Natural remedies

More and more people are turning to naturopathic medicine with their Natural remedies to. These remedies are considered to be gentle helpers that are well tolerated and whose application comprehends the person and his illness holistically. Today there are a large number of different therapeutic approaches that work with natural remedies.

What are natural remedies?

Who at Natural remedies thinks, usually means the medicinal herbs. Herbal medicine is probably one of the oldest forms of healing.

Thousands of years ago, plants were used to fight diseases, some of which are now unknown and are only being rediscovered. But the understanding of natural remedies or “natural remedies” must go far beyond that. Because everything that nature gives us and is beneficial to health belongs to it: water, light, air, earth, food. Our good old “home remedies” are also natural remedies.

Natural remedies serve in particular to strengthen the immune system, improve general well-being and often also harmonize body and psyche. They are opposed to chemically produced drugs, which intervene strongly in the body's processes.

Medical application, effect & use

The application of the Natural remedies, by the way in the meantime already valued in conventional medicine, results from the starting product.

Water, light and air mainly have an external effect. Herbal medicine, also known as phytotherapy, is mainly used internally. Everyone knows the water applications of Pastor Sebastian Kneipp, who at the same time also relied on the use of medicinal herbs and a conscious diet. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the 5-element diet or the Indian art of healing Ayurveda with diet according to the doshas also understand food as medicine.

Various far-sighted doctors have then recognized that the healing starting products - such as herbs - work even better if they are not taken directly, but are first subjected to a processing process. In this way, the active ingredients are broken down, extracted, diluted or energized, depending on the approach. Natural remedies work rather gently, so that the healing effect often only sets in after a certain period of use.

In many cases, the goal of natural remedies is to stimulate self-healing powers. So it is a holistic form of treatment.

Natural, herbal & homeopathic natural remedies

Many "alternative" therapeutic approaches use the positive effects of Natural remedies in the form of natural, herbal or homeopathic starting products. Kneipp therapy relies primarily on water, while aromatherapy relies on essential oils to be rubbed in and inhaled.

Home remedies such as heat applications (red light, hot water bottle) or simply a walk in the fresh air, exercise, an oatmeal soup or chamomile tea for stomach problems are just as effective natural aids as an expert massage.

Herbal medicine works with the healing power of vitamins, minerals and trace elements of plants. Hormone-like substances in certain medicinal plants (phytoestrogens) are used in the treatment of menopausal symptoms. The active ingredient is prepared in a suitable form and concentration as a capsule, tablet, tincture, tea or externally as an ointment.

For example, while TCM works a lot with herbal teas and decoctions, the English doctor Dr. Edward Bach in his Bach flower therapy on the energetic effect of his 38 selected flower essences and the positive influence on the psychological state of the patients.

Homeopathy, founded by the doctor Samuel Hahnemann, works with more than 2,000 herbal, mineral and animal active ingredients that are extremely diluted ("potentiated") by shaking and rubbing. The principle of homeopathy is “cure similar with similar”: A sick person receives the preparation which, in concentrated form, causes the same symptoms in healthy people. Schüssler salts also belong to the homeopathic remedies.

Risks & side effects

Natural remedies can also have side effects and must be taken in the correct dose. Therefore caution is advised with self-medication.

A naturopathic physician, homeopath, alternative practitioner or pharmacist are suitable contacts. They help you choose the right preparation and give advice on dosage.

Means from organic cultivation, a common seal of quality and proven production according to medical standards provide security. Natural remedies can cover a large part of ailments. In the case of a serious illness, however, it never replaces a doctor's visit and, if necessary, scientifically proven pharmaceutical medications.