All too often these days, patients are encouraged by their doctors to seek radical pharmaceutical treatments for conditions that we humans have treated perfectly naturally for millennia. Here are a few common ailments and some alternative therapies that actually work.
Aloe for Acne (And Other Skin Conditions)
Acne is an incredibly common skin ailment, particularly among adolescents. While powerful pharmaceutical drugs can take care of the most severe cases they will be overkill for most acne sufferers. Aloe has potent skin healing properties, the mechanisms of which are not fully understood. The use of aloe stretches right back to the beginning of recorded history. Aloe also contains anti-inflammatories, antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it useful for skin ailments other than just acne.
Strep Throat
Strep throat is a nasty bacterial infection of the throat. It causes pain and inflammation and can affect children and adults of all ages, but is more prevalent in younger populations. A conventional pharmaceutical treatment for strep throat involves antibiotics, which while not in any way harmful themselves, do contribute to the rise of superbugs resistant to current antibiotics and therefore they should only be used as a last resort. Drinking warm (not hot) drinks such as tea mixed with lemon and honey will help soothe your throat. Conversely, some people find that cold drinks numb the throat and relieve some of the discomfort. Others also find that adding salt to water and gargling the mixture provides some temporary relief.
Anxiety
Anxiety is an incredibly common thing for people to experience during their lifetimes and experts of all fields are conflicted on the best course of treatment. While counseling and medication can be extremely effective for the most severe cases, many people for whom symptoms are much milder have found that treatments such as infusions made from hops and kava among other plants have been shown to improve depression and anxiety. Valerian, chamomile, and lavender, which can be served as either an infusion or crushed and swallowed, all offer sedative and calming effects once administered.
Insomnia
Insomnia is another condition which is a lot more common than most people think and is characterized by a continued inability to sleep despite feeling physically tired. Insomnia can range in severity from mildly inconvenient to completely debilitating. All pharmaceutical options carry the risk of addiction and dependence, as well as long-term difficulty in establishing and maintaining sleeping patterns. Sedative plants such as kava, evening primrose, hops, and valerian are effective treatments for when one can’t sleep.
While western medicine certainly has its place and you should always consult a qualified physician before making important medical decisions, but it is worth being aware of the options alternative medicine has to offer. Often natural remedies are better tolerated and less likely to cause allergic reactions while many of the pharmaceutical products carry side effects which can range from unpleasant to being nearly as debilitating as the conditions that the drugs are supposed to treat.
