Natural Remedies

We live in a world where many people do not have health insurance. Many have no access to regular medical check-ups, dental care or eye examinations. Quite simply, when one is unemployed or under-employed, health care tends to fall to the bottom of the priority list because it’s simply too expensive. This may be the catalyst for seeking natural remedies to everyday ailments.

A segment of the population is distrustful of pharmaceutical companies. Believed to be “big business” out for only profit, prescription drugs and vaccines are viewed with a great deal of skepticism. In fact, citing personal or religious beliefs, people may refuse conventional treatments and prefer to practice holistic medicine and natural remedies. Others, who may suffer from chronic or terminal illness, sometimes exhaust their traditional options and seek out natural remedies in the hope of staving off their condition.

We live in a very health-conscious society. With people strongly focused on eating a well-balanced diet and increasing physical activity levels, many view the potential side effects of standard treatments and medications to be detrimental to their overall health and well-being. These individuals, too, may prefer to explore and use natural remedies.

Finally, in these uncertain economic times, there are people who are adopting a survivalist approach to life. They are researching and preparing to live without many of the modern conveniences and treatments to which we have become accustomed and even take for granted. They take a strong interest in returning to the ways of our forefathers, living off the land, “off the grid,” in as simple a lifestyle as possible. Natural remedies are a clear fit in this type of lifestyle.

Some of the more common introductions to natural remedies are aromatherapy, herbal supplements and even acne treatments. In fact, more and more often, these are crossing over and being accepted by those who view health care in a more mainstream manner. For instance, in herbal treatments alone, Echinacea, St. John’s Wort and Gingko Biloba have become well-known and commonly employed. At the first sign of a sore throat, many turn to a combination of Echinacea and Vitamin C to boost their immune system and, hopefully, ward off the oncoming illness. Introductions to the essential oils of aromatherapy may include citronella, eucalyptus and lavender. Preferring to avoid aerosols and chemicals, citronella oil is employed as an insect repellent. Eucalyptus, long recognized for its inclusion in commercial cough drops or lozenges, is called into service (along with some of the mints) to help clear block airways during colds and flu. For its part, lavender oil factors into natural remedies for headaches and, particularly, migraines.

Another increasing adopted practice is acupuncture. People are turning to this treatment, employed in Asian countries, like China, for thousands of years, to help with pain management, drug detox and even weight loss.

As with any remedy or treatment, it is always advisable to seek out those who are trained and knowledgeable in their use. While a remedy may be natural in its source or composition, it is simply common sense to ensure that it is employed safely. One is best served to find current information and not simply follow the trends. As in traditional medicine, the same treatment is not effective for every person.