Humans have a very long history of utilizing natural methods for the treatment of illness and ailments, dating back hundreds of years. Many of these methods are still popular today, via holistic medical approaches and the power of naturopathy. Prescription drugs are also necessary for a variety of conditions, however, and if you’ve ever visited an online pharmacy like BigChemist to buy medicine online in india, you likely noticed that there’s quite the huge selection out there. Overall, when it comes to managing your health, it’s all about choosing the right methods that are most beneficial to you. Here’s a look at some pros and cons when it comes to comparing natural methods with prescription drugs.

 

The Pros: Some Benefits of Natural Methods

First, here are some of the benefits you can experience when opting to go with natural treatments. Often, natural supplements can be less expensive and more easily obtainable than prescription medication. There’s also quite a wide variety of supplements out there to choose from, and a quick search online can lead you to a slew of uses. Natural cures can also be found right in your cabinet at home, in the form of relief for coughs, colds, sore throats, stomach aches, and various muscle aches and pains. The Times of India suggest gargling salt to soothe the pain of a sore throat, and boiling carom seeds to relieve cough and chest congestion. Often, remedies like these can save you or your family members an expensive trip to the doctor, and may clear up the most troublesome symptoms and have you feeling better in no time without the intervention of prescription medications. You can treat yourself in the comfort of your own home, with ingredients that you know are safe, natural, and likely to be gentle on your system. The best part about these natural remedies is that they often have no side effects, unlike prescription medications.

But illness isn’t all you can use natural methods for. Experts at The Hindustan Times recommend a variety of home treatments for truly pampering skin care, including the use of common ingredients like oatmeal, yogurt, and lemon juice. Even ice cubes can have a positive effect on the skin! And Indian Express recently reported on the popularity of organic gifts this Diwali, including health and skincare products prominently featuring one of the most well known natural remedies, neem. Neem has a variety of different uses, and is a must have when it comes to stocking up on helpful natural remedies.

 

The Cons: Where Prescription Drugs Trump Natural Remedies

Now here’s a look at some of the downsides of natural methods of care. Perhaps first and foremost is the fact that often, herbal and natural remedies are not effective against very serious illnesses. Of course, this is not always the case, but it’s up to you to decide whether or not you’d rather opt for a prescription treatment or a natural approach in the case of a serious medical condition. In cases like these, sometimes natural methods may serve better as a supplement or aid to prescription treatments. Sometimes, a combination of the two may be the best approach to the condition you’re suffering from. For example: while turmeric is known to be helpful in relieving arthritis pain, as noted by Prevention, your case of the condition might be so serious that this natural method isn’t always enough. You might find yourself needed a prescription medication to deal with the pain on some days, while other days a supplement of turmeric is enough. Or, you might use them together for a double boost. The same can be said for supplements like cinnamon, which is said to lower blood sugar. If you’re living with diabetes, you’ll want to make sure that you have your proper prescription medications on hand– it might not be very wise at all to solely rely on a natural remedy.

 

In the Doctor’s Office

In addition to supplements and natural methods you can use at home, the medical practice of naturopathy is also on the rise. By helping you to make healthy lifestyle changes and monitoring aspects of your life that fall outside the typical spectrum of a medical examination, a naturopathic doctor can suggest such natural treatments like acupuncture or chiropractic care to treat illnesses or a wide variety of health conditions you may experience.

Overall, the choice to go with natural or prescription remedies lies with you. When it comes to making personal decisions about your health, you are the expert authority on what works best for you. Of course, it’s wise to always consult a doctor when determining the best course of care, and a natural approach might not always be enough. You might need to approach different situations on a case-by-case basis in order to ensure that you are choosing the right method of care, whether it’s prescriptions, natural methods, or a combination of both. However, there are plenty of cases in which a natural approach might be your first–and ultimately effective–choice for care.