Herbal health supplements are increasing in popularity as people are realizing more and more they have to take responsibility for their own health. Add to that the rising cost of health care and the aging population and it makes a lot of sense to take care of your own health.
Nutrition is the best weapon we have in the fight against poor health. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and obesity can all be helped with the correct diet. However a lot of the food we eat today is less nutritious than it was 20 years ago thanks to depleted soil condition and poor handling and storage practices. As well as this there is a widespread lack of knowledge concerning nutrition among the general population.
Junk food or fast food is becoming an epidemic these days. People have less time to cook and junk food is cheap and readily available. Add to that the clever marketing these fast food manufacturers use and it’s hardly surprising that many of us base our diets around these types of food. The problem is these foods are full of fat, salt and sugar and sadly lacking in nutrition. This is leading to many overweight adults and almost an entire generation of overweight kids.
This is where herbal health supplements can help. There is a wide array of supplements that can be obtained both from the drug store or from the health shop. But how would you know which to buy?
The best supplements are those made from food, not those chemically manufactured. Yes the chemical supplements are usually cheaper, but they are not as bio-available. This means they are not easily absorbed and generally end up being excreted by the body. Food based health supplements such as those sourced from herbs and other natural substances are absorbed completely and are therefore more cost effective.
You can buy supplements to simply maintain your general health or for specific conditions. For general health maintenance, you can get small doses of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants conveniently combined in just one daily tablet. For more specific conditions such as arthritis, diabetes or migraine, it may be best to consult a naturopath or herbalist who can best recommend a treatment tailor made for you.
How do herbal health supplements compare to western medications? Typical medications as prescribed by your doctor generally only target the symptoms of a disease, leaving the cause untreated. This usually leads to the complaint recurring unless your body can heal it on it’s own. Natural supplements tend towards prevention, or if disease is already present, A herbal remedy to cure both the symptoms and the cause of the disease. This then ensures the condition is fully dealt with and is unlikely to recur again and again.
There is a myth out there that herbal remedies are not as effective as modern medications for curing health problems. However most diseases respond well by using herbal health supplements which are potent substances with excellent healing capabilities. Wendy Owen is a Holistic Health Therapist and owner of TheNaturalHealthExpert.com
