When asking people what they thought natural remedies were I received a plethora of answers – from herbal weight-loss to aromatherapy stress reduction to even chiropractic practices. So which one of these defines natural remedies?
All three of them describe what is commonly referred to as natural remedies, or alternative medicine. They are an all-encompassing solution to what ails us in this life. They are considered to be an alternative medicine as they do not fall into what we Western civilizations consider to be medicine. There are no prescriptions, no immediate surgeries, and no harmful chemicals involved.
Natural remedies involve holistic and earthly approaches to improving one’s body, whether it is home remedies, natural health, natural ways of weight control, and everything in between.
What Are Some Other Natural Remedies We See Today?
Some other examples of natural remedies in today’s society are:
Yoga
- Meditation
- Traditional Chinese medicine practices
- Hypnosis
- Acupuncture
- Naturopathy
- Biofeedback
These natural remedies all aim to improve our health and quality of life without altering our body’s chemistry. Instead, they work with our bodies to help us achieve our health goals, such as improved immunity and weight loss.
Why Do People Doubt The Effectiveness Of Natural Remedies?
Perhaps you have heard that natural remedies are foolish and do not work (this is usually heard from people in the medical community). There are grounds for this statement, as alternative medicinal practices haven’t had enough conclusive studies and research done to prove their effectiveness.
There are people who even claim that natural remedies don’t even help them in the slightest, particularly when it comes to homeopathy and hypnosis. When this argument is raised to the alternative medicine community, the general response is a shrug of the shoulders and the statement, “Well you just have to try it out yourself!”
Who Do Natural Remedies Work For?
In many cases, such as hypnosis, the stronger that one believes that it will work, the greater the success. Just as with anything in life, if you doubt something is going to work for you, chances are you will find every excuse in the book to override any “success” and claim that particular thing is “useless”.
Because of the “belief” factor when it comes to natural remedies, many people accuse these medicines to simply be a placebo and not really offer any “real benefit”. However, placebos when given in the medical community have shown to have a real benefit to those who are taking them. Time and time again people who are unknowingly taking a sugar pill as a substitute for a prescription drug for a particular ailment end up feeling better because of their belief that the pill is making them better.
Why Bother Taking Them If I Don’t Know They Will Work?
Natural remedies do work for the majority of the population – even many who are apprehensive or doubtful when it comes to their effectiveness.
There are also significantly less injuries when it comes to taking, say, a herbal supplement (1 out of 200,964) than taking a prescription drug (1 in 125). Frightening statistic, isn’t it? For instance, natural weight loss aids are just as effective as and far safer than those diet pills we see on the television today.
Ultimately, the chance of you causing yourself harm by trying natural remedies to resolve any ailment is very slim. They are generally less expensive, better for your body, non-habit forming and work with your body’s chemistry rather than change it. This means less or no nasty side effects such as mood swings, fatigue and decreased sexual interest.
So what is my stance on natural remedies? “Well, you just have to try it out yourself!” You’ve got nothing to lose.
To Your Total Wellbeing
Gee Hollings
Thanks for this very excellent article… This is just what I had been looking for. I will certainly be back again.
Hello! Can you tell me how i can register mail at google google http://google.com
Do you mean subscribe?
I have tried several natural remedies, herbs, vitamins, chinese medicine and acupuncture, i believe it compliments western medicine to get better results. The world of alternative therapy is mind blowing and it is of my personal passions as i have seen its amazing power first hand.
Regards
BelindaO
BelindaO´s last blog ..Choosing the right Hair Care Products for you!
Hi Belinda
It is amazing the remedies that are available in nature and in the kitchen cupboard. We can all learn a lot from the old ways
Hi Gee,
Thanks for you wonderful blog – I love it. I am a huge fan of natural remedies. I remember whilst growing up my parents and grandparents would use store cupboard remedies for common ailments such as colds, nosebleeds, coughs, pain etc. Things like lemon, ginger, honey, tumeric and many more had more use than cooking ingredients. We rarely visited the doctor and my grandfather also used acupressure on us.
I also believe that the mind and emotions play a huge role in our healing. As an acupuncturist, I have seen in clinic on many occasions when patients have visited for pain relief, that actually there has been stress or emotional stuff involved and dealing with this has helped to ease the physical pain. I usually advise my patients to have a balanced lifestyle of work, rest, play, diet and exercise just like the ancient Chinese did and to live as close to nature as possible. It’s not always easy with modern day hectic lives but I do feel that there is some mileage in living as naturally as one can.
