# 6 Reasons Why You Should Switch To Herbal Medicines

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/6-reasons-why-you-should-switch-to-herbal-medicines/
- Published: 2021-02-10T11:01:00-05:00
- Author: Eillin Delapaz

Most people get so used to treating their health conditions with pharmaceutical 
pills that the thought of using herbs as medicine seems outdated to them. The idea
of using a bunch of herbs to improve your health might even invoke images of old
peasant women or quack doctors. It’s important to remember that the herbs were all
that people had for a long time in history. And the herbs had served them well in
curing their ailments before the modern pills came up.

So, would it be right for you to switch to [herbal medicines](https://gherbal.com/us/connect-with-g-herbal)?
The following six reasons claim that it would be.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image1-2.png?
resize=626%2C411&quality=50&ssl=1 "image1 - The Green Living Guy")

Chinese [herbal medicine](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/02/how-effective-is-water-for-electricity/)
Photo courtesy of Freepikcom

## The Wisdom of Ages in Herbal Medicine

[Herbal medicine](https://greenlivingguy.com/2021/01/5-organic-herbs-natural-spices-that-will-help-strengthen-your-immune-system/)
has been in use for more than thousands of years, and millions of people worldwide
have used different types of herbs. No scientific study or trial has been around
for longer than herbal medicines. When you think of it like that, the number of 
people worldwide who believe in herbal medicine is more significant than any group
chosen for a scientific trial. 

The insights about medicinal herbs go from generation to generation, usually within
families. The herbal healers noticed how the sick birds and animals eat specific
plants or herbs to purge or self-medicate themselves. You will find evidence of 
using plant-based medication on Ancient Egypt’s Papyrus to the Sumerians’ clay tablets.
The ancient scriptures mention the use of over eight hundred types of herbal medicine.

## The Safety Factor Associated With Herbal Medicine

An essential benefit of herbal medicine is that they are usually safer than those
synthetic pharmaceuticals. When you take herbs as a whole, the compounds present
in them buffer any harmful action they might have. 

For instance, meadowsweet helps in treating stomach ulcers. But, when taken as aspirin,
the salicylic acid present in it causes stomach ulcers. The same thing applies to
Kratom and its myriad health benefits. On this note, you can try the [best Kratom vendor konakratom.com](http://konakratom.com/)
for various health issues. The whole herb has liver protective elements and works
to improve overall health conditions. Plants are chemically complex living organisms
that have several medicinal qualities. Unlike the pills, herbs don’t isolate a particular
health condition and only work on relieving it.

![Flat lay assortment of dried plants in cups of tea](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image3-2.png?resize=626%2C417&quality=50&ssl=1 "Flat
lay assortment of dried plants in cups of tea - The Green Living Guy")

Flat lay assortment of dried plants in cups of tea Photo courtesy of Freepikcom

## The Raw Materials for the Pharmaceutical Drugs

Herbs being pharmacologically active, serve as the raw material for modern medicines.
The ancient records of hands-on, practical herbal knowledge help the basis development
of modern pharmaceutical science. At present, ethnobotany has come up as the way
to go for discovering new medicines.

[Artemisinin found from sweet wormwood](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3017680/)
in China helped in the discovery of new-age antimalarial drugs. In 2001, the scientists
had recognized nearly 122 chemical compounds used in modern medicine that come from
various traditional herbal sources. A few examples of medications that have plant-
based ingredients are colchicine, atropine, quinine, ephedrine, digoxin, and aspirin.

## Treatment for a Host of Diseases in Herbal Medication

Herbs can deliver outstanding therapeutic results for particular conditions. For
instance, think of St. John ‘s-wort that is renowned for its antidepressant properties.
[Studies](https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/st-johns-wort-and-depression-in-depth)
have depicted that St. John’s-wort is an effective treatment option for mild to 
moderate depression and has lesser side effects than other prescription meds. 

There are many other options like St. John’s wort. Echinacea can also improve the
natural immunity of the body. Sage and lemon balm can work together to increase 
mental prowess in Alzheimer’s patients. When you combine the knowledge of Ayurveda,
Chinese medicine, and Western herbalism, you will find many more such examples. 
Herbal medication can address health conditions like anxiety disorders, IBS, diabetes,
high cholesterol, and eczema.

![](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image2-1.png?
resize=626%2C417&quality=50&ssl=1 "image2 - The Green Living Guy")

Fresh herbs Photo courtesy of Freepikcom

## Reducing the Load of Hazardous Chemical Wastes

The [pharmaceutical industry](https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/herbal-medicine)
generates a significant amount of hazardous wastes through the manufacturing, distribution,
and selling processes. The waste us usually in the form of unused medications, over-
the-counter personal care products, used test strips, and so on.

Though waste management is an integral part of the pharmaceutical industry, there
is no solution to these byproducts released from the process. It is a cause of concern
because failing to take care of the wastes can cause serious environmental and health
hazards. Herbal medicines help reduce chemical waste and contribute to a greener
environment.

## The Affordability of the Herbal Medications

The cost of healthcare is [rising each year](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/07/rising-demand-puts-pressure-on-proven-reserves-which-have-not-seen-a-significant-boost-in-30-years/),
and so are the prices of even necessary drugs. The corporate pharmaceutical companies
continue to drive up the prices in a bid to outdo each other. The good thing is 
that natural options are already available in the market. 

Herbal medications are more cost-effective compared to pills and capsules. So, even
if you switch to herbal medicines for common ailments like cough and cold or back
pain, you’ll save a lot.

![6 reasons why you should switch to herbal medicines](https://i0.wp.com/greenlivingguy.
com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/image4-2.png?resize=626%2C417&quality=50&ssl=1 "6
Reasons Why You Should Switch To Herbal Medicines - The Green Living Guy")

Herbal medicine Photo courtesy of Freepikcom

## Summing Up

It is essential to mention that herbal medicine’s effectiveness depends on the herbs’
quality. So, whether you grow a few herbs in your garden or source them from a seller,
make sure not to compromise with quality. Once you get started on the side effects
of free natural medicines, you won’t go back to the pharmaceutical pills.

_**Author: Lisa Dinh**_

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s=300&d=monsterid&r=g)

 Eillin Delapaz

 [See Full Bio](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/eillin/) [  ](https://greenlivingguy.com/author/eillin/)