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["roxann" <roxann AT ancientearthwisdom.com>]

Yes, I mean the allopathic drugs prescribed by doctors. The reason I don't 
trust them is because our bodies did not evolve to recognize them as they 
have with plants and herbs. A prescription drug isolates one compound or one 
component of what makes a plant effective (if it is a plant-based drug), and 
then synthetically reproduces it. Herbs contain dozens or more components 
that work together to bring about a change or make an effect, and even though 
sciences identifies one or two of them as the 'active' ingredient, they all 
work together and i don't like separating out the 'active' ingredient. For 
example, the plant once used in a lot of diet products, ephedra, has a 
component that brings about the desired metabolism increase. That's the one 
identified as "active". It also has other components that counteract that 
component and helps to keep actions in the body more balanced. When only the 
active ingredient is separated out and used, it causes all kinds of health 
issues and now the herb has been labeled as "dangerous and bad". But if the 
whole herb is used for the things it is good for, opening sinus and bronchial 
passages, for example, it is not dangerous when used with restraint and 
common sense. Unless of course, you are already on medications that might 
interact with it and intensify the effect it causes. 

For emergencies like heart attacks and broken bones, allopathic (western 
medicine) is great and can be more reliable than 'natural medicines' like 
herbs. For in between issues, like cuts, burns, colds and infections, I 
prefer the herbs first. part of 'lifestyle change' means being willing to 
take a few days out of work or school to nourish and rest the body. It might 
also mean quitting a stressful job, but high-paying job and downscaling life 
in general. This is an approach frowned on by the fast-paced, so-called 
'normal' society. For long-term chronic issues, i'd go the route of diet 
change, lifestyle, and herbs first and resort to prescriptions last. 
Sometimes, with the natural approach already in place, it is easier to safely 
add the prescriptions if your doc is open to prescribing smaller doses to 
find the least amount necessary to effect the desired change. I haven't found 
a doctor like that yet, but hope I do if I ever need long term meds.

Roxann, NW AR
http://blog.ancientearthwisdom.com (Ozark Musings from the homestead)


 -------Original Message-------
 From: bobf <bobford79 AT yahoo.com>
 Subject: Re: [Homestead] medication / supplement combos and danger
 Sent: 27 Dec '08 17:04
 
 Roxanne, when you say you don't trust drugs, do you just mean the hyped drug 
company products?  You have taught yourself a lot about herbal remedys, is 
that not just 'natural' drugs?
 
 You are correct, to a large extent, about the influence of the drug reps.  
But, alot of prescribers do take the time to investigate the newer drugs and 
in a lot of cases, are hesitant to prescribe, no matter how many nice dinners 
the drug reps buy....................
 
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