I look forward to seeing your forthcoming tips.
Best wishes and good health
Mita
Hi Mita
Thanks for your thoughts. The mind and body are very much linked. Too bad the medical profession don’t appreciate this
I am a natural therapist and I use mainly Emotional Freedom Techniques, EFT, Neuro-Linguistic Programming, NLP, and Celestial Resonance. EFT often works when other remedies don’t.
Wal Heinrich´s last blog ..Genetically Modified Foods – Are They Worth the Risk?
Hi Wal
It is amazing how many different alternative therapies are available. I bet your customers love your various techniques
Hello Gee,
Thank you for your article and tips – your blog is fantastic. I am a huge fan of natural remedies also. When I was younger my grandparents would often use store cupboard remedies for common ailments such as tumeric as an antiseptic, ginger and lemon for colds, concoctions of herbs for all kinds of problems and various acupressure points.
It’s amazing how many natural remedies we have access to with little or no side effects. I also agree that the mind, body and spirit are “one” and therefore, illness in one aspect will affect the others. I have seen this in clinic many times (I’m an acupuncturist) – a patient will visit for knee pain and it turns out there is some emotional stuff going on. I am amazed how treating and resolving emotional issues can reduce physical symptoms also..
I also feel that diet and exercise have a huge impact on our well-bieng and the key to living healthily is to have a good balance of healthy food, exercise, water, work and play..
I look forward to reading more tips
Mita
Thanks Mita for your kind thoughts.
I trust you will continue to enjoy the blog.
Gee
Hi Gee
Yes I agree with you on many points ,having stumbled in to the use of natural healing remedies myself. A couple of riders though: hypnosis in my opinion is not a good idea. Your mind is your own! I have heard of people experiencing problems as a result of (perhaps untrained?) people taking over this important organ. Faith of course achieves a huge amount but it’s not faith in nothing. Faith is only as valid as its object. Also many Chinese herbal products I have discovered have toxins in them through poor quality controls so it’s wise to shop around!
John Reason´s last blog ..Why I am a fan of natural detoxification
Hi John
Yes each individual needs to do their due diligence.
Hypnosis can have its place with things such as quitting smoking, although the will to want to still needs to be there.
Hi Gee
So glad I found your site as your article is a fantastic read and a most beneficial reminder that there are many opportunities for us with our health and well being.
I so agree that belief plays a major factor in all our health and life opportunities. The mind and our belief plays a strong role in our body and emotional state. To be open to all forms of help is a great thing as then we can listen to our own bodies to make an informed decision as to what our body desires most. There are many forms of natural remedies and am truly thankful to all the healers we have here on this wonderful planet.
This is a site that I will visit again and again. Thank you.
Cherie Rasmussen´s last blog ..Learn Internet Marketing – How To Get Started
Thanks Cherie for your kind thoughts. I hope you enjoy all the content that is coming up
G’day Gee,
It’s great to find other people into natural remedies. I really love your layout and content.
My favourite is Osteopathy for which we have a genius osteopath on the Gold Coast, Malcolm Hampson at Riverwalk Chiropractic, Robina. He has kept thisn piano playing person supple and active for years – playing piano Kills one’s back.
Also into nutrition, supplements 5 Km walks, and huge water consumption.
Cheers
Harry
Harry Lynn´s last blog ..My Sixth Step to Prosperity
I used osteopathy for an injury to my back that I sustained in my youth. I wish we had a good one here.
Hi Gee
Great article have the view that Natural is so much better, one thing I believe can cause so many problems is all the chemicals in products today
Rita´s last blog ..Passion Persistance and Patience
Yes Rita all the chemicals are doing us no good.
Hi Gee,
I love acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine. I had never tried it until I was seriously injured.
I didn’t have a negative view of it. I’ve just always been pretty healthy.
After I was injured, I had surgery and lots and lots of physio. Most times, I left in more pain than when I went in.
A friend suggested I try Acupuncture. It was awesome. I had no pain after one session. The results were so incredible I wanted to marry the poor Acupuncturist.
I love your site and I’ll be back.
Have a great day,
Jazz
Thanks Jazz.
Now the pressure’s on!