Stressed with your college life? We all know that feeling too well. However, popping Advil and caffeine pills aren't the best solutions for your body. If you constantly consume these pills, you will lower your immune system's ability to respond. Herbal supplements are definitely a popular alternative. A national survey completed in 1997 by Prevention magazine showed that approximately one-third of the American adult population uses herbal supplements.
The number of people adopting a naturopathic form of medicine is increasing every year. Naturopathy is the use of herbs and certain methods to allow your body to heal on its own. People choose to use herbal supplements because they are made entirely from plants, which may result in less severe side effects as compared to traditional medication pills. Herbalists state that the advantage of taking supplements instead of pills is that prescription drugs can be addictive. Furthermore, many people find that over-the-counter drugs are ineffective or that they usually cause severe side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, anxiety, irritability, memory loss, or even paranoia.
So in what ways do herbal supplements help us? We've all had terrible days when we feel angry, depressed, and aggravated by everyone who approaches us. Since our mind and body deeply impact one another, when we're feeling "down," negative stress is added onto our bodies. Many individuals experience a certain level of depression or 'the blues' at some point in their lifetime. In fact, one out of twenty Americans suffer from depression disorders.
An extremely popular herbal remedy for depression that is on the market is St. John's Wort. Anti-depressant pills work by preventing serotonin in your body from depleting too quickly. Many patients that normally take Prozac actually prefer St. John's Wort. Researchers are not sure exactly how St. John's Wort works in the body, but it has been proven to help many anti-depressant patients. St. John's Wort was first used during the crusades to treat battle wounds, and today, researchers have found various additional health benefits. It has reputable effects of improving your energy level, promoting mental awareness, and reducing anxiety.
Although herbal supplements are completely natural, you should always consult an herbal specialist or a pharmacist as well as informing your doctor of your intentions before usage. Herbal supplements are not FDA approved products so one should use caution when purchasing any of these products. I must also note that herbal remedies may not work for everyone, and they can still act like drugs. Therefore, herbal remedies and medication should never be mixed. However, overall herbal remedies have given many people successful results and healthier life styles. They may even work for you.
Josenia is a first-year student studying biological sciences. In the future, she wishes to work in a science-related field, possibly in medicine.
