4 (Good) Reasons to Use Herbs and Herbal Remedies
Most of us grew up not thinking for a minute about herbal remedies.
We got sick, we saw a doctor. That's all there was to it! Myself included by the way (oh, how times have changed for me!).
But what if you live in another part of the world other than
North America such as Asia, South America, or many parts of Europe? You'd have a different story. Herbs would almost certainly be a part of your life.
In fact, according to
WHO, the World Health Organization, 75% of the worlds populations use herbal
remedies as part of their primary care. That's a pretty substantial number.
More Americans than ever are using alternative remedies including herbs. But many more Americans are not. That being said, they are a golden opportunity for many of you to support your health in a very real way.
Herbal remedies in particular are becoming more and more popular due to two very important reason:
One, many people are growing tired of the lack of real health building results from their usual resources. They want better health, not just disease management. They want options. And herbs can provide that.
And secondly, because many people are not getting the results they want, they are seeking options and becoming more knowledgeable about herbs as well as other alternative remedies and methods. And once you start doing the research you begin to understand that herbs can support a better quality of health. And with that, ultimately, a better quality of life.
Herbs weren't discovered yesterday! They have been used safely and effectively for thousands of years. So they have an enviable track record. Of course, if you listened to some people you might think herbs were the
enemy, or at the very least ineffective. However, those people simply aren't paying attention to the research. That point of view usually comes from someone who either doesn't understand herbs or who has a vested interest in you not using herbs.
My own story as well as the testimonies I hear from clients and friends who began using herbs tell the real story: If you are going to build your health or stay healthy, herbs can be a very valuable part of the equation.
And once you know a bit more about how herbs work, it's hard not to include them in your life in some way.
Who can herbs help?
Pretty much anyone.
Whether it's for pain and inflammation, fighting a cold or a flu, more energy, PMS, digestion, prostate, joint problems, or any one of a number of other common ailments, there's probably an herb or herbs that can help you.
Or if you just want an edge in maintaining your health such
as with the tonic, cleansing, or support herbs, there's almost certainly an herb or
combination of herbs that can help.
So with that in mind, I wanted to give you four very good reasons why you should consider using herbal remedies to support your health, longevity and quality of life.
Reason #1: Herbs give you choice.
I can't tell you how many times I have heard "I don't know what to do!" So many people are frustrated and exasperated by what they see as a lack of options.
However, it's not so much the lack of options, but it's that they simply don't know what the options are! We can help with that.
Herbs can open the door to a huge storehouse of opportunity for improving or restoring health and wellness. You just have to look.
I had a friend who was fighting a cold and was taking all the usual over the counter cold medicine because he didn't know what else to do aside from drinking more orange juice (By the way, drinking orange juice to try and help get rid of a cold is a BIG Mistake. More here)
You either buy cold medication A or cold medication B. And they all do about the same thing with none of them actually really helping to restore your health. Wouldn't you like a few additional options? You have them by way of herbs.
While OTC cold medications may reduce some symptoms, it comes at a price. In fact, you may actually feel worse! You'll likely end up feeling drowsy, light headed, irritable or jittery, trouble sleeping, dry mouth, nose or throat or headaches. They're referred to as 'side effects,' but they actually are the 'effects' of taking the medication. Calling them simply something on the side minimizes the actual effects the drugs are having on your body.
Among many other things, herbs such as Echinacea, Astragalus, Reishi mushrooms, Ginseng, and others can help stimulate the immune system so that the body does what it does even better. And herbs have shown they can even shorten the duration of a cold as Elderberry extract has shown it is capable of doing. Just so there was no doubt, I wrote a whole article on whether some herbs can boost the immuse system. You can read it here.
Of course symptom relief would be very nice if it actually happened the way we wanted, we can't forget what cold symptoms are, and that is your body's defense mechanisms fighting the virus. For more on what all those cold symptoms actually represent, go here.
Reason #2: Herbs are effective.
Over the last century, there have been thousands of studies on the effectiveness of herbs. Anyone who says differently hasn't looked at the evidence.
While herbs do have medicinal properties, they don't work like pharmaceutical medicines, nor would you want them to.
Also, consider this: if herbs weren't effective wouldn't you think that at some point in the last three to five thousand years of common use by millions of people in other cultures throughout the world that they would simply stop being used?
Reason #3: Herbs are virtually free of side effects*
Herbs in general are mostly free of side effects* That's because of the complex and natural chemical structure of plants. I say 'virtually because side effects from herbs for the most part are minimal and especially when compared to pharmaceutical medicines.
However, the minute you take a single chemical element of an herb out of the context of the rest of the herb, the root, leaves, etc. and subsequently synthesize its chemical structure in a lab and offer it to people as a medicine and as the isolated and synthetic chemical it now is, now you can have side effects.
That being said, instead of side effects, most ALL herbs have multiple side benefits. I can't think of an herb that doesn't have multiple benefits. And it's due to that very same complex chemical structure. Herbs can have hundreds of chemical components. And while each herb may have several compounds that are considered more active than others, they are ALL active and contribute to the overall effects of the herb.
It's called 'synergy' which means 'the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.' All the parts work together in this beautiful poetic harmony. And you fractionate or isolate them to your disadvantage.
I will also say this: If any herb had even a fraction of the side effects of pharmaceutical medicines they would be pulled from the marketplace instantly.
*One caveat. Herbs may have an effect on medicines you might already be taking. So it's advisable to check with your doctor.
Reason #4: Herbs are safe.
Thousands of years of use can attest to their safety record.
While herbs are not medicines as we know them in America, as I mentioned earlier, herbs do have medicinal properties that may or may not be appropriate for you. So if you are already taking medication or have a medical condition, are pregnant or nursing, it is always advisable to check with your doctor before using herbs.
But if you don't like the state of your health or where it's headed, and want better, consider herbs as one very important way to help you get it.
