Herbal nutrition is often considered a fad, but if so then it’s the longest lasting fad in the health care industry. The use of herbs as nutritional supplements goes back farther than recorded history.
On the other hand people looking for alternative nutritional ideas often turn to herbs thinking that since they are natural, they must be better than man-made medications. By that logic, eating hemlock would be better than taking aspirin to cure your headache. Yes, eating hemlock will surely cure your headaches, but at what price?
The really funny thing about herbal nutrition and both its advocates and opponents is that using herbs to make one healthier is really no different from using many medications since more than a few of those little pills have herbs or other plants as a major ingredient. And, just like medication, herbal nutrition has its disadvantages.
For one thing, just because the herbs you eat may be all-natural, that doesn’t necessarily make them healthier. Before engaging in the benefits of herbal nutrition to make you healthier and feel better, be aware that in addition to being outright toxic, eating some herbs in any form can send you to the bathroom or the hospital room.
Herbal nutrition is often frowned upon by the medical establishment because herbal remedies are subject to the same rigorous process of approval by the Federal Drug Administration that medication must go through. No doubt this outrage is partly justified, but also partly a case of sour grapes.
At the same time that the big pharmaceutical companies are crying foul against the herbal nutrition remedies that are either causing legitimate health problems or are being sold despite having no value whatever, they are also attempting to block effective—and more importantly cheaper—herbal treatments for the very same ills they are hoping to charge you and arm and leg to treat with their colorful little pills.
The truth is that herbal nutrition has a tried and true history that dates back to every known civilization that has ever existed on earth. In fact, many of these civilizations still rely quite heavily on herbal treatments. The Chinese, for instance, continue to rely on ancient traditions even when they use them in conjunction with modern science. Even in societies less dependent on traditional methods, the use of herbs in one form or another can be seen.
Herbal nutrition can be pursued in several different forms. There are some herbs—notably garlic—that proves just as effective when taken in pill form. Many prefer to retrieve the benefits of a move toward more herbal nutrition in the form of teas and infusions.
These can no longer be found just in health food stores, but in major supermarkets as well. Herbal nutrition has a long history of efficacy to point back to, but that doesn’t mean it’s a flawless program. Always do your research before taking any herbal supplement or remedy.