alternatives, even by naturopathic doctors.

But slow is not always bad, especially when it comes to side effects. Let's explore an example of this. Cholesterol medications such as statins have been quite popular in recent years. They can reduce problematic LDL cholesterol dramatically in as little as two weeks by interfering with the livers ability to produce cholesterol.

The rapid decline in cholesterol causes a chain reaction in the body when it the drop is too sever e and lasts too long. When this happens cells fail to get the cholesterol they need to survive, producing muscle pain, cramps, and in extreme instances cell death resulting in kidney failure.

On the other hand there are a number of herbal remedies and supplements such as guggul gum extract and phytosterols that work to absorb excess cholesterol in the intestines and produce few if any side effects risks.

This is just one example of which there are many more. In the end it generally comes down to a question of speed of treatment with the risk of side effects or a slower acting longer lasting solution free from side effects.

In conclusion, the choice whether or not to use herbal remedies and supplements is all about personal preference.

Questions and Answers

Ask
200 Characters left
Rate this Article
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 0 vote(s)
    Feedback
    Print
    Re-Publish
    Source:  http://www.articlesbase.com/alternative-medicine-articles/herbal-remedies-and-supplements-safe-and-effective-alternative-or-outdated-treatment-approach-2221465.html

    Article Tags:

    herbal remedies and supplements

    ,

    herbal remedies

    ,

    remedies herbal

    Nocturnal emissions can be treated easily with herbal supplements. Read this article to know best herbal pills for nocturnal emissions.

    By: Dr Andrew Napierl Health> Men's Healthl Feb 01, 2011

    The process of aging is the most natural process for all. It is unavoidable but only thing you can do is that you can take some steps to reduce the impact of aging factors.

    By: Peter Filinovichl Health> Alternative Medicinel Jun 15, 2011
    Dr Easton Patrick

    Acne or pimple is a skin disorder which causes skin eruptions and inflammation in human beings. Read this article to know acne natural remedies which is effective and safe.

    By: Dr Easton Patrickl Health> Acnel Jan 15, 2011

    Many people are looking to improve brain memory with herbal remedies and supplements. Know about herbal remedies to improve brain memory.

    By: Dr Andrew Napierl Health> Alternative Medicinel May 21, 2011
    Dr Easton Patrick

    There are various brain tonics available in market to enhance brain memory power. Most of these herbal remedies are also capable to relieve stress and tension from your life.

    By: Dr Easton Patrickl Health> Alternative Medicinel Apr 12, 2011

    In Neuro-scientific medicine, applied studies more popularly generally known as translational research. It aims to supply plausible diagnostic, preventive or treatment strategies. This research practice is anticipated to create technologies, drugs and methods aimed at prevention and treatments for diseases

    By: Terry Dancerl Health> Alternative Medicinel May 26, 2012
    Jonathan Berns, DC

    Sports tape, elastic therapeutic tape or athletic tape is a strip of cotton with acrylic adhesive used for treating injuries related to sports, athletics as well as other physical disorders. It is porous, non-elastic and lightweight but it also has a high tensile strength which makes it ideal for giving compression and firm support for the body.

    By: Jonathan Berns, DCl Health> Alternative Medicinel May 25, 2012
    codeblackincense

    Every time I stroll through a herbal or scented garden, I'm entranced by the way it calms my stress and relaxes my anxious mind. It's almost as if Nature laid the plants out especially for me. Parks and gardens are as old as civilization itself. In fact, even Adam and Eve are said to have had their own garden to explore.

    By: codeblackincensel Health> Alternative Medicinel May 23, 2012

    Ma Huang is also known as ephedra. The acrid, slightly bitter and warm herb has been used in TCM to promote urination and sweating, and rid of cold, sooth wheezing asthma, etc. as it calms dyspnea, asthma, cough, etc., by enhancing the functions of lung and bladder channels.

    By: Kyle J. Nortonl Health> Alternative Medicinel May 22, 2012

    Melatonin with valerian is considered to be a top notch pill which can surely assist a lot in getting rid of various sleep disorders and it is primarily utilized for better sleep when you are going through insomnia. Sleep is very important and one should get a proper sleep every night in order to stay perfectly alright in all perspectives. Life can surely excel in a better way if a good and healthy sleep is attained every day though people who are unable to get it on regular basis have to go thr

    By: dollerman32l Health> Alternative Medicinel May 22, 2012
    Rob D. Hawkins

    If you were to ask ten people to describe ADHD it is likely you would get 10 different answers with at least 7 including hyperactivity in their descriptions. The truth is hyperactivity is only present in cases of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder about half of the time but seems to be the symptom that is foremost in most parents minds. As for the ADHD predominately inattentive type ...

    By: Rob D. Hawkinsl Health> Mental Healthl Apr 24, 2012
    Rob D. Hawkins

    As I do every month I anticipated the arrival of my monthly senior magazine only to find in big headlines something about natural being dangerous. So I immediately turned to page 11 to find out what all this was about.

    By: Rob D. Hawkinsl Health> Alternative Medicinel Apr 13, 2012
    Rob D. Hawkins

    Hair loss is one subject I am passionate about probably because I have fought the hair loss battle for over a decade, and at least up until this point consider my efforts to have been a success. In this article I will offer my opinion as to whether or not a topical hair loss treatment alone will be enough to deliver significant results.

    By: Rob D. Hawkinsl Health> Hair Lossl Feb 28, 2012
    Rob D. Hawkins

    If you are struggling with excessive and/or frequent nervousness you may be searching for reasons why your diet may be the culprit of your anxiety. What I can tell you from my personal experience is there is a very good chance the types of foods and beverages you are consuming is playing some role, but to what degree is difficult to determine since anxiety has many different levels, and many possible causes including brain chemistry, heredity, and life experiences.

    By: Rob D. Hawkinsl Health> Diseases and Conditionsl Jan 20, 2012
    Rob D. Hawkins

    Millions of Americans each day stop anxiety with over the counter medicine. Knowing this it is difficult to believe that finding an over the counter medication that was safe, actually worked, and didn't leave you feeling as if you had just gone the distance with a heavyweight boxing champion would prove to be so challenging. Step number one in finding an ...

    By: Rob D. Hawkinsl Health> Mental Healthl Jan 19, 2012

    Discuss this Article

    Author Box
    Articles Categories
    All Categories
    Quantcast