Utilizing Plant Based Medicine for Wellness
At one time or another, we have all gone to the doctor with an ailment of some sort. Whether it be minor or major, most doctors spend approximately 15 minutes with the patient and send them off with a prescription. It seems that most people are taking at least one medication daily, while some are taking a multitude. Some patients even take prescription medication to offset the side effects of other prescription medication! Such a plethora of medications are not only hurting people’s wallets, but their overall health, as well. Ironically, the very thing that is supposed to improve overall health could be the culprit in maintaining poor health. But is there a better way? Could there possibly be a way to not only improve health and maintain it, but actually help patients to save more of their hard-earned money? The answer seems to be right in our own backyards.
Weeds, Herbs, Flowers, Oh My!!!
We all know that taking multiple medications every day is not good for our health. But what is the alternative when these medications help with pain? The answer, it seems, is thousands of years old. Before modern medicine, many ancient civilizations studied the world around them, and this often-included plants. They unlocked the secrets of the different plants around them. What often looks like weeds to us, was powerful medicine to them. Many of these plants could be eaten as is or crushed up and brewed into a tea. Some were even smoked in a pipe or applied directly to the skin. These plants helped with everything from minor aches and pains to serious diseases.
Healing Herbs
Some medicinal herbs are things that you may already have in your kitchen. Take turmeric, for example. Turmeric is a spice most commonly used in Indian cuisine. However, according to healthline.com, turmeric is also an anti-inflammatory and research has shown promising effects on arthritis when consumed regularly. Flaxseed had become more popular in recent years. According to healthline.com, flaxseed has the ability to reduce blood pressure and even help people lose weight when consumed on a regular basis. While we have all heard that lavender can help us get a better night’s sleep, most of us are not aware of its anti-inflammatory properties. It has also been shown to aid in anxiety and aid in the relief of migraine headaches, according to healthline.com.
Wonderful Weeds
Weeds are an often-overlooked source of pain relief. Most people think of dandelions as a pest. However, according to verywellhealth.com, dandelion is revered for its diuretic properties, and many believe it helps with insulin sensitivity and different stomach issues. Another common weed, stinging nettle, is believed to help with kidney stones and even allergies. Chickweed produces a cute, little white flower but don’t let that fool you. It can be used to treat wounds, coughs, and constipation.
Controversial Plants
While many naturalists argue that cannabis is not to be taken lightly, there are many people that enjoy using their glass water pipes to imbibe this plant. According to FDA.gov, “Marijuana has proved so beneficial in those cases that there are now a handful of FDA-approved prescription drugs that contain cannabis or synthetic cannabis. These were designed for and are used to treat AIDS- and cancer-related anorexia. And the FDA has approved a cannabis-based drug to treat seizures in children with rare and severe forms of epilepsy.” While the cannabis plant is still a schedule 1 drug under federal law, there are many movements that are overturning laws that affect this traditionally vilified plant.
The list of medicinal plants could easily fill volumes books. Researchers are just now scratching the surface of the many different plants and their effects on health and wellness. It should be noted, however, that when it comes to plants and health, they are not studied by the FDA. Therefore, it is always best to err on the side of caution and always talk to a professional health care provider before ingesting any plant. Different plants can have different side effects, so it is very important to have proper training in how to identify and handle each plant. However, with more and more people demanding more natural remedies, it may not be long before we are able to get more plant-based alternatives to different medications.
