Advantages And Disadvantages Of Herbal Medicine

[minisoji]

Advantages Of Herbal Medicine

* Allopathic medicines are very costly. In contrast, herbal medicines are very cheap. This cost effectiveness makes them all the more alluring.
* Herbal medicines can be brought without prescription and they are available in all most all health stores. Some herbs can even be grown at home.
* For certain ailments, herbal medicines are considered to be more effective than allopathic medicines.
* Herbal medicines do not have any side effects, as they are free from chemicals. They are also milder than allopathic medicines.
* The natural detoxification process of the body is effectively enhanced by herbal medicines. They can be used to cleanse the colon, improve digestion and food absorption. Herbal medicines are also very good in boosting the immune system.
* Herbal medicines are very effective in curing various digestive disorders like colitis, indigestion, peptic ulcers, and irregular bowel movements.
* These types of medicines are best for people who are allergic to various types of drugs.
* Herbal medicines are also effective in boosting the mental health.
* Most of the ailments related to blood circulation like high blood pressure, varicose ulcers, and many others can be controlled through herbal medicine.
* Some herbal medicines are very good in reducing the cholesterol level in the blood stream. They are also used to treat coronary artery diseases.
* Herbal medicine can be used to reduce weight by regulating appetite.


Disadvantages Of Herbal Medicine

Herbal medicines do have quite a few disadvantages.

* The main drawback is that herbal medicines take too much time to act. The entire process is very slow. When you go for herbal medicines, it is best to have immense patience.
* There is also a remote chance that herbal medicine may not give the desired result.
* Herbal medicine is not good for serious trauma like broken bones. It also cannot heal a heart attack. It is also ineffective in sudden illnesses and accidents.
* Some plant chemicals can be toxic to the body. In addition, certain ingredients react differently with different people. So, it is always necessary to test the herbal medicine to check that it is not allergic to the body.
* For some ailments, herbal medicines can cause negative side effects. These side effects may also take a long time to revel.
* Herbal medicines are also not properly regulated and so they do not carry any quality assurance.
* Herbal medicines require very good practitioners and these are very few. Most of the ‘doctors’ that populate the commercial herbal remedy market are not qualified and so people must stay away from them.
* Some herbal medicines can interact with medications like antidepressants.

[Vega]

The one thing that I don't like about herbal medicine is that they are unregulated. While I am sure there are great herbal medicines, my fear is that many are diluted with fillers and sugars. I would love to see more research done on herbal medicines to find out whether they are truly beneficial to one's health.