As many of you know, I suffer with scoliosis (aka curvature of the spine) and experience daily pain with it. I like to be open and honest about it on my blog because I know from people people I've spoken to over the Internet that my posts help to bring some comfort and support to others who also suffer from scoliosis pain. Today I've decided to talk about herbal remedies and explore whether or not they're worth looking into for different medical complaints.
What are Herbal remedies and where can I get them from?
Herbal remedies are made from plant materials that are used to treat disease and help maintain good health. They have been used since the beginning of human history. There are different traditions that use plants as remedies. Herbal remedies (often referred to as herbal medicines) have been used in the UK for centuries. Today they are used mostly as a complementary treatment (given alongside conventional treatments). Herbal remedies can be brought from trusted websites such as napiers.net.Are herbal remedies effective?
Results from studies show us that:
- St John's wort can alleviate depression
- echinacea may prevent or reduce the duration of a cold in adults
- an extract of hawthorn, used in addition to conventional treatments, can benefit people with chronic heart failure
- ginger can relieve the sensation of feeling sick and vomiting
- Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) and Salvia officinalis (sage) may improve mental ability in people with Alzheimer's disease
- horse chestnut seed extract can treat the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (where blood in your veins doesn't flow properly)
The scientific evidence for the use of herbal remedies is often conflicting and although the symptoms of some illnesses improve with some herbal remedies, the best evidence doesn’t prove that herbal remedies cure illnesses. (Information from Bupa)
Joints & Backache
For me, I'd be looking at herbal remedies to help my back pain and from researching Flexiherb and Napiers Joint Ability are two that stand out, with Flexiherb going to be my own personal choice I think. FlexiHerb is a traditional herbal medicinal product used for the relief of aches and pains in muscles and joints. It is traditionally used for: backache, rheumatic pain, muscular pain and other general aches and pains, so I think that's pretty much what I'm after.
I'm going to be ordering mine but whilst I wait for it arrive I'd love to know if any of you have tried any herbal remedies before? And if so - what did you think to them? :)
Please note: I am not qualified in this area. Information source is mostly from Bupa UK. Please speak to your own GP for further advice in this area.
I really think herbal remedies can help, fab post!
ReplyDeleteLiza | Beauty Blog Glambeautys | YouTube | Family & Lifestyle Blog Glambambini
Great thanks, can't wait to try mine! x
DeleteI usually go for the herbal method when I have a cold, my favourite thing by far is homemade honey and lemon! I usually add a clove too which really spices it up and makes it much more enjoyable, 3 mugs a day and I get such a boost from it! x
ReplyDeleteOo I need to give this a try, Thanks. :) x
DeleteI've just been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia and would love to know how you get on with this. I am trying to source alternative pain relief other than the standard prescription from the drs.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Nicola
Ginger does the opposite to me, it makes me feel quite sick when I eat something with it in x
ReplyDeletewww.beautyqueenuk.co.uk
My mother-in-law is very into natural medicine so have learnt a lot from her. Def the way forward x
ReplyDeleteI've tried some herbal remedies before (St Johns wort for anxiety, ginger for morning sickness etc) but have never found it personally helped me :(
ReplyDeleteBut I have heard other people say it works great for them!
xx
My mother swore by herbal remedies and she was forever giving advice on what to use when one of us was ill or had aches and pains
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of herbal remedies and have used them in the past.
ReplyDeleteI am also a fan of them - I use herbal remedies to help me sleep!
ReplyDeleteI've never really used herbal remedies, but then I rarely need anything which is a good thing. I have been using honey and lemon or ginger on the odd occasion I've had a cold as I've been pregnant then breastfeeding, then pregnant and now breastfeeding again!!
ReplyDeleteI'm a big fan of all things natural. I always make my own beauty products and believe strongly in using tee tree oil and honey on my skin. Herbal remedies really need to be considered more
ReplyDeleteI also have scoliosis, disalligned hips and one leg slightly shorter than the other. It was a complete nightmare during pregnancy.
ReplyDeleteCat
http://www.rockandrollpussycat.co.uk/
I don't every use herbal remedies because of the amount of medicine I take, and I've been made aware that the 2 shouldn't be mixed as it can be dangerous, otherwise I'd be quite interested
ReplyDeleteI try herbal remedies some times
ReplyDeleteI always go down the herbal route whenever I can. Much better than taking all the pills and med's from the doctors.
ReplyDeleteBeen very tempted by herbal remedies but never actually tried any myself.
ReplyDeleteiv tryed herbal remedies, i would rather use them than prescribed overpriced prescriptions
ReplyDeleteI tried a herbal remedy for nits when I was pregnant! That didn't work to be fair, never tried any others.
ReplyDeletemy little girl is poorly at the moment and on steroids for 16 weeks if these dont help i am considering herbal as nothing else will help if the steroids dont :)
ReplyDeletevery interesting blog thanks, I would always rather choose herbal remedies than medicines x
ReplyDeleteNatalie Gillham
Thank you for this fabulous blog post. I do believe in the properties of some herbal remedies and always use them to help where I believe they have useful properties. I have used ginger to help relieve sickness and nausea, and arnica is great to help relieve bruising and swelling. I have also found Bach's Rescue Remedy invaluable!
ReplyDeletei haven't tried them myself but i know many who have and swear that they work
ReplyDelete