Why do people use so much alternative & natural medicine stuff?
595679
because they figure since they are natural that they are not "medicine" and therefore feel better about taking it.  some of the things i think are ok but some people fall for a bunch of crap.  some of the commercials and things you see out there i honestly dont know how anyone would buy them.  im a pharmacy student and work at the hospital and you always hear the docs ask where some patients find some of these meds that they are on, some arent even legal here in the us, they buy them from canada and other places and its ridiculous, most of the junk they buy is from the internet and we just sigh.
160863
"Natural" is a trend that seems to go in and out of style ever 20 years or so--right now herbal sales are falling (or at least not growing, depending on whom you ask).  But among the natural therapies, naturopathy is the fastest growing field.  \n\nIf I were you, I'd first check out which therapies were legal in my state and go from there.  (In some states naturopathy and homeopathy are actually illegal.)  Then I'd check out the most legitimate training programs I could afford.  I'd stay away from diploma mills and those "schools" with questionable accreditations.
889675
In my opinion...........\n\nAlternative Medicine can also be called " Preventative" medicine...\n\nWhy do you go to the doctor? not to prevent something- normally you already have it!! And that is all western medicine is good for. If your healthy- or seem to be they can't help you. They only treat illnesses. If your vomitting- they give you anti-nausea medication, if you aren't dialating fast enough (or to were they think you should be) they give you patocine. \n\nNow in an Alternative medicine stand point they start by using everyday natural, techniques to keep you healthy. Lots of herbs, practicies etc that keep your immune system up and help fight infections. \n\nAlternative medicine works more towards working with and helping what your body is already capable of. Your body will fight disease on its own- alternative medicine makes sure it has what it needs readily available to fight that infection. Where a western medical professional would wait till your body had trouble fighting the infection then would prescribe a chemically inhanced product to help fight the infection for your body. Doesn't help inhance your bodies immune system at all.
496079
Damn good question. Id say because most of the population is un educated. \n\nThe only good way for optimal health is thru sound diet and exercise with NATURAL supplements.
271493
I'm not sure I understand your question.  Are you looking for the native plants which are the source of synthesized pharmaceuticals?  Are you looking for natural remedies, as opposed to pharmaceuticals?\n\nMaybe you want to know if certain plants are effective as medication?  Or perhaps you want to know where to get tinctures or other natural plant remedies.
526298
Forget pills. Today's society eats too much. We eat because it's time to, not for what we should be eating for - which is energy. Most people eat far too much than what they actually need.
684044
Tradition.  What their parents did.  What their insurance company will pay for.  What other people expect.  lack of knowledge about homeopathy.  Lack of taking responsibility for your own health care - thinking a doctor will take care of it.  Culture that says you cure things by taking a pill.  Media, advertisements on TV.  Etc.  But mostly culture and tradition.
430002
Prescription drugs and other conventional medicines made in medical labs are synthetic and only mask the symptoms - they do not cure the disease or real cause of the problem.  In fact, they are filled with additives that create health problems in other body organs which will occur at a later time and have to be treated as well.\nAntibiotics are especially bad for us because they destroy the good bacteria that our bodies need and create yeast in our system.\nI think a good natural pro biotic, immune system strengthener plus liquid minerals and enzymes, along with a healthy diet and keeping our bodies toxin free is the best way we can protect ourselves from disease.\nBad germs and bacteria cannot live in a body that has healthy cells, is toxin free and maintains a proper pH balance (alkaline).  It is said that "all disease begins in the colon"..until we change our diets and start keeping our bodies as toxic free as possible, no medicine is going to protect us from any disease.
628236
Of course. There are many types of alternative medicine that although not supported by the scientific community. Have their own community of standards that allows them to be effective. It's important to understand that modern medicine has the hype and unless you have the charisma to produce your own hype you will not be very successful in alternative medicine. When I say hype I don't mean lies, although allot of hype is lying. I'm talking about advertising, and reputation. If your goal is to make $$$ then you should study traditional medicine so traditional people will pay you. But if you are good at selling you might be able to do it anyways. As an aside I think ethnic medicines are difficult to pass as authentic when you don't belong to that ethnic group.
918363
Interesting question...\n\nIn western society, we certainly live in an artificial world supported by technology. Technology allows instant gratification, more convenience, and a faster pace of life. Some homes have so many appliances, that if the electricity goes off, people can't do anything... wash, cook, heat/cool the rooms. That is rather dependent, I'd say!  And there is an obsession with technology trying to control nature through genetically modifying plants and animals.  Bigger, newer, and more profitable are seen as better.\n\nI see medicine as a branch of technology. It depends on what you are trying to accomplish... save a life, create comfort, or do a facelift for a celebrity, or whatever.\n\nReligion fills a basic human need to believe (or not, if you wish). I think religions which are based on a respect for nature (such as those of many indigenous peoples)  are not obsessions in the sense that you are using. It's hard to generalize about religion when there are so many different types in the world.
483459
I think all natural drugs are better than manmade - shrooms are natural too. But, everything in moderation! The reason why it's illegal is because the drug companies and the government can't harness it and make money off of it.
745137
There are many natural products and healing techniques which can help to heal many  conditions without the use of overpriced and over-prescribed drugs. I would suggest a Web site that gave me many answers and a pleasure to explore--www. Reiki Nurse. com/ Natural Antibiotics
346302
In reality they both work well, depending on what they are used for.  Alternative Medicine works great for chronic problems (arthritis, high blood pressure, etc), orthodox works great for acute ones (broken bones, etc.)  I always recommend orthodox for health-impacting problems first, then alternative to correct the underlying problem.  For chronic problems not life threatening, Alt Med works the best over time.
128060
I would have to say the benefit would be better health.  You can't just take medical advice at face value anymore.  You have medical doctors out there who are simply licensed drug dealers.  They feel that the cure to everything is in a bottle.\n\nThe truth is that the best medicine is the natural therapies and you have to do research to make sure that you have found the right practitioner.\n\nDr. of Holistic Medicine are curing diseases that Medical Dr.s say are uncurable every day from Cancer right up to Auto-immune diseases.
618722
No that's ridiculous, use conventional medicine.
79753
They do it to make you, the consumer, spend lots of unnecessary money on things you don't need, and also to make you feel like they are doing something to help you! My doctor used to do that with me, until one day, I was very upfront with him. He doesn't prescribe anything for my family or me without us actually needing it.
489040
lots of people, especially the medicine manufacturers. snake venom is the source of a lot of medicines.