natural remedies ...what are people's thoughts

Deals_2

on it. i really believe that it can cure a lot of things but my partner is very stuck into traditional medicine and doesn't believe anything i say on this front. any ideas appreciated.

TheWaltons_3

Of course natural remedies work. How would we have survived this long without them?

The only reason prescription drugs are pushed on us so much is it is massive money generating for the Goverment - the Pharmaceutical companies are worth billions.

Many many years ago, people only had natural remedies. Now they have prescription drugs, but many people are turning away from them in favour of Homeopathic remedies and such like.

EDIT: Before anyone jumps on me, I am not implying you should come off whatever prescription drugs you may be taking!

Toothsmith

Traditional medicine?

Getting bled? Having holes drilled in his/her skull to let the demons out? Sour urine for colds? Bats broth for the pox?



And don't get me started on homeopathy again - THERE 'ENT NOTHING IN THE PILLS!!

Some herbal remedies can be OK, but as in homeopathy, a lot of the healing can be in the belief of either patient or practitioner, or both.

It really gets dangerous though when people are persuaded to get potentially life-threatening conditions 'treated' by them.

TheWaltons_3

Toothsmith wrote: »

Traditional medicine?

Getting bled? Having holes drilled in his/her skull to let the demons out? Sour urine for colds? Bats broth for the pox?

I think you're getting mixed up with Witch Drs... !!

But to Deals, traditional medicine isn't the kind practised by Drs. What is the correct terminology? Is it conventional?

Sharifa_2

Allopathic medicine is 'traditional' medicine in the sense of modern drugs.

Hapless_2

Deals wrote: »

on it. i really believe that it can cure a lot of things but my partner is very stuck into traditional medicine and doesn't believe anything i say on this front. any ideas appreciated.

Always talk to a herbal specialist and your GP as some natural medicines can interfere with prescription meds.
By specialist I mean a real bona fide Dr. who specialises in herbal/natural remedies not someone who works in the local hippy shop.
Natural and herbal does not = safe.
(Years ago hemlock would be given for epilepsy, just had the problem of being kinda extremely deadly.)

Claudie

I am a few chapters in to reading Food is Better Medicine Than Drugs - my GP actually recommended it to me and I am finding it quite thought provoking.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Food-Better-Medicine-Than-Drugs/dp/0749927100/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1/026-5801978-1802065?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1183496831&sr=8-1

I know there are drugs that are life changing, and there are drugs that are absolutely necessary, but I also think perhaps we can more more accountable for our own good health on a general well being and day to day basis.

And imho if a placebo works - that's great, as long as it works, it works.

But never do anything without discussing it with your GP who knows your history and your needs.

Sharifa_2

I use some herbal remedies that I make up myself as it's an interest I've had for years, but I research thoroughly. As Hapless has rightly pointed out, herbal medicine can be very powerful and can have just as many side-effects as drugs.

Deals_2

i know sometimes you have to use antibiotics but i also think you have to mix with traditional (herbal remedies)

TheWaltons wrote: »

I think you're getting mixed up with Witch Drs... !!

But to Deals, traditional medicine isn't the kind practised by Drs. What is the correct terminology? Is it conventional?

Justie

personally I believe in a holistic approach to health and find the conventional NHS approach quite compartmentalised. Having said that I wouldn't trust herbal medicine just because it's herbal. Some herbs etc can be helpful and some such as St Johns Wort have been proved to have clinical effects but these should be respected as drugs and used only as prescribed by a qualified person with an understanding of how they interact with other drugs etc. Using foods, exercise and other means to increase health are all good though and prevention is always better than cure whether using 'natural' or manufactured medicines.

Nicki

Had herbal remedies been the answer for everything there would have been no need, and no commerical justification, for the pharmaceutical industry to develop. Whilst drugs are sold for huge sums compared to their production costs, they also cost vast amount to develop and research.

Equally, if all herbal remedies didn't work, then mortality rates over the years would have been even higher than they were. Some pharmaceuticals are based on the old herbal cures.

So, its horses for courses. I would always recommend taking advice from an expert whichever route you choose first, but if the natural path doesn't work, would try the pharma route, and vice versa.