Alternative Information brought to you by discount drugs    

Are Herbal Remedies The Answer?


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.

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 at http://www.HealthyHerbalRemedy.com


MORE RESOURCES:

Wall Street Journal Blogs

Exxon CEO doubts Obama's alternative energy goal
Reuters India, India - 20 hours ago
In a speech at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, Obama said he wanted the United States to double its output of alternative energy sources ...
Obama Team, Exxon Mobil Chief Trade Jabs on Energy Wall Street Journal Blogs
Exxon favors carbon tax over cap and trade for CO2 curbs MarketWatch
Exxon Mobil CEO prefers carbon tax Bizjournals.com
all 55 news articles


Photo Release -- U-Haul Launches U Car Share -- the Alternative to ...
MSNBC - 5 hours ago
8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U Car Share is expanding its growth as it partners with the city of Portland by launching the alternative to vehicle ownership. ...


Fannie Mae Tests 'Short Sales' as Alternative to Foreclosures
Wall Street Journal - 10 hours ago
In the nation's hardest-hit housing markets, where many borrowers owe more than their homes are worth, short sales are often the only alternative to sales ...


Times Online

‘There Is No Alternative’ Is No Answer
Forward, NY - 16 hours ago
But the idea of ein breira — there is no alternative — is easily transformed into a refuge for the intellectually lazy, a bankrupt alibi for all manner of ...
Video: Rockets were fired from Lebanon into Israel france24english
Rami Almeghari: Hardships of Journalism from Gaza Alternative Information Center (AIC)
For Israel, 2006 Lessons but Old Pitfalls New York Times
The Nation. - Aljazeera.net
all 12,449 news articles


PhillyDeals: PhillyDeals: Finding alternatives in slowing market
Philadelphia Inquirer, PA - 7 hours ago
Now he's looking for alternative ways to make money from real estate as the market slows. Harden dropped out of Temple University in 1991 to fight at Don ...


Entropic Communications and Actiontec Debut Wired Home Networking ...
MSNBC - 9 hours ago
LAS VEGAS, Jan. 8, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- International CES Booth 25829 -- Entropic Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ENTR), a leading provider of silicon ...


Washington Post

Europe Looks to Alternative Sources for Energy
Wall Street Journal - Jan 7, 2009
By GUY CHAZAN As Europe counts the cost of Russia's latest gas shut-off, there are signs it could give a boost to alternative sources of gas that currently ...
Video: Ukraine is blackmailing us Putin RussiaToday
Delo Urging Europe to Look for Alternative to Russian Gas STA - Slovenska Tiskovna Agencija
Europe late with alternative to Russian gas TREND Information
guardian.co.uk - In-Forum
all 7,871 news articles


Alternative To City Library Closures Sought
CBS 3, PA - 1 hour ago
Read more in our Privacy Policy Philadelphia officials are trying to come up with an alternative to permanently closing 11 public libraries. ...
Plan B: cut hours at Philly libraries, save money Lebanon Daily News
Barack Obama and Michael Nutter’s Philadelphia story Christian Science Monitor
Nutter reviews City's success Drexel University The Triangle Online
Norristown Times Herald
all 12 news articles


CNET News

Linksys offers full wireless alternative to Sonos
CNET News, CA - Jan 7, 2009
After hinting at a "digital stereo" product in The New York Times last week, Cisco unveiled the details of its Wireless Home Audio System today, ...


ABC News

Digital TV offers alternative to cable
Eagle Tribune, MA - 8 hours ago
Many years ago people started subscribing to cable television because you got a much better picture than with an antenna. With the advent of digital ...
Key Congressman Floats DTV-Switch Delay Television Week
all 1,180 news articles

Alternative - Google News

home | site map
© 2006