How to Care for Yourself With Natural Alternative Medicine
More than ever before, patients and their physician are working closely together in an attempt to seek out less intrusive and systemically complimentary medical treatments with the use of alternative medicine. Both doctors and their patients are beginning to see the benefits of an educated patient stepping forward to work for their own recovery rather than waiting passively for it to occur.
- Know what you wish to treat. Herbal supplements are wonderful things, yet in order to truly get value out of them, you should have a fair idea of what it is you desire to treat. If you are in doubt about where to start, speak with your physician. They can help point you in the right starting position.
- Research what you plan on using. Many of today’s pharmaceuticals are derived from plants and then either processed or synthesized. What this should tell you is that the herbal supplements you are looking over for your ailments are every bit as much a medication as the pills your doctor prescribes. This means that an herb can have negative side effects, it can interact with and against certain medications you might be taking at the time or even harm you when you take too much of it. The difference here, is that the responsibility of finding out if it is right for you is all on you rather than your doctor. There can be risks, yes. Yet once you are aware of those risks, you can maximize therapeutic benefits.
- Familiarize yourself with not only the herb you intend on taking, but also those that it might interact with. Become aware of any side effects, benefits, or any possible interference with the medications you are currently on. Take charge of your health decisions by bringing the herbal options you find to your doctor and tell him you would like to try them out. Never make the mistake of thinking that you do not need to let your primary health care provider that you are taking, or are about to take, an herbal supplement.