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Re: Supplements/Herbals

Posted by Scully on March 21, 2001 at 14:26:03:

In Reply to: Supplements/Herbals posted by I don't understand on March 18, 2001 at 16:16:24:

Before getting into an argument over this, there are some points to consider:

- Everything carries a certain amount of risk, especially if you are not careful, i.e. cooking or crossing the road. Nothing is absolutely safe.

- Anything in excess is bad for you, even water (i.e. you can drown).

- So-called alternative medicine encompasses a much wider variety of treatments than 'conventional' medicine, i.e. homeopathy, Chinese herbs, natural supplements, accupressure, etc. It's impossible to generalize on the safety and/or effectiveness of all of them.

- Every individual is different, what works for one person doesn't work for another and reactions to medications and other products also vary widely, take the nut allergy as an example: nuts are harmless to most people but some have died just from traces of nuts in foodstuffs.

If you follow the indications and dosage, supplements and herbs are likely to have less side effects and/or interactions with other substances than drugs, but they can also be less effective, especially in severe or chronic cases. Supplements are meant to help with mild or occasional symptoms, they're not meant to be substitutes for proper treatment. This same principle applies to all over-the-counter remedies, most of which carry a warning such as "if symptoms persist for more than x days or worsen, please consult a physician". You're not going to see a doctor everytime you've got a headache or a cold, you'll just take painkillers and decongestants. However, if the symptoms do not go away after a reasonable amount of time, you'll need treatment.

Valerian root, passiflora, etc. are not meant to be miracle remedies for chronic insomniacs, they're likely to have tried everything by now. They are meant to help with situations such as stress at work, an interview or exam, jet lag, an argument with your boyfriend, etc.

Consider yourself lucky if these remedies work for you, otherwise seek alternatives. It's a simple as that. Bear in mind that just because a product is given some sort of official endorsement or is prescribed by a doctor it doesn't automatically become safer and/or more effective.

Insomnia has countless causes, in many cases its origins are psychological. Taking drugs may help you sleep but will not get to the root of the problem. You may want to consider other alternatives such as psychotherapy, hypnotherapy, analysis, meditation, mind control, etc. in addition to oral remedies, natural or chemical.

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