Should you trust natural remedies to control diseases?

There have been many surprises in our medical history, with many mysteries getting unfolded and many to unfold, confounded in our tradition.  Since the inception of the modern system of medicine, we had virtually forgotten that the treatment methods are all around us, in our homes and surroundings, and actually, we are a product of it.

Throughout the maritime history, International traders had been rerouting their ships towards the Indian subcontinent lured by the richness of the spices and medicines. All the ancient civilizations from across the globe created their medicinal system, but the ancient system is the most methodical and holistic in both the ideas and measures.

But now when medical science has progressed so much, do the natural remedies have space? Are people opting natural treatment procedures? 

As per CNN reports, around one-half among the medical schools are offering courses in holistic health care. Now the World Health Organization estimated around 65 to 80 percent of the world’s population opting holistic medicine as the primary health care means,

 India  is a home to holistic medicines, not to forget Ayurveda and Yoga, Naturopathy or Siddha, though paradoxically Ayurveda was not so popularized in India, yet it has given to the world the form of medicine which has been in practice in India since decades and is a treatment of almost all the ailments and diseases.It is now second-largest exporter of medicinal plants and drugs in the world, second to China in ranking and together they generate more than 70 percent of the herbal medicines across the globe.

There are many herbs in and around nature we also have some of the best in our kitchen garden. Many of these plants are also now being extracted to create medicines, with the best one I can mention about is Gingko.

Gingko: It is one of the oldest plants and key to Chinese medicines. Its leaves are used for tablets, capsules, and extracts, and when dried can be consumed as a tea too. It can boost brain health and treat patients with mild to moderate dementia and Alzheimer. The other herbs are:

Turmeric: It has anti-cancerous properties and also prevents DNA mutations. And as an anti-inflammatory, you can also take it as a supplement.

Evening Primrose Oil: It gives an oil that reduces the symptom of PMS and skin conditions like eczema.  Some studies have also found that evening primrose oil has anti-inflammatory properties. It cures atopic dermatitis and diabetic neuropathy and reduces breast pain.

Flax Seed:  It has anti-oxidant and anti-inflationary properties. It can prevent colon cancer, reduce obesity and blood pressure. Many people add flaxseed meal to oatmeal.

Echinacea: These are pretty purple coneflowers and had been in use since centuries as medicine in the form of teas, juices, and extracts. They are today taken as powders or supplements.

Chamomile: These resemble small daisies is another medicinal plant that has anti-anxiety properties having a tea flavor. These can also be ingested through liquids, capsules or tablets.

According to the studies by Pharmacognosy & Ethnopharmacology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, India is home to medicinal plants, with an average of around 250,000 registered medical practitioners of the Ayurvedic systems are found in India, in contrast to around 700,000 of the modern medicine.

 In India, scientists have discovered around 20,000 medicinal plants, but traditional practitioners use only 7000-7500 plants as a treatment for many types of diseases. The proportion of the usage of the plants in the different Indian systems is Ayurveda 2000, Unani 1000, Homeopathy 800, Tibetan 500, Modern 200, Folk 4500, Siddha 1300, etc.

Naturally, people are nostalgic about healing with home remedies which are a combination of natural+ wholesome good. Herbal preparations have very little side effects and experts claims as these are more effective than the conventional and modernistic medicines. 

The synthetic drugs for human brain disorders give serious unavoidable side effects with poor patient compliance. This is a reason why herbal and Ayurvedic treatments are preferred over synthetic drugs that include Alzheimer disease, depression, epilepsy, schizophrenia, anxiety, etc. Ayurvedic medicine has been in use to control many neurological symptoms.

There is no limit to the number of herbs which has scientifically proven medical properties. But before opting for any herbal treatment, consult an Ayurvedic expert.