Are herbal remedies for real? ?

Question

I have known a few people who swear by herbal remedies, but I am suspicious. Anybody out there have any personal stories regarding their experiences (positive or negative) with herbs?

Answer 1

Beware of people who leave answers that promote the company they are affiliated with. For example, you buy products from the company listed in the Source section, and the person who answered your question gets a commission.

Answer 2

I had sinusitis so badly that I could not lie down to sleep. For months I sat up with my back supported by the head of the bed in order to get some sleep.  It was so bad that everything I used would not respond.  I almost die from the last prescription I got for the condition.  My friends introduced me to herbal remedies and now I'm sinus free.

I used ParaCleanse & BotanaCleanse quarterly for one year

For the first 3 months of my cleansing period I used the following products (eliminating one each month and finally continuing with just Cold RX)

Cold RX

Optibreath

Genesis

Botana G

Immunity

Ever since the first day I use Ultra Vitality NutraPack for overall nutrition.

I also had a nerve problem and used Tranquility.  That helped also

I did a diagnostic test that damaged the nerves regulating my reproductive system and digestive system.  That too I corrected using a combination of

Genesis

Glucosamine Formula

Skin Renewal Caplet

Ultra Vitality Crystals

Aloe Plus

Juice prepared from our local nuni fruit

My digestion is back to normal, my bowel is better than it was even before the damage was done.  The dryness associated with my reproductive system is corrected.

I used to have chronic back pain in the morning.  That is corrected.

A very close friend of mine who had a severe case of what I would call over production of mucus.  He would be pulling from his throat from the moment he gets up 5am until way pass 9am huge lumps of mucus consistently spitting.  He started on the same set of supplements I used for my sinus problem and that condition improved after a few months.

Two other friends of mine was diagnosed with cancer and is now well after using herbal products.  One used the product during the period she was on medical treatment.  The other did not want any medical treatment at all.

Another friend of mine was always ill after retuning from his vacation, after I introduced him to Cold RX he has that problem no more.

Another lady with kidney stones decided she did not want to use the method recommended to her by her doctor used BotanaCleanse, Cold RX and Bio-infinity and passed all the stones.

I've seen supplements/herbal product successfully help persons with Prostate Problems, Eye Problems, Diabetes, Blood Pressure Problems, Arthritis, Migraine and much more.

Answer 3

IMHO i think herbal remedies are real. Some have been used for centuries. The advantages of herbal remedies is they're natural and seldom have dangerous side effects.  

Answer 4

Suspicious?

Think about this:

How long have human beings existed on earth? How many people even in the world today have access to what we call modern medicine?  How do they help themselves?

Of course herbal remedies work.

Some people will tell you that only natural medicine is best and some people will swear against it, but what's wrong with the old and the new?  Thousand-year-old cures cannot simply be denied credit because a synthetic drug does the same thing.

The truth is many natural cures are safer than prescription drugs, but that doesn't mean we don't need modern medicine.  In extreme cases modern medicine can save your life where natural cures cannot, like reattaching a severed limb or digit.  But for everyday cures and healthy maintenance of your body why not use something safer and cheaper?

Answer 5

My experience has been that they work, but it's very difficult to find the answer on your own.   Most advice available tell you to drink herbal teas, but they are the weakest herbal remedy.  Tinctures are more powerful.  

With the help of a naturopath, I've been treated successfully with herbal products for depression, insomnia, and sinus infestions.  

The other thing is they are not as quick to work as drugs.  They can take up to two weeks before you see any improvement in your symptoms.  

Answer 6

not most of them.  Many people think that they have no side effects but thats not true.  There just haven't been any FDA tests so side effects have not been listed because none have officially been observed and therefore do not need to be recorded

Answer 7

First of all, personal stories, anecdotes or testimonials are a useless way of determining if something is "real" or not.  The plural of anecdote is not evidence.  The best way to show a real effect is by objective independent randomized double blind testing.  This is very easy to do for herbal treatments...it is rarely done by those who promote them however.

Second, herbs have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years.  It was determined through trial and error which herbs might help, which might kill.  Plants and man co-evolved through natural selection.  Many modern pharmaceuticals are derived from plant sourced (Tamoxifen from Yew tree bark, Digitalis from foxglove etc)

Herbal remedies are therefore at the plausible end of the AltMed continuum. (Homeopathy being at the implausible end)  The problem is no herbal treatment has ever been shown to be equal or superior to standard therapy.  Neither do they have a lower incidence of side effects.  Furthermore, the biggest problem with herbal treatments is consistency.  With most of them, even if they do appear to work, the active ingredient isn't known, and there can be a lot of variability from one plant to another because of soil conditions, sunlight etc.  

Quality control is a huge issue with herbals.  Until they can solve that problem, they will have a limited role in modern medicine.

Answer 8

What has been beneficial to you so far in today's medical world? Have you been totally satisfied with what progress has been rendered to you from doctors, medical caregivers and hospitals? If you have any questions in your mind about the 'sincerity' of most of those in the medical profession, then you must check out what GOD has made available for you. YOU must read everything carefully before you purchase any product. Also, you must carefully read the details on the alternative products offered to you in the health stores. YOU can be allergic to alternative products as well. Above all, be careful about your choices and make common sense choices. I wish you success in your search.