Natural Pain Relief Vs. Conventional Medicine

"Stuffy nose, watery eyes, toenail fungus they have a medicine for that." Over the past decades we have grown dependent on conventional medicine to fix whatever ails us. So much so that they are finding the need to create stronger more potent drugs to keep up the effectiveness of the medication. This is very dangerous. While some medications have been researched for 2 to 3 decades others barely have 2-5 years under their belts. The issues that are developing as a result of lack of research are many and now more and more people are turning to natural medicine or alternative means to help them with their pain.

The truth is before their was Western medicine all cultures used some sort of natural remedy to improve their health and deal with their pain. Many of which were very affective. In ancient India they used a system called "Ayurveda" records of these natural remedies date back to 5000 B.C. There are ancient text documented as far back as 1000BC entitled "Rigveda" and "Atharva-Veda" discussing ancient medicines and classical Ayurvedic texts. There is a safety issue with this system; Toxicity caused by heavy metals when the medicine is not prepared properly. However overall the system has been working for many centuries and is still being used today.

In Ancient Chinese Cultures natural remedies have been documented since the 16^th and 17^th centuries and adapted to western medicines today. In 1970 The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences added 796 prescriptions made strictly from 246 plant and animal ingredients. Western medicine has currently adapted many of the Eastern traditions in their medical practices. Patients are learning there are fewer dangerous side effects when using herbal medicine than conventional medicine.

Below are some pros and cons of Alternative medicine Vs. Conventional Medications:

Pros:

Alternative pain Medications-

Less Side effects

No addictive ingrediants

Easier Access-[forgoing the need for prescriptions]

Your body is less likely to develop immunities

Your body is more likely to be accepting of medicine [ Less Allergies, side-effects]

Cons:

There is less documentation on alternative medicine

Less research/studies done on Alternative medicines

Some interactions with conventional medications

Conventional Medications:

Pros:

More research/studies done on Medications

More documentation/FDA Approved Treatments

[in some cases]Faster results

Faster Results and pain relief

Cons:

Side effects

addiction

Higher doses needed - longer you take it

Developing immunities to medications

Some reactions can occur to the medications

Though many doctors feel that western conventional medication is better for you; many are realizing that sometimes the side effects are worse than the conditions they are treating. Alternative/natural remedies offer you the opportunity to experience a different form of healing. In the end the decision is up to you. Make sure you research all your options before making your decision and an open mind can help you see both conventional and natural medicine objectively.

Sources:

Chinese Traditional Herbal Medicine
By: Rebecca J. Frey
http://findarticles.com

Ayurveda
Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayurveda

Alternative Healing Vs. Conventional Medicine Pt. 2
By: Jem Bacchus
http://www.alternative-health-4.us/Alternative-Medicine-vs-Conventional-Medicine-Pt-2.html