Is a Natural Remedy Always the Better Option?
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The first known medicines were natural remedies, usually made from herbs, plant and animal materials. For centuries, herbal medicines were the only treatment of choice, their popularity waning only with the discovery of modern treatments and the production of new drugs and medications which were often synthetic. But there are still quite a large number of people who rely on a natural remedy to heal and treat common ailments. Are all-natural remedies effective and safe enough for everyone to use?
What constitutes ‘natural’?
There is an active debate regarding the use of the word ‘natural’ when it comes to labeling consumer goods and medications. So what exactly constitutes a natural ingredient? A natural material is any plant, animal, microbial or mineral ingredient that is produced in and by nature, directly obtained or extracted from the source or through the use of a simple and natural chemical reaction that occurs naturally as a biological process. It is something that is produced with the least physical processing and does not contain synthetic ingredients and petrochemicals. Honey in its pure form, for example, is considered natural while an artificial sweetener isn’t.
Today, a natural remedy can frequently be found in alternative medicine practices such as naturopathy, homeopathy and ayurveda to name a few. All of these have centuries of history to support them and many practitioners and their patients swear by their efficacy.
Benefits of natural remedies
Natural remedies have been in use for millennia. Ginger, for example, was commonly used to battle nausea while garlic was used for its antibiotic properties. They are still being used for these purposes today, which means that natural treatments have centuries of usage behind them as proof they actually work.
Natural medicine also doesn’t contain chemicals that are known to cause adverse reactions such as preservatives, extenders, emulsifiers, artificial flavors and coloring. Organic shampoo, for example, does not contain SLS (sodium lauryllaureth sulfate), which is an additive that creates suds. While it adds a luxurious feel, it really isn’t a necessity in shampoos and is a culprit in many types of skin problems including dandruff and scalp allergies.
A natural remedy is also generally cost effective and can be purchased even without prescription.
Are there any disadvantages to naturally-sourced remedies?
Like many forms of treatments, a natural remedy has both benefits and limitations. Many herbs, for example, are used to prevent diseases but not treat them. They cannot be used to aid a patient suffering from serious illnesses like a heart attack or a broken bone. Because the industry is largely unregulated, natural therapies and medications are open to individual interpretation, which presents a very real risk of overdosing on certain ingredients. That is why it’s always a good idea to consult with a trained professional or experienced herbalist and alternative medicine practitioner in order to ensure the safety and integrity of any natural treatment.
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