| If you are feeling a little under the weather your first | | | | services and provide detailed information on the |
| thought may be to visit the doctor. This is especially | | | | usage of their products. |
| true if your symptoms remain even though you have | | | | One difference with natural remedies is that when |
| tried various over the counter products. This is | | | | you choose this option you will need to take greater |
| exactly the right thing to do. You should always seek | | | | charge of your health care than you might have |
| the assistance of your healthcare provider if your | | | | under a doctors care. Alternative medicine may be |
| symptoms become chronic and will not go away. | | | | the right choice for you if traditional medicine has not |
| In some cases the following scenario develops. You | | | | helped. You can purchase natural herbal remedies |
| see the doctor and get a prescription based upon the | | | | through skilled and reputable providers for far less |
| diagnosis from your doctor. You return to the | | | | than many prescription medicines. They often have |
| doctors office because the prescription did not help | | | | few if any unpleasant side effects those traditional |
| you. The doctor says well if that medicine did not | | | | medications are prone to have. The Natural Health |
| work we can try this one. This can repeat itself | | | | magazine is a good source for information on the |
| several times and still you do not feel any better. | | | | safe and effective use of herbal remedies. |
| Eventually you ask your doctor about natural health | | | | Remember that herbal remedies are not tested by |
| remedies and learn there really is no medical reason | | | | the FDA so you use them at your own risk. |
| not to try an alternative medical approach. At this | | | | You should not experiment on your own with natural |
| point you may be ready to try something new as | | | | health remedies. Herbs and homeopathic remedies are |
| you feel you have nothing to lose. | | | | easily obtainable. That may not be a reliable indication |
| A natural remedy is really just that. It is something | | | | of how safe they are. Do your homework and if you |
| produced by nature rather than in a laboratory. | | | | do not know for sure, assume a herb could be |
| Natural healing remedies involve using healing | | | | dangerous to you and proceed with caution. |
| substances and techniques that are not generally | | | | There are many great resources. One resource book |
| found in mainstream medicine. These include things | | | | on how to safely use herbs is Natural Health |
| like acupuncture, hypnosis, herbal medicines, | | | | magazine's Complete Guide to Safe Herbs by Chris |
| biofeedback, massage therapy, and homeopathy. | | | | Meletis. Chris is a certified naturopath. This book is |
| Alternative medicine does not involve traditional | | | | quite comprehensive and defines the natural |
| medicine approaches such as surgery and prescription | | | | properties of herbs. It clarifies their safety when |
| medications. | | | | combined with other herbs or prescription medicines. |
| Some practitioners such as massage therapists are | | | | Chris also covers toxic herbs that should be avoided. |
| licensed and have acquired specific skills and education | | | | When used appropriately natural health remedies |
| to practice their craft. However herbal healers are | | | | often provide relief from symptoms where traditional |
| not licensed. You need to develop a sense of their | | | | medicine has not helped a person. There are fads in |
| skills based upon personal recommendations and their | | | | natural remedies that should be avoided as well as |
| years of experience. Of course the internet is | | | | scams and over hyped infomercial products. Do your |
| another source of herbal remedies. The more | | | | homework and find a skilled, reputable practitioner |
| reputable internet companies offer consultation | | | | that you can trust. |