NATURAL REMEDIES AND OTHER REMEDIES

NATURAL REMEDIES AND OTHER REMEDIES

With the onslaught of so many new drugs appearing more frequently, the public have been encouraged for years now to select remedies from natural sources, often termed alternate or complementary medicines. These over-the-counter products can at times be as effective as some prescribed items but more recently observation has revealed that certain dangers can result from their intake.

The point of interest is the fact that we do not harvest or consume as the ancients did and this could be an issue.

Unfortunately many contain metals, steroids and pesticides which can lead to kidney and liver damage. Some herbs may contain potent toxins and unlike regular medications no labeling with warning signs are apparent .
However fascinating and appealing, some African “pavement remedies” containing concoctions of leaves, barks, roots and seeds may well serve their purpose but not be conducive to the more sensitive “western constitutions”.

There are just too many herbs, roots and so on to mention here but what is often heralded as having incredible powers is St .Johns Wort especially in cases of depression and anxiety having as good an effect as prescription drugs like Prozac. The herbal contents bind to enzymes in the liver, this being a precautionary warning.
Panic attacks and nausea are at times reported as well as an unpleasant clash with other medications.

Through time immemorial, human beings have conjured up remedies and one would not imagine that in the 21st century some beliefs still remain solid such as butter or oil on a burn, when ice is needed to slow down the deterioration of the cells.
Another old wives tale involves the use of toothpaste to clear up acne, whiskey swilled around in the mouth for toothache and the application of pesticides for lice!!

More recently the use of colloidal silver became the rage with the incredible belief of it having healing powers, even given to ones pets.
There are in fact no magical qualities regarding these slivers of silver combined with a cream which are toxic, the build-up of which can ultimately result in a bluish tinge to the skin. Its popularity may have its roots in the old English saying that the wealthy and privileged were “born with a silver spoon in their mouths” !

Experimentation will always continue but the old saying “better safe than sorry” is still a good yardstick to go by.