In this day and age, it seems like everyone is looking for a way to achieve natural wellness. While there are many different definitions of natural wellness, the general idea is that it is about living a healthy lifestyle that focuses on prevention rather than cure. This means eating a natural diet, getting regular exercise and enjoying plenty of fresh air and sunshine.
For many people, natural wellness is the key to good health. They believe that if they can stay healthy by eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, they will be less likely to need prescription drugs. And indeed, research has shown that living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent many diseases.
However, while natural wellness is certainly popular, it is not always easy to achieve. Many people find it difficult to change their diet and lifestyle habits after years of unhealthy living.
Natural Wellness Treatments
There are many reasons why you should choose natural wellness remedies over conventional medicine. For one, natural remedies are often much cheaper than prescription drugs. They also tend to get to the actual cause of pain and discomfort rather than just masking the symptoms. For this reason, natural remedies are often more effective than prescription drugs.
I am sure you have heard the phrase ‘prevention is better than cure’. To this end, it is great advice to eat a wholesome, nutritious diet, with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, take regular exercise and get 8 hours of sleep a night. Living like this means your body is nourished with lots of vitamins and minerals that boost your immune system. If your immune system is working well it can ward off illness and disease before it can take hold.
One of the biggest benefits of using natural remedies is that they are better for your health. Many prescription medications have side effects, and long-term use of some prescriptions can be dangerous. Natural remedies, however, tend to work with your body instead of against it.
In the interest of balance, remember that not all natural remedies are safe. Some of the most toxic substances known to humankind are natural. Arsenic, cobra venom, and cyanide are all considered “natural”. Due your due diligence and protect your own health.
You may know someone who has experienced the negative side effects of prescription medication. Some of the worst side effects of these drugs are
Hallucinations
These can be very scary (1)
The drugs that can cause these side effects include anti-biotics and blood pressure tablets. The National Health Service in the UK openly admits that 1 in 10 people suffer side effects from anti-biotics (2). One of the best natural anti-biotics is garlic. It is effective against bacteria, viruses and even cancer (3). The only side effect is that it can thin the blood so it is best not to eat too much of it if you take blood thinning medication (4). Honey, Oregano, Echinacea, Goldenseal and Clove are also effective, natural anti-biotics (5).
Memory Loss
Anti-depressants, drugs for stress and anxiety or even sleeping tablets can cause you to forget things. This can be temporary or long term which is pretty frightening and could make these conditions even worse (6). St John’s Wort (7), Chamomile (8), Lavender (9) and eating a diet high in Omega 3 oils (10) are much better alternatives.
Priapism
This is when the penis stays erect for long periods of time. It can be extremely painful, not to mention embarrassing. Despite sounding amusing it can also be life threatening. The drugs that can cause this include anti-depressants and blood thinning medication (11). As described above, garlic can thin blood so may be a better alternative.
Cancer
A drug used to treat breast cancer (Tamoxifen) has been found to increase the risk of cancer of the womb (12). Going through cancer is tough enough without the fear of it rearing its head in another part of our body. The best way to ‘treat’ cancer naturally is to prevent it in the first place. Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables, minimise processed foods, cigarettes and alcohol.
Take regular exercise, get plenty of sleep and learn to manage stress (13). Alternative natural remedies to prevent or slow down the progress of cancer are reported to be lycopene (in tomatoes), resveratrol (in black grapes), curcumin (in turmeric), diallyl sulphide (in garlic), gingerol (in ginger), and sulforaphane (in broccoli). Eating these in plentiful amounts in your diet can only help. And they don’t have negative side effects (14).
Suicidal Thoughts
Ironically, if you suffer from depression or psychosis the drugs you are taking to help you, could make your condition worse. Medications to help you lose weight, quit smoking and even cure acne have also been found to cause patients to think about ending their life. We rely on medication to make our lives better, not end it (15). If you want to lose weight or quit smoking, making behaviour changes over time is much more effective, sustainable and won’t kill you!
There are plants that will reduce or cure acne rather than resorting to detrimental drugs. Chamomile, calendula, witch hazel, aloe, white oak bark, walnut leaf, lavandula (not lavender) and black plum amongst many others. These plants can be made into creams or tonics to apply to the skin. They have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory properties all of which are great in the fight against acne (16).
Try Natural Wellness
The effectiveness of natural remedies is impressive enough that they should at least be considered in addition to your prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs. If taking them alongside drugs prescribed by your doctor, make sure they do not interact with the drug. This can reduce the effectiveness of both.
Another reason you may not have considered is that natural remedies are better for the environment. Conventionally produced medications often have a negative impact on the environment. If not disposed of correctly, or even through human waste they find their way into water and soil and then into produce. These can be toxic to both human and animal life when eaten. Plastic is used as packaging which does not break down. Many medications are over-prescribed and not even used, which is a waste of resources (17).
Making the switch to natural remedies can be daunting, but it is definitely worth it. The next time you are feeling sick or have a health concern, consider trying a natural remedy before reaching for pharmaceutical drugs.
We have many references for you to check out, but we would like to add Wikipedia’s treatment of Natural Wellness.
Also, we have many of our own Natural Wellness articles for you here.
Enjoy, and be well !
References
- Medication-Related Visual Hallucinations: What You Need to Know https://www.aao.org/eyenet/article/medication-related-visual-hallucinations-what-you-
- Side effects -Antibiotics https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/antibiotics/side-effects/
- Garlic: a review of potential therapeutic effects https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
- Garlic https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garlic
- Top seven safe, effective natural antibiotics https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321108
- Memory Loss https://www.webmd.com/brain/memory-loss
- A systematic review of St. John’s wort for major depressive disorder https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5010734/
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) may provide antidepressant activity in anxious, depressed humans: an exploratory study https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22894890/
- Lavender and the Nervous System https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3612440/
- Omega-3 fatty acids and the treatment of depression: a review of scientific evidence https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5481805/
- Drug-induced priapism. Its aetiology, incidence and treatment https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2651850/
- Endometrial Cancer https://www.breastcancer.org/treatment/side_effects/endo_cancer
- Alternative cancer treatments: 10 options to consider https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cancer/in-depth/cancer-treatment/art-20047246
- Plants Against Cancer: A Review on Natural Phytochemicals in Preventing and Treating Cancers and Their Druggability https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017674/
- Reporting of drug induced depression and fatal and non-fatal suicidal behaviour in the UK from 1998 to 2011 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4184159/
- Medicinal Plants for the Treatment of Acne Vulgaris: A Review of Recent Evidences https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4740760/
- The environmental side effects of medication https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1299201/