Prescription medicines are vital today, whether to extend life or give a better quality to it. However, they have a cost as well — side effects. If you’ve ever listened to the voice-over on a commercial for one of them, it seems like the list of potential problems goes on and on. Some people, therefore, prefer to treat themselves with items found in nature under the idea that our bodies will be better able to process them. That’s not to say homeopathics don’t have side effects, they most certainly can. That's why you should always consult your healthcare team before trying any of them.
Hemp Products
The U.S. government recently passed the 2018 Farm Bill with a provision that legalized the sale of hemp and other products which, unlike marijuana, do not contain THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive ingredient in the plants. Now, people may freely buy CBD pills, powders and oils online or in local shops. These may help alleviate the symptoms of many health-related issues, such as:
- Chronic Pain
- Anxiety
- Cancer/Chemo
- Gastroparesis
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Epilepsy
Prior to this, it was hit-or-miss as each state, sometimes each city, made its own rules. Thankfully, this hodgepodge is now relegated to the dustheap of history.
Lavender
Many of us, when we think of lavender, tend to picture the tall purple flower found in many floral arrangements. It is that, but it also is used by many as a natural remedy for a variety of reasons. It’s fairly common knowledge that using the plant oil in a diffuser and inhaling the resultant mist is thought to relax and soothe a person who may have had a stressful day. Likewise, similar effects are attributed to using it as an additive to warm bath water and having a good soak. There are some lesser known applications too. Some say that rubbing it on the temples will relieve the pounding of a major headache or migraine. Other anecdotal evidence points to help as a sleep aid for insomnia by placing the flowers in the pillowcase (probably in a bag or sachet would be best). Still, others use it as a topical solution for eczema and acne.
Magnesium
This sits at number twelve on the periodic table of the elements (for those scientifically minded) and is found in every cell in the human body. In this case, let’s look at what can happen when magnesium levels get too low, known as hypomagnesemia. This can lead to many health issues such as diabetes (type I and II), osteoporosis and even alcoholism. Taking supplements containing this crucial mineral can help keep a body’s store of magnesium at proper levels. This is yet again another example of an ounce of prevention being worth a pound of cure since refilling the stock in the cells can take years in some cases. For most people, mild to moderate excesses in the bloodstream creates no issues as it is excreted through the urine.
To reiterate, prescription drugs are vital resources in today’s world. However, plants, herbs and minerals were used by apothecaries for centuries before the first pharmaceutical company was ever founded. As always, make an informed and researched decision before deciding to take anything that impacts the chemistry of the body.
