10 science-supported alternative remedies
I'm skeptical of supplements, alternative remedies, herbal fixes, and the like. I'm holding back, in fact, on purchasing something called Bromelain, a mixture of enzymes found in the juice and stems of pineapples. Bromelain is believed to help with the digestion of protein and believed to help combat inflammation. But does it really? Will it perhaps help reduce the swelling of my post-tummy-tuck belly? I'm not sure. Science isn't sure either.
Science is sure about these 10 natural cures, according to this St. Petersburg Times newspaper article.- Tea tree oil for dandruff
- Acupuncture for migraines
- Yoga for insomnia
- St. John's Wort for depression
- Echinacea for the common cold
- Aloe vera for sunburn
- Chiropractic treatment for back pain
- Peppermint for indigestion
- Glucosamine and chondroitin for joint pain
- Chasteberry for premenstrual syndrome
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
5-18-2008 @ 11:56AM
Judy said...
When I was pregnant with my first son (second child) I had such unbelievable heartburn the entire time that I was miserable constantly. I tried everything - antacids, cutting certain foods (spicy foods, chocolate) out of my diet, eating tiny meals at a time, not drinking water with meals - but nothing helped. Seriously, drinking water gave me pain. Finally, I started sucking on peppermints, and as long as I had a peppermint IN MY MOUTH the pain went away. I went through bags of peppermints. I'm surprised I didn't rot out my teeth. And the old wive's tale about lots of heartburn meaning a hairy baby? FULL head of dark hair - he looked like Suri Cruise.
I am glad to see natural remedies getting some serious consideration. I hate the idea of turning to a pill before trying something more natural and with fewer potential negatives. (Not that there are no negatives because it's natural.)
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5-19-2008 @ 2:30PM
gary said...
I too have been wary about the intake of too many prescriptions. I have been using medications to cure every little bit of infection that I acquire and sometimes even those that don't need antibiotics to begin with. Guess that the best way to fight infections is to keep the immune system strong. Certainly, constant use of medications can somehow impair the body's immune defenses so that when a condition is not life-threatening, it would be good to use herbal preparations or the standardized ones as alternative. A related reading below
http://www.herbalsupplementshealth.com/2008/03/the-integrative.html
